sioux falls,bad things ? (Tea, White: credit card, hotel, homes)

[Jammie]

"bad points weather is a major one. The wind never seems to stop blowing. Winter is cold, snow, and my favorite one freezing rain." Unquote


Yup, I'm not a fan of the So. Dak. winters either.

[geraldboxer]

You state that summers can be hot and humid. I know that it can get very hot in Sioux Falls. Why can the summers be humid? Does moisture from the Gulf of Mexico reach as far north as Sioux Falls? Is the high summer humidity due to evaporation of water after a rainfall? Are most of the summer days each year humid? What is the worst month for heat and humidity there? (I am thinking of relocating and this is an important factor for me.)

[Jammie]

We do have some hot and humid days in So. Dak., but when you consider the humidity in most of the country, we're pretty low on the scale. Our temps can get pretty high, but all we have to do is get on an airplane in Sioux Falls and go to Orlando and step off the plane to feel what humidity really is. In fact the area West River is considered to be a semi-arid climate. We have very few days that have the humidity that you're probably thinking of. July and Aug. are our hottest months. You won't need to worry about the heat or humidity. It's the winter that can be the most miserable.

[bacjasmine]

Hi. I currently live in Prescott, AZ, originally from Indiana. I'm considering relocation. I visited South Dakota and loved the west side of the state. I have friends in Hot Springs and found the town quite lovely. I was wondering if I could get feed back from those of you who live in these areas. I'm a Registered Nurse and wonder about the healthcare facilities, cost of living, etc. in the area. I haven't researched them myself yet, but wondered from the experiences of those who know them best. I'm a single white female, my son is in college. Any info would be great.
Thanks, Beth

[sdgoldpanner]

Beth,
Arizona, wow, a state I love, next to S Dak! I live in Rapid, (S Dak's Gods Country). Fifteen minutes from downtown Rapid will put you in the middle of the Pines, and fresh air. Winters are not all that bad either. So we have some cold days in winter but it will warm up by the weekend. I honestly think that the climate is really changing in this area. For one thing, we have the Black Hills directly to the West a couple miles. I think they help keep the snow in the hills and most usually blows right over and out into the plains, 50 - 100 miles East of us. The last two years I vividly recall being outside in shirt sleeves both Thanksgiving and Xmas. January & February is the coldest months of the year, and the most probably chance for a heavy snow. I do beleive the Health Care System in Rapid, is 2nd to none. Health Care has really taken off in Rapid the last 5 - 10 years. From RC Regional Hospital and South, is Health Care, Health Care, Health Care. There is no need to go out of state for medical services, and it is still expanding. The Surgery Centers are top notch and the Medical Schools are great. Every different kind of practitioner you can think of, one can find in Rapid. The cost of living, I feel is better than Sioux Falls. Rent can run from $300 - $1500+, it just depends on what you want. Prices are very comparable if not lower than other areas for miscellanous goods. If I could have what I have here, in Arizona, I would consider moving, but I do not think I could better myself! Why Ariz.? I am a metal detector and very serious rock hound and have found some very nice gold nuggets in the desert out there, as well as good rocks. As far as rocks go, the Rapid area is a "Rock Hunters Paradise"! I think you would like it here. Hope my thought of the area, helps you.

Bob

Moderator cut: advertising

[Dekell]

Addressing the negatives:

If you come to Sioux Falls for a welcoming warm touch, friendly eyes, nice waitresses, etc, then let me remind you that on an official survey entitled "high blood pressure", Sioux Falls was ranked 93rd angriest city in the country.*

This is because of all the local construction with roads and highways which causes further LOS D in arterials, which would include 2, 5, and 7pm rushes on Louise/Western/Minnesota/12th/41st streets.

Sioux Falls was also ranked higher then New York for crimes because of a lot of local accidents and attempted murders, I kid you not when the worst places of Sioux Falls often generates a lot of near-fatal assaults per month (mostly internal conflict in the neighborhoods).

Not saying that you're going to get shot walking down 12th, you're more likely to get hit by a chicken falling from a plane, or get pelted with eggs, then to get shot in an alleyway in new york.

Another problem in a lot of modern metros, including SF, but not Rapid City, is the impressive-yet-sickly feeling from the endless rows of temporary art-deco buildings (Strip malls, apartments, some houses, lighting, other esthetics) often found on any of the newer parts of the city outside the interstate.

Addressing the positives:

The funny part about the angriest people is that they're probably long-time or inbred Sioux Fall'er, and most of the nicest people are probably the newest to the city and are just picking up on the whole thing.

Sioux Falls is very well planned and managed and is very beautiful with every seasonal transition, there's a lot to do if you're a particularly quiet, isolated person, and according to Forbes magazine, because Sioux Falls is the best metro in the united states for small business and entrepreneurs, alienation is to a minimum because nobody will question your actions or get in your way for doing something.

One of my relatives did in fact live in one of the more "ghetto" areas of Sioux Falls during the 90's, in a dirty, old, rickety duplex, and there's definitely a questionable crowd and even a drug bust downstairs, it was again all internal and she never actually had any trouble what so ever living there, except for maybe a few guys who hang around the laundromat, the police are incredibly reliable and pack a lot of spunk and experience.

If you're just moving to Sioux Falls by the end of this year or the beginning of next year, you've just caught us building some of our biggest roads and highways up on the northwest corner of the city, and so far it's quite
esthetically pleasing at night.

Good healthcare, good parks, maybe some stink from the John Morrells if you're downwind, but it's all tolerable. Mediocre schools and some interesting entertainment.

And for any of you planning buffs out there, I came across a PDF drawn by city planners this year who were outlining another highway ring around the new sections of town, to be built within the next 20 years.

*http://www.wsmv.com/health/9681978/detail.html

[ead462]

Dekell, that was one of the most accurate interpretations of Sioux Falls. I agree with most of what you said. Thanks.

[lcb]

Dekell, please don't forget to put your statistics on the crime and "anger" in Sioux Falls into context. Are your statistics on crime per capita or increase/decrease verses the previous year? If Sioux Falls had 1 murder in the previous reporting period and had 2 in the current period, their statistics would be alarming. And don't forget to compare violent crime against crime in general (like rape or murder against smashed pumpkins on the door step or having the paint on your car "key-ed").

I seem to recall the major network news morning anchors being absolutely flabbergasted at New York's "friendly" rating. Similarly, I was surprised at Sioux Falls' "angry" rating. I have never been flipped off in Sioux Falls for my slow and cautious driving but would expect that in most major cities in the US (definitely in Chicago!).

Being from one of South Dakota's small towns, I find Sioux Falls traffic miserable. You have accurately pegged the worst spots for congestion.

Honestly, Sioux Falls is not a fair depiction of South Dakota in general. Personally, it seems to me that the Argus Leader and KELO tv have no idea that there is anything else in South Dakota but Sioux Falls. For the good life, I would suggest that newcomers find a spot 60-90 minutes outside of SF. There they will find the positive benefits of rural, South Dakota life and yet have access to the social/cultural and healthcare benefits of SF. I FAR prefer rural life!

[Dekell]

I never segregated anger and crime, in fact, they're not synonymous in my initial post. But I have to concur to an extent. Most rapes and assaults are domestic or aimed at college students, or just being in an insecure area you're not supposed to be alone in. We're also big on pedophiles and meth labs, but again, all of these things are not directly in your way.

The news networks did make a big deal out of it, as they do with anything in reference to the fair city, but who cares what they think? Experts say the statistics are ballparked and are based on per capita, and don't specify the nature of crimes, just the mere danger.

Sioux Falls is considered one of the top gateways to the new century of Americana, but that doesn't mean you should believe any hype, just take something like this as it is, and that's when you decide how to make it better, and that's what all the city planners are trying to do, and succeeding only at an agonizing rate.

Smaller towns might have nice smiles and a few good things to say, but that's not necessarily a proposition that'd improve your life, that's deflecting the negatives of sioux falls and prescribing something that doesn't help it at all.

[wantoutoftexas]

with so many people asking questions on Sioux Falls, I thought I would bring this one back up, because everyone provided a lot of useful info for me...I should be moving there
next summer