I left California for North Dakota. It's obscenely cheap and there's so much to love about small-town life.

Tue, 10/10/2023 - 11:12

Davrick Hayes outdoors in Bismarck, North Dakota. — Davrick Hayes says he's enjoyed his time in North Dakota, but doesn't plan on staying.
DeuBetter Branding & Media

Davrick Hayes left LA for Bismarck, North Dakota after he started experiencing panic attacks.
Hayes says it's nice to be able to afford things, since moving to Bismarck.
Though he enjoys living in Bismarck, Hayes says it lacks diversity and he plans to eventually leave.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Davrick Hayes, a 31-year-old quality assurance analyst and entrepreneur based in Bismarck, North Dakota. It's been edited for length and clarity.