Relocating to a new city comes with a checklist, and most of it is the same tedious set of tasks no matter where you land: set up utilities, sort out your license and registration, figure out how the local systems work. This guide covers the Valley City specifics so you can handle the move without guessing.

We are Valley Bridges Properties, and we manage rentals across Valley City. Once you have a place lined up, the steps below walk through what actually needs to happen. Browse our available rentals to get the first part sorted.

Setting Up Utilities

Valley City keeps this simpler than most cities. Electric, water, sewer, and sanitation all run through a single provider, Valley City Public Works, rather than a handful of separate companies. The office sits at 220 3rd St NE and can be reached at 701-845-0380.

Every new resident needs to complete a service application before utilities are turned on, and this applies whether you are renting or buying. The application can be done in person during office hours or submitted ahead of your move. Office hours run Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5pm and Friday from 8am to 4pm. Getting this started before your move-in date means you are not spending your first night without power or water.

Natural gas for heating is billed separately from the city utilities, so you will set that up through the regional gas provider. Internet and cable also run through private providers, and availability varies by address, so confirming what serves your specific building is worth doing early.

Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration

North Dakota gives new residents 90 days to transfer an out-of-state driver’s license and register their vehicles. Both have to be done in person, and both run through the North Dakota Department of Transportation rather than a separate DMV.

The Valley City Motor Vehicle Office is at 250 W. Main St. For your license transfer, bring your current out-of-state license and a document proving your Social Security number. For vehicle registration, you will need the vehicle title, your current out-of-state registration, a valid ID, and you will need to complete a VIN inspection on the vehicle. All owners listed on the title must be present, or provide a power of attorney for anyone who cannot be.

A car is not optional in Valley City. There is no public transit system, so handling your registration promptly matters more here than in a city where you could get by on transit while you sort it out.

Registering to Vote

Here is something that surprises nearly everyone moving to North Dakota: the state does not require voter registration. North Dakota is the only state in the country that does not register voters at all. To vote in Valley City, you simply show up at your polling place with a valid ID that shows your name, current residential address, and date of birth.

A North Dakota driver’s license or state ID with your Valley City address covers this completely. There is no registration form to fill out and no deadline to meet ahead of an election, which removes one task from the usual relocation checklist entirely.

Preparing for the Winter

If you are moving from a warmer climate, the single most important thing to understand about Valley City is the winter. It runs from November through April and includes stretches of severe cold, wind, and the occasional blizzard. Preparing for it is not optional.

Before your first winter, confirm your rental’s heating system and who to call if it fails. Make sure you know where the main water shutoff valve is in case a pipe freezes. If your unit has a garage, find out whether it is heated. And plan to keep the heat set to at least 55 degrees any time you leave for an extended period, since turning it off entirely is the most common cause of burst pipes. 

Valley City Public Works handles snow clearing on city streets, but private driveways and walkways are typically the responsibility of the tenant or landlord depending on the lease, so confirm that arrangement before the first snow.

Getting to Know the City

Valley City is the county seat of Barnes County and sits about 60 miles west of Fargo on I-94. The city covers a compact 4.3 square miles, and the average commute across town runs 8 minutes, so orienting yourself does not take long.

The core institutions are easy to locate. Valley City State University anchors the southwest side at 101 College St SW. CHI Mercy Health at 570 Chautauqua Blvd handles local healthcare. Downtown Central Avenue holds the shops, restaurants, and services, along with the community events that run through the year. 

Once you have your utilities on and your registration handled, the rest of settling in is a matter of learning the streets, which in a city this size happens quickly.

Ready to Make the Move to Valley City?

The logistics of relocating are easier when the rental itself is handled by a team that knows the city and answers the phone. We manage apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes across Valley City, and we can walk you through what fits your situation before you commit to the move.

We have been in property management since 1985 and know Valley City well enough to make the housing side of your relocation the simplest part. Browse our available properties and get started at Valley Bridges Properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set up utilities when moving to Valley City, ND? 

Electric, water, sewer, and sanitation in Valley City all run through a single provider, Valley City Public Works, located at 220 3rd St NE. Every new resident, renting or buying, must complete a service application before utilities are turned on. Natural gas for heating is billed separately through the regional gas provider.

How long do I have to register my car after moving to North Dakota? 

North Dakota gives new residents 90 days to register an out-of-state vehicle and transfer their driver’s license. Both must be done in person through the North Dakota Department of Transportation. The Valley City Motor Vehicle Office is at 250 W. Main St, and vehicle registration requires a VIN inspection.

Do I need to register to vote in North Dakota? 

No. North Dakota is the only state in the country that does not require voter registration. To vote in Valley City, you bring a valid ID showing your name, current residential address, and date of birth to your polling place. A North Dakota license or state ID with your local address is sufficient.

Do I need a car to live in Valley City?

Yes. Valley City has no public transit system, so a car is necessary for daily life. The city is compact at 4.3 square miles with an average commute of 8 minutes, which keeps driving distances short once you are set up.

What should I do to prepare for winter in Valley City? 

Before your first winter, confirm your rental’s heating system and emergency repair contact, locate the main water shutoff valve, find out whether any garage is heated, and plan to keep the heat at a minimum of 55 degrees when away to prevent frozen pipes. Confirm whether snow removal for your driveway and walkways falls to you or the landlord.