For many people, the best reason is to raise children. As the annual Kids Count survey showed again last week, the environment for young people is excellent, third best in the nation, according to the statistics. Schools are safe and effective. Family life is celebrated. Crime is reasonably under control.
Health care is good.
Those conditions aren't universal. There are large disparities between conditions in the cities and in the countryside, and large disparities among white settlements and the American Indian reservations. But for many children in North Dakota, growing up will be safe, secure and promising. At least, it will be promising if their plans call for them to leave the state after high school or graduation, as far too many of them do, in search of opportunity in the Twin Cities, Seattle, Denver and points beyond. For many of them, it's not just a job but escape.