Wanting to Move to rapid City (Rapid Valley, Sturgis: apartment, condo, crime)
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Rapid City is characterized by a "chinook" or warm air layer in the winter. Some air current phenomenon. You'll hear of snow storms and cold temperatures around the uppper midwest. But Rapid City has this chinook come in January or February for a week to a month. Temperatures can be in the 50s to 70s. On the downside, the snow and ice melts causing floods. Rapid City is subject to floods from Rapid Creek that runs through the city.
Wife and I thoroughly researched living in Rapid City several years ago. When searching for a home, we found huge price differences. North side has the classy homes, including those set on the side of hills. South side has houses way too close together and mostly rundown, small houses built in the 40s and 50s.
So the weird climate, subject to floods and substandard housing for our middle class budge keep us where we're at in an adjoining state. Our house is paid for. We live near a wooded area, several lakes and moderate, predicatable climate.
Rapid City is characterized by a "chinook" or warm air layer in the winter. Some air current phenomenon. You'll hear of snow storms and cold temperatures around the uppper midwest. But Rapid City has this chinook come in January or February for a week to a month. Temperatures can be in the 50s to 70s. On the downside, the snow and ice melts causing floods. Rapid City is subject to floods from Rapid Creek that runs through the city.
Wife and I thoroughly researched living in Rapid City several years ago. When searching for a home, we found huge price differences. North side has the classy homes, including those set on the side of hills. South side has houses way too close together and mostly rundown, small houses built in the 40s and 50s.
So the weird climate, subject to floods and substandard housing for our middle class budge keep us where we're at in an adjoining state. Our house is paid for. We live near a wooded area, several lakes and moderate, predicatable climate.
I have lived here for over 20 years and Rapid Creek has only came over it's banks a few times. There was a major flood in 1974 but that area is now a "no-build" zone so flooding in residential areas is not a problem.
I think you have your sides of town confused. The West side has the classier houses. Some areas of both north, south and Rapid Valley have issues but there is also a LOT of new housing being built.
Yes, I remember the Flood of '72. We were out there just a few days after it happened. One of the things about it though~it was believed it may have happened because they had been seeding the clouds at that time.
On June 9th, 1972 I lived right on the other side of the creek from the Fish Hatchery. Yup, I remember that one well.
There's a slight problem. At that time, the Mayor claimed an area 3 blocks on either side of the creek as a flood zone and condemed the land. He said that nobody would every build there again. It would forever be a park, all the way through the city.
The last two Mayor's have started selling that land again. First they condem it, then when the price is good, they start selling it again.
There has not been any type of flooding in Rapid City since the flood in '72 and flooding has a recurring chance of once every 500 years!
I agree that you have your sides of town mixed up too. The south and west areas of Rapid City are considered the rich areas while the northside, downtown, and parts of Rapid Valley are considered undesirable.
The south and west areas of Rapid City are considered the rich areas while the northside, downtown, and parts of Rapid Valley are considered undesirable.
Well danny, that doesn't leave much of Rapid City desirable. Is this your personal opinion on areas in the town?
Considering most people who live in the Valey, northside, and downtown areas constantly go on about how they wished they lived in the south and west parts of Rapid City, I would say that is most everybody's opinion.
My grandma lives in North Rapid City... she likes it fine but where would she like to live? Terracita Hills or Red Rock.
My grandma lives in North Rapid too. he he. My sister lived in Rapid Valley and she liked it just fine. My parents and my aunt live on the west side (my parents actually live out of town, Whispering Pines development), and I have never heard any of them complain about where they live. My best friend lives on the south side and her neighborhood seems ok, but she says she wants to move to a different part of town.
I grew up in Rapid City and most of my family lives there. It is a nice place, I'd move back there in a heartbeat if my husband could get a job there. My little sister went to an after school program at her school called KidStop, I think it was put on by the YMCA. Not sure if they have that anymore though as she is 16.
Hi Angelspa,Could I get some info on Rapid City too. I'm looking to move by around next May and I am 45yrs old, no kids and a CPA. Low crime there isn't? Here in Greensboro, NC we just had our 31ist murder yesterday and gangs and drugs are taking over. My friend at work had his SUV stolen saturday night while he was sleeping. I 've had it, I'm getting out. I have an aunt in Spearfish who loves it and I have been to SD on vacations numerous times and loved it as well. Winter is not a problem because I lived in Anchorage for 7 yrs. Thank you!
What kind of information would do you want on Rapid City? I have lived there since I was two, so I could probably let you in on a few things about the area and help you find a place to settle into.
Keep me posted!
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