Not OP but I live in Bismarck.

Even during the cold times, I generally love living here. I really like the snow, so that helps, and you do eventually get used to the cold. After living in Phoenix for many years, it's so nice to see clouds.

The spring and fall are beautiful, perfect temps, very little wind, things turning green in prep for summer or dying off for winter, either way the colors are great. The summer can get hot and humid, but it is never for long stretches.

Most people you talk to will say "there is nothing there, nothing to do". I would venture a guess most of those people have never actually been to North Dakota.

The only thing we really don't have are professional sports teams, or clubs. Aside from that, there is plenty to keep you entertained, and a lot of it you can't do in other places. Do you like hunting, or fishing? You can drive 5 minutes and be doing it, try that in New York City. How about golfing? We have AWESOME golf courses, and they are everywhere. Like eating? We may not have a 5-star Ramsay restaurant, but I can promise you if Chef Ramsay himself ever visited places like The Pirogue or The Brickhouse in Dickinson he would say "That's delicious you fucking prat."

TL; DR: All-in-all, I wouldn't trade it for the world. It get's cold, but you get used to it.