Eureka, South Dakota (Aberdeen, Selby, Bowdle: real estate, city hall, to rent)

[Haunting Morgana]

Hello!

Well, I've decided that I'll be moving to Eureka, South Dakota.

They seem to have everything right in town. Grocery, pet groomer, vet, pretty much everything.

As far as home goes, I've narrowed it down to 4 choices. I'll be getting a call from the realtor on Monday with more info on each one, and decide from there.

I do know that some are located in the south part of town. He kind of stated that this 1 house was in the southern part of town, but then he said that shouldnt be a problem. Well, I'm kind of lost as to what was meant by that.

It does seem to have very little crime there.

I'm concerned about flooding there though. But, from what I've heard thus far, it should be fine.

I also plan on getting another home after I arrive there and renting it out. I figure that should help with income. Good idea or a bad idea? I feel that it is best to get others input on issues and things.

Well, thank you! This site/forum is the best. So much information here and peoples advice and info.

Michael.

[jessizadorable]

Eureka is not a very large town...I didn't even realize they listed real estate as being "north" or "south" there...that town is pretty small. None of the houses you're looking at will be far apart at all unless they're in the country. Flooding generally isn't a problem if you're smart (i.e. if you don't buy a house in a swamp or a valley). Flooding has only been a problem really this summer with the freakish amounts of rainfall SD has been getting.

Don't know how many people you will find who want to rent a house in Eureka. There aren't many jobs in town and as I said, it's a small town. You might be able to find a commuter or someone who rents...but don't count on renting a home right away or forever. It's not a big money-maker in small towns. It's a good move in say Aberdeen where you have a pretty big college population though.

Just my opinion from 20+ years of living and growing up in SD. Eureka is really a nice town...I'm just afraid you're perceiving it as larger than it actually is. It is a great town though...I had a few friends in Eureka when I lived in SD. There is very little crime, probably because there are very few people. Best of luck with your house hunt, your move, and anything else that you stumble upon in SD. I loved living in SD for the years I was there.

[derrick_debaere9009]

i visit erueka a couple times a yr cuz i have family up there it is a really nice town everyone there is really nice n welcoming 4 shopping n stuff u will have to go to aberdeen idk if u will b able to find a job

[Chris19]

I have visited Eureka a number of times when my great-grandparents were alive and had fond memories of it. The people are friendly. Coming from a smaller town, it takes time to get to know the people and for them to get to know you. It has a lot of interesting history. The area was settled by German-Russian immigrants, including some of my ancestors, in the late 1800s. Try the German food, especially the Kuchen (a coffee cake with custard. It is good. My favorite type is the chocolate chip, but there are many other good flavors.

The main disadvantage is it being distant from larger communities. Aberdeen, a community of 24,000 to 25,000 residents, is nearly seventy miles away. But the area offers good opportunities for outdoor activities.

I wish you the best of luck in Eureka.

[derrick_debaere9009]

my anut used to run grandmas kuchen b4 she did there did u no by any chance Don Quenzer

[john friske]

Having Been Born & Raised In Eureka.i Can Say That It Really Is A Great Town.good People & A Great Place To Raise Children. The Lake Is A Great Advantage. Our Mom Still Has A House There That She Would Like To Sell Or Rent Out. We Still Get The Hometown Newspaper & It Seems There Is Always Some Activity Going On ...good School Too.....................

[cpsouthdakota]

I was born and raised in Eureka..... it is a great little town! My father still lives there, so we visit quite often. I was happy to get out to the big cities, but know having small children and looking at schooling...I wish our children could have some of the small town advantages. It is very family oriented! Hunting (pheasant and deer) is great! It doesn't matter what part of town you live in, it is all great... no crime! People leave doors unlocked and don't worry about break-ins. I must admit that since it is a small town, seems that everybody knows everybodies business. If you don't mind that then you'd do fine there. Jobs don't pay very well, however housing is VERY reasonable so you can probably pay cash for a house and not worry about a mortgage pmt. We have discussed moving our family back.

[Bowlers End]

A couple of years ago my wife and I took a chance on buying a property in Eureka. We bought it unseen and without any knowledge of the area, from an advert on Ebay! Bad move or stupid - No Way! Since we have been travelling back and forth we have been knocked out by the welcome that we have had from the folks in the town. Nothing is too much trouble and no question is too daft to consider. You are thinking of moving back (you may even have moved already!), go ahead and do it! You won't regret it.

From the City Hall to the Development Committee and all the traders, we have yet to find anyone who did not welcome us with open arms and a friendly greeting.

There are some superb facilities in the city, and not just the recreational areas. I am a high school teacher over here in England and the school in Eureka is one of the best that I have seen in the States for a long time. It has a great atmosphere and seems to have a great team of staff. I teach Engineering in my school and I have to say that the quality of work coming out of the shop is a testament to the skills and dedication of the teacher. I just wish that I had half of that equipment in my school!

Yes, it's a quiet area, but since when has that ever been a bad thing? With friendly folks and a fantastic community spirit there is so much going for it. We feel that we have found a rare jewel in this day and age and we look forward to a long and happy relationship with Eureka and it's people.

David & Erica Beeton

[Hal Evans]

From a cradle South Dakotan, you probably have adapted by now to the charming "Cherman/Roosky-isms" in the area. Viz- "Yahwe live in Eureka-out." Love it! They run words together as one, like "Yahwe." And by now you know that "Eureka-out" is that the folks live in the country outside of the town.

They have some earthy jokes. And are the best talkers I have ever encountered. That whole area of Eureka, Selby, Java, Hosmer and Bowdle were mainly settled by White Russians. So their lingo is part Cherman unt part Rooshun. Accent on the first syllable.

That's very productive farmland, between the Missouri River and the big city of Aberdeen. Where the land is rocky and barren, they raise livestock. Sort of like North Dakota. On and off again production farmland or ranchland.

[Chris19]

Hal, that sounds like my great-grandparents (who passed on a few years ago), grandpa (who lives in Colorado now), great-aunt (who lives in Michigan) and my great-uncle who still farms up there. I agree with the observation on the land. These people knew and were fluent in the Low German. The German that I was taught in my foregin language class in high school was the High German. When I came up to Eureka and spoke a few German phrases to my great grandma, she could understand I what I was saying, but the low German was more blended together than the High German. Nonetheless, she was excited. I loved having those kuchens in Eureka, especially the apple and chocolate chip ones.

A person who I know from college is from the area and he has the common speach of that area. The area is unique, but it is sad to see it slowly lose people over recent decades.