North Dakota and our small towns have long had a problem of out-migration. And it’s not just our young people; when they get married and start having kids, the grandparents often follow. It’s a double-edged sword that cuts both talent, youthful exuberance, and experience from our communities. Measured over decades and in aggregate, these are not insignificant loses.
But is it possible that the narrative is changing? If so, it’s hard to see in in the day-to-day minutia of our lives, but when you catch up with stories like this one recently published on VOX, you can’t help but wonder if the seeds of planting a more rural life aren’t starting to take root. Check out the article linked below for Nicole Drieker’s story of leaving the coast for the comforts of flyover country, and take special note her call-out to seeking a place that appreciates and encourages the creative nature of her work.
