BLOG

It might seem an odd time in the middle of a global health pandemic to release a list of the best places to live, but for the past seven years, Livability.com has released a data-driven list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in America and 2020 was certainly not going to be the exception. From the original article: Every year, the list changes: we do surveys and studies, adjust our algorithm, add in new variables and data points, and celebrate a new #1 city. This year, the whole world changed. In 2020, many of the things that used to be a given about where and how we live suddenly became open-ended questions: What if you could work remotely and live anywhere? What if paying thousands of dollars a month to live in a big, expensive city wasn’t worth it anymore? What if the things that have always mattered — affordability, opportunity, safety, community — mattered more than ever? Right now, millions of people are reevaluating where they want to live. If you’re one of them, this list is for you. We analyzed more than 1,000 small to mid-sized cities on factors like safety, affordability, economic stability, outdoor recreation, accessibility and community engagement. This year’s list was also informed by a new metric: an “opportunity score” we used to determine each city’s landscape of opportunity, including variables like job numbers, broadband access, economic resilience and growth. Fargo: #8 Best Place to Live It’s no secret that Fargo is thriving. This tight-knit community in eastern North Dakota, often mentioned alongside its sister city, Moorhead, MN, has it all — an affordable cost of living, a vibrant economy and a family-friendly vibe running through everything in town. Unemployment is low and jobs are plentiful in fields like education, technology, manufacturing and healthcare. Plus, it never feels crowded in Fargo, thanks to an abundance of parks and green space. Top Industries and Employers: Healthcare, education and manufacturing. Plus, agricultural and food processing facilities. Best Coffee Shop: Young Blood Coffee Best Local Beer/Brewery: Drekker Brewing Company, which is located inside a renovated railroad shop that dates back to 1883. Must-Have Meal: Bison meatballs from Maxwell’s Restaurant & Bar Best Co-Working Space: The Prairie Den, located inside a historic bank building in downtown Fargo. Best Meetup Spot (When Meeting Up Is a Thing Again): Mezzaluna, an upscale restaurant inside a renovated 1917 warehouse where locals go for awesome happy hour deals. Creative Hub: Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre, a community hub for all things theatre, including talent shows, murder mystery dinner shows, fundraisers, classes and workshops. Favorite Weekend Activity: If they’re not tailgating for North Dakota State University football games, Fargo residents are either bicycling the more than 200 miles of trails in the region or kayaking on the Red River. Free Way to Have Fun: Stroll through the Red River Market before heading to the Plains Art Museum, which has impressive exhibits and collections to peruse. Local Dream Job: It gets cold in Fargo. Really cold. So the folks here decided to start a festival called Frostival, which celebrates all things chilly, icy, snowy and frozen. Who wouldn’t want to be in charge of something so cool? (Pun intended!) Bismarck: #14 Best Place to Live People are flocking to Bismarck, the capital city of North Dakota, thanks to its low cost of living, low unemployment rate and family-friendly amenities. The city, home to roughly 73,000 residents, is expected to continue to grow as more and more people seek out this vibrant community with a friendly, hard-working attitude. It’s got state-of-the-art healthcare offerings, very little crime, great schools and tons of art, history and recreation options. Top Industries and Employers: Healthcare, education and government Best Coffee Shop: Grab a lavender latte at Terra Nomad, which also offers mouth-watering pastries and brunch dishes like “Sloppy Scones,” made with a cheddar scone, two eggs, gravy, bacon bits and scallions. Best Local Beer/Brewery: Laughing Sun Brewing Co. Must-Have Meal: A pizza followed by gelato from Fireflour Pizza Best Co-Working Space: Juniper Workantile, which offers day passes for just $10 and is conveniently located right downtown. Best Meetup Spot (When Meeting Up Is a Thing Again): Blarney Stone Pub, a cozy spot with delicious Irish fare and great happy hour deals. Creative Hub: Bismarck Downtown Artist Cooperative, which offers exhibits and art classes for all ages. Favorite Weekend Activity: Hiking, biking, camping, fishing or riding horses at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, the oldest state park in North Dakota. Free Way to Have Fun: Exploring the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, which offers free admission and has tons of interesting exhibits about North Dakota history, art, birds and more. Local Dream Job: Fishing guide, so you can spend as much time as possible on the Missouri River.

Here’s the truth: we’re as nervous and unsure about what lays ahead as anyone, but we’re sticking together, supporting one another and doing our part to stay positive and be a resource to anyone who may need. As part of that effort, we’ve realigned many of our priorities and as a company are focused on being a reliable, calm and steady resource for information and support. Yes, we’re a Property Manager, and we are continuing to provide rental homes for people in need of a place to hunker down… BUT, there’s more we can do during this time of shared commiseration, and we’re not ones to sit around idled. So, we’re using this blog post as the one-stop hub of info that we uncover, including helpful resources, tips and anything else we find to be a helpful distraction. We’ll update this weekly (at least), and if you find something that should be included, please send it to Bree at bree@verityhomes.com and she’ll get it added. Life will be disrupted for a period, giving us opportunities to be human and to be good humans and to help your neighbor and each other. Time to slow down and re-discover what it is like to be an American. Fortunately, we are in the best country in the world to go through something like this. Take pride in that and do your part. For now, we urge you to join us in staying calm and positive. Take this time to fall back in love with your spouse. To bond with your children, pets, or to pick up that hobby you dropped years ago. Take a walk and get some fresh air and sunlight. Get plenty of sleep and rest. Meditation can help calm your mind. I encourage you to practice it daily. Drink plenty of water. Be socially responsible and follow the recommendations of the CDC and local/state/fed for social separation and wellness. Together, we will find the delicate balance between economic, moral, and ethical responsibilities. You are part of the Gold Star family. We are here to help along the way. Just ask 🙂 Financial Resources (Newly Added Updates Will Always Appear at the Top of this List) Check on the status of your Economic Impact Payment: The IRS is committed to helping you get your Economic Impact Payment as soon as possible. The payments, also referred to by some as stimulus payments, are automatic for most taxpayers. No further action is needed by taxpayers who filed tax returns in 2018 and 2019 and most seniors and retirees. Click here to check your status: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments For employees who have been laid off get your claim filed for unemploy ment insurance immediately. If the automated system denies the person for eligibility, they should file an appeal as the system continues to be updated to meet the new requirements for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Daily updated FAQ sheet can be found here For self-employed business, independent contracts and gig-economy workers, the unemployment system is being updated with the hopes of having it online this week so these North Dakotans can file under Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Daily updated FAQ sheet can be found here . All businesses should contact their lender immediately to inform them of their interest in exploring options for relief through the Small Business Administration so they are in the queue. Funds to assist with payroll, employee health insurance, rent and utilities will be made available by the SBA through local lenders with no fees paid by the business. Businesses may be eligible for additional loans, which their lenders are all being educated on this week. Again, they should contact their local lender for assistance. Here is the Dept of Commerce’s COVID Resource page . Covid-19 frequently asked questions andadditional resources available along with fact based information. https://ndresponse.gov/covid-19-resources/covid-19-faqs The government has set up Benefits.gov , which walks users through various options for benefits and relief during the coronavirus outbreak. The site even has a questionnaire aimed at helping users find which benefits apply to them. For those that have lost their job, the Department of Labor offers unemployment benefits, which could include extra disaster unemployment assistance. The U.S. Small Business Association is prepared to help small business and non-profit owners affected by the viral outbreak, offering loans with low interest for up to $2 million in 30 states and Washington D.C. Tipped and service workers have the option to turn to One Fair Wage if they’ve been affected by the coronavirus. CORE , an organization dedicated to providing resources and support to food and beverage service employees with young ones at home, is offering financial assistance to individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19. Medical documentation is required Restaurants Care currently has grants available for those diagnosed with coronavirus, their caregivers and their immediate family members. The Bartender Emergency Assistance Program is offering grants to bartenders or their children that “lack the necessities of life” in times of crisis. The National Domestic Workers Alliance is in high gear and has set up a fund for in-home workers such as nannies and home cleaners. Fannie Mae mortgage forbearance, etc. info on deferred or other options to delay or extend mortgage payments – https://www.knowyouroptions.com/covid19assistance IT/Computer protection: https://petracoach.com/the-four-steps-your-company-must-take-to-ensure-your-data-is-protected/ FDIC Banking FAQ’s – https://www.fdic.gov/coronavirus/faq-customer.pdf SBA Loans Resource Page – https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources Health & Fitness DOWNLOAD: AT HOME HEALTH & FITNESS SURVIVAL GUIDE (1) We’re lucky to have TWO members of the Verity Homes team (our partner home building company) that are also personal trainers and health & fitness experts. Jeff Davis put together the above exhaustive guide to working out at home… while all the gyms are closed! Crocs announced that it will give away a free pair of clogs—either a Crocs at Work or Classic Crocs style—along with free shipping to medical professionals who can request a pair on the brand’s website . The company says it is prepared to donate 10,000 shoes a day through requests on its website, and also send 100,000 pairs to healthcare institutions around the country that have described a need for footwear. On Wednesday, Crocs hit its daily free pair limit. It is asking medical workers to come back at noon every day to get in line for their free pair. Working out in apartment without making a lot of noise – https://www.tworepcave.com/11161/how-to-work-out-in-an-apartment-without-making-a-racket/ Mental health – MUST READ: https://hbr.org/2020/03/why-leaders-need-meditation-now-more-than-ever 305 Fitness: 305 Fitness, which boasts dance cardio workouts, has a variety of free workout videos on its YouTube channel . CorePower Yoga: CorePower Yoga is offering free online classes on its CorePower Yoga On Demand site . If you don’t want to face the stores or the crowds call Perkins South Bismarck for the availability of the items below. They restock every Thursday! Payments are taken over the phone or when you arrive by car side. 701-221-3112 Entertainment HBO : Beginning Friday, April 3, HBO will be making 500 hours of programming available for free via HBO Now and HBO GO. You don’t need a subscription. Series include “Six Feet Under,” “The Sopranos,” “True Blood,” “Veep,” “The Wire.” Documentaries like “The Apollo,” “I Love You, Now Die,” “United Skates” and movies such as “Isn’t It Romantic,” “Detective Pikachu” and lots more. Viewers will need to download the HBO NOW or HBO GO apps or visit HBONOW.com or HBOGO.com . SiriusXM : SiriusXM has made its 300-plus channel streaming service available for free in North America through May 15. The free package includes all ad-free music channels, live news, faith-based content, comedy, sports talk, politics, and on-demand content. Starting today, a new #StayHome Radio channel will play “happy, feel-good music” from artists like Lizzo and Coldplay to Pink and Bob Marley, SiriusXM said. Anyone who’s not already a SiriusXM subscriber can download the SiriusXM app or go to SiriusXM.com/streamfree , and start listening free of charge, with no credit card or commitment required. Amazon.com : Audible launched a free collection of audiobooks for children that can be streamed on users’ desktops, laptops, phones, and tablets. Amazon’s Kindle is offering two free months to its unlimited e-book service to new users. At Work LinkedIn : Employees who are now working from home can access 16 of LinkedIn’s online learning courses . The courses cover everything from tips for leading video conferences to advice on how to best work from home. Adobe : Adobe is supporting educators and students with free at-home access to its Creative Cloud applications online after thousands of schools switched to online learning to combat the coronavirus spread. Adobe’s current global higher education and K-12 institution customers are able to request at-home access, which will be granted until May 31, 2020. It’s also offering free 90-day access to its web conferencing tool, Adobe Connect, for both current subscribers and non-customers, until July 1, 2020. Microsoft said it will limit restrictions on its free version of its collaborative communications tool, Teams. It’s also offering a six-month free trial for some of its basic package of Office 365 enterprise products to businesses that reach out to a Microsoft partner or sales representative . “By making Teams available to as many people as possible, Microsoft’s hope is that they can support public health and safety by making remote work even easier,” a Microsoft spokesperson said.

Did you know that Gold Star Property is a partnership company to our building company, Verity Homes that builds BRAND new homes? Just for renting with Gold Star Property we are offering you our VIP rental referral program! Refer a friend or family member that you know is looking for a new home and get some SWEET kick backs from Verity Homes when they purchase and close on a home with us! First referral Verity Homes will give you a $1000, Second referral $2000, Third referral $3000, and Fourth referral you get a FOUR day vacation package for 2!