Looking to relocate to Mitchell (Sioux Falls, Alexandria: appointed, homeowners insurance, house)

[Newman Fan]

Me my wife and 3 kids ages 17,10,8 all boys. We plan to sell our house here in Florida, and buy a house in Mitchell. How are the schools there? I am a truck driver are there any driving jobs there? My wife plans on retiring from law enforcement.

[Jammie]

Hi Newman. Finally, someone wanting to move to the town I live in. We have a very good school system here. (They make me say that because I work there) Seriously, Mitchell has a very good school system and I don't think you'll be disappointed in it. If you have any more questions, I'll try to help with whatever I can. Welcome to Mitchell!!!

[Newman Fan]

Thank you Jammie. Is there work there. If not, how about in the other towns? We do have a good friend that lives in Emery. And she told us about Mitchell. I have did a little research and found Mitchell is growing.

[Jammie]

HI Newman, we used to live about 8 miles from Emery in a town called Alexandria. Very nice little towns, but there are no jobs there and a lot of people have to commute over here to Mitchell. Mitchell is about 12 miles from Alexandria and probably 20 miles from Emery. It doesn't sound far, but it's not fun driving in snow storms and on icy roads. Both of these towns require trips to Mitchell for shopping. I don't mean casual shopping, I mean groceries, etc.

Mitchell does have a lot of jobs. Unfortunately, so many of them have become part time jobs with no benefits. As far as trucking, there are often ads in the paper of employers seeking truck drivers. You may want to check out our local paper. It's called the Daily Republic. You could also check with Job Service or Career Connections here in town. You may be interested in a job at Trail King or something like that. If your wife is looking for full time work with benefits, let me know what she's interested in and I'd probably be of more help to her since I know more about the female jobs here then the male jobs. As far as finding work in any surrounding towns, it's next to impossible. They're all small towns and most of their residents come to Mitchell to work. The only other town in the entire area that has a lot of jobs is Sioux Falls. You would probably not want to commute that far since it's about 70 miles from here. There are a couple of factories in town and a few other possibilities if you don't have any luck with the trucking employment. I hope this helps a bit and if you'd like info on the factories or info on jobs for your wife, let me know. I hope the newspaper will be able to give you a bit of insight, too.

Oh duh, I just noticed that your wife won't be needing a job. Sorry.

[Newman Fan]

Thanks For The Advise. First We Have To Sell Our House Here. We Hope To Relocate Soon. But With The Realty Market Slowing Down Hopefully Next Year Some Time. We Hope To Get Out Of Florida Soon. Weve Lived Here 16 Years And Its Getting Old. To Many Relocaters From The North East.

[Jammie]

Sorry you have to leave the place you've lived in for a long time. It's too bad that it is that way. Both my husband and I have lived here our entire lives and we love it except for the COLD and SNOWY winters. We've been to Fla. several times and we love it down there. We have family there and had been tossing around the idea of moving there when my husband semi-retires. WE're just not sure though because it looks like it may be too expensive for us to live there. The clock is ticking and we'd hate to get ourselves in a financial bind in our mid-life because we'd probably never find our way out of it. I hope everything turns out well for you.

[tugofwargame]

Hey Newman, I just sold my FL property and am also looking to head northwards. Lived here for 30 years, but too expensive now.

Is there a BJs, SuperWalmart, or Costco type store in Mitchell.
How's the high speed internet service and cell phone service in the area?
Anyone know how far out of town high speed internet goes?

[Jammie]

Hi Tug, Yes, Mitchell has a SuperWalmart Store, but not the other two you mentioned. We have a Kmart, Walgreens, Shopko, Penneys, SuperWalmart, plus many other stores. The cell service in Mitchell area is very good, but when you get into some of the smaller towns, they don't work well, but I believe they're working on putting up more towers all the time.

High speed internet service is available in Mitchell, but I couldn't tell you how far out of town it goes. Midcontinent is in the process of laying cable and offering digitial high speed. We have all the amenities you'll need here so come on up.

By the way, where did you live in Fla? We've been down there several times since we have family down there. Fla. has some very nice places. We especially like Seaworld and Cypress Gardens. I love Florida, but just don't think we could afford to live there.

[ddd5977]

there is someone in mt vernon who converts gas engines to e85 does anyone know who it is?

[tugofwargame]

Thanks Jammie. Maybe will have to look into microwave then.

Homestead, FL (south of Miami)

Central FL growing rapidly. It is too expensive now (property taxes and homeowners insurance, or should I say the what we don't insure insurance). I got hit by 2 hurricanes last year, $40k in damage and got zero from the insuance company... they have it rigged pretty good on how to avoid paying out much. I realize they are in a business, but the force me to be insured for earthquakes and volcanoes (in south florida????) and won't let me drop the hurricane coverage (that way they get max premiums....) Yikes !!!

Many other negatives to living down this far south.

One thing, up north when it is cold, you can keep piling on more clothes and blankets, down here you can only take off so many clothes when the temps get unbearable. LOL