Relocating to Sioux Falls (Brandon, Dell Rapids: sales, renting, income)

[bcrwfan]

Hello everyone. I have read several of the older posts on this issue and have gained alot of knowledge through those. I was hoping to maybe get any recent updates, as it appears the city is doing quite a bit of re-development downtown. Today I accepted a position up in Pipestone MN (about 45 miles to S.F.). My wife and I are in our upper 20's with no kids, moving from St Louis, and have a very contemporary type of lifestyle/taste. Even though we are probably getting too old for it , we still love going out to upscale clubs and trendy restaurants. Consequently, I know that I will have to live nearer to S.F. and have to commute to Pipestone. I said all of that to ask these two questions:

1) In the winter months, are roads cleared well there? I have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, but I'm afraid of living that far from work and possibly somewhat regularly having to drive at very low speeds due to road conditions.

2) How developed is Brandon? Are there many businesses/restaurants there, or am I more likely to have to drive the extra distance and live in Sioux Falls? I was also considering possibly Dell Rapids, but it seems much less developed??

Thanks,
Brad

[SD4020]

Brandon is a splendid little town, that is growing. It is also 5 minutes from Sioux Falls.

When the weather is really bad the roads can be a regular whiz cutter their are more than plenty of crashes and vehicles in the ditches. If people would slow down and not be overconfident in their 4 wheel drive there wouldn't be that many problems. I get along just ducky with a two wheeled drive pickup. Last winter I came across South Dakota and Minnesota with a storm, roads were not good but we made it across in a rear wheeled drive car with no issues.

[Jammie]

Yup, what RJ said. Since you've read some of the older posts, you probably already know my answer.

A 90 mile daily roundtrip during the wintertime can be quite treacherous some days. I wouldn't do it and we also have a 4 wheel drive.

Personally, I'd just live close to work and commute for my entertainment. That way you can pick and choose when to get on the roads. Your life would be much easier that way.

Also, you may want to figure out how you'll turn out with taxes. I'm sure you already know that Mn. has a state income tax and So. Dak. doesn't have one. SO, our property taxes may be higher then in Mn. You could end up with the worst of both worlds~high property tax and a state income tax plus travelling expenses.

[leroyleroux]

Only thing there Jammie is Minnesota doesn't have a sales tax on most items, so you also need to think about that too.

[bcrwfan]

I didn't even consider the tax thing. I will be renting for the 1st year, so at least initially that won't really be a concern, but still an excellent point.

At a minimum, the town that we live in (the wife is pretty particular) is going to need to have at least some of the common chain restaurants, grocery stores, etc. A town with a convenience store and a couple of mom and pop places probably won't cut it. Of the towns between S.F. and Pipestone, which of these might be the most likely to have these amenities? I'm guessing that Brandon does, but what about places like Dell Rapids, Valley Springs, anything along route 11?

Also, is anyone aware of any social networking type groups? Here in St Louis and in many other cities, we have something called the "Young Active Professionals" group that holds happy hour events and things like that.

Thanks again,
Brad

[leroyleroux]

Heh, I've been trying to figure a way to get to St. Louis for years, and you are trying to get out.

[DeadwoodJ]

I'd look at maybe Luverne, Minnesota, it has some 'chain' stores etc and its right on I90 and about 25 minutes to Sioux Falls, and I think about 30-45 minutes to Luverne there is a guy I work with from there that commutes 4 days a week.....