dan

Yes, Fargo. I am a Boston-based consultant and just spent a week in Fargo, North Dakota. If you've seen the movie, then you have a preconception of Fargo. It is only partially accurate.

I flew into Fargo on jet service, connecting through Minneapolis. I was surprised that Fargo is a thriving metropolis, growing, with 3 (or maybe 4??) college/universities in the area.

The Ramada on the west side of Fargo was where I stayed, and was a new, very well appointed hotel with excellent amenities and suites.

People were great, although they had funny accents. I can finally say that about someone else. I always get crap for my accent.

I did most of my work in downtown Fargo, which left alot of be desired. Downtown appears like it was once vibrant, but it is evident that most of the businesses have moved to the outskirts.

The only disappointment were the restaurants. Lots and lots of chain restaurants, and the ones that weren't were all sports pubs. I guess you have to expect it in a college town.

All in all, not a bad little town. My commute back to the airport was a whole 20 minutes, and the cab driver kept telling me how bad the traffic was that day.

Vin

I also have stayed in Fargo. Fargo and the rest of the state gets a lot of crap about being a nowhere place to be.
But who can complain about a low crime rate, high wages, Four colleges, no traffic problems? The only problem I can see is that they have very cold winters...but if someone can't handle that, it isn't the place for them.

this

I am a headhunter, focusing on finance executives. Fargo is a very hard place to get people to relocate, because of the cold. It is also a fairly "unknown" town, something I've also noticed about other good-sized cities like Corpus Christi, Boise, Olympia, and Portland, Maine to name a few. I always advise my clients that if they have concerns about the cold weather, then just look elsewhere.

Bruce

THIS

And they pay you for this advice!!!!!

Ian

I will venture to guess that the biggest reason Dan left Fargo with a more or less favorable impression is that he went in with very low expectations.

One reason people bash San Francisco and LA and such is that they have expectations of the highest order. Any flaw is noted. The good points are taken somewhat for granted.

me

Good point, Ian,

There is so much delusion in the USA about San Francisco, that actually confronting the real city is a slap in the face to the ego... like when you realize you've been swindled in a telemarketing scheme.

LA? Most of it is dull, just lots of miles you have to drive across to get to someplace interesting. But LA does have "nuggets" of interesting, pleasant places, like Westwood on a Saturday night, or Venice Beach by day, or Laguna...