I've been there twice, so am an expert. I mainly met with UND people. Just loved the atmosphere, people, "culture" in terms of non-elitist, get-stuff-done, etc.. The aviation program is bonkers in terms of how comprehensive it is and is only going to get better with the addition of UAV tech - which is already impressive. Visitors from all over the planet are in Grand Forks long-term, learning from the best, commercial, military, ag, etc.. Won't be surprised if UND doesn't cash in on space science in addition to aviation and UAVs in the near future.
Got to go to a hockey game in the crazy/awesome stadium, nicer that most pro hockey stadiums apparently. What a blast!
Insanely cold when I was there and one of the Deans told me "What's nice is that it's so flat that if your dog runs away, you can watch him run for three days". He had just moved there and really liked the people and more relaxed culture.
The above comment about Fargo being an hour away: am always impressed at how underrated Fargo is in terms of a great place to work and visit.
Have a close friend who lived in Jamestown, ND for 15 years, now in Seattle, and wants to move back but his wife would kill him.
My visits were short, freezing and I personally really liked it, wonderful people in Grand Forks and Fargo, so much so that I'm trying to get more work there