Weather and jobs in/near Keystone, SD (Rapid City, Spearfish: homes, employment)

[Lil-Dondi]

Hello. Our family is thinking of moving to Keystone, SD. We eventually will take a trip there to check it out before we move but I would like to gather some more info. I am from Michigan and I have never been to the Dakotas. I am curious about the weather in Keystone. Is the snow and cold really that bad? I mean do people ride snowmobiles into town in the winter? Also are there many jobs, year round, near Keystone. There aren't any real major cities near there so I am concerned about finding a job. Any help and/or advice would be great. Thank you so much

[ElkHunter]

Keystone has a few year round jobs, but not many.

As far as towns close that will have year round jobs, how about Custer, Hill City, or even Rapid City. All three are within a 30 minute drive from Keystone.

There's also not alot of housing in Keystone.

Snow, yeah, there's been a few times that people ride their snowmobiles into town, but believe me, that's not the norm. My aunt lives in Hill City and works in Keystone. She's never missed a day of work.

[Lil-Dondi]

Thanks for the info! If you know anymore inside info about Keystone or that area I would love to hear it. Like wildlife, problems with it?, how is the school system ect.... anything will help us!! Thanks again!

[DannyBanany]

Lil-Dondi-

I live in Rapid City, which is about 20 minutes out of Keystone. Most people who live in Keystone, or the vicinity, make the commute to Rapid City for work, entertainment, and shopping. There is nothing much in Keystone for jobs and housing mostly because Keystone is just a small tourist trap on the way to Mount Rushmore.

In fact Keystone is only three miles from Mount Rushmore!

Keystone may be alright to live in if you own a tourist-themed business in the town, but 3/4 of the year there is NOTHING there. If you want to live in the Black Hills area, but do not want to live in a larger town like Rapid City, I suggest Hill City, Custer, Deadwood, or Hot Springs. At least there is somewhat adequate housing and job opportunities there. Keystone just has NOTHING!!!

You may actually like living near Rapid City, but not actually IN the city. Let me know, and I can give you some suggestions on where to look. Anywhere you choose in the Black Hills is destined to be beautiful!!!

Any questions, don't hesitate!

[Lil-Dondi]

Thanks DannyBanany! That does help a lot. It does sound nice but I think you are right a little bigger city might be better. We have kids so we would want them to have friends in the neighborhood. Although we have already found some nice property that we like in Keystone. I guess we're just gonna have to go visit to see for ourselves!! Thanks again!!

[Jammie]

Average Weather for Keystone, SD - Temperature and Precipitation

Lil, Keystone is just the cutest little town and if you go through the "Pictures" thread, I believe there's a link to see the pics of it. It's sort of at the bottom of the mountain when you leave Mt. Rushmore. It's also pretty close to Custer State Park and also the Crazy Horse monument.

But just like Guzzler and Danny have already said, there just wouldn't be jobs there. It's VERY small and pretty much shuts down for the winter.

Not sure how big of a town you're looking for, but Rapid City really isn't that big either. I was thinking 60,000, but if I remember correctly, Danny said it had grown.

As far as schools~I'm not really sure where your children would go if you lived in Keystone. Would it be Rapid or Custer?

http://www.city-data.com/city/Keysto...th-Dakota.html

Danny, how is the employment situation in Rapid? Is the unemployment rate quite low and what type of employers are looking for people?

[ElkHunter]

Jammie,

My cousins lived outside of Hill City, matter of fact, right at the junction where you turn to head for Keystone. They used to complain that the bus came out and picked them up first, and then they had to ride all the way down to Keystone picking up kids. Then in the afternoon, they dropped off the Keystone kids first and my cousins were the last to be dropped off. haha They went to school in Hill City then. But I'm not sure if they still do or not.

I'll give my cousin a call and find out.

[DannyBanany]

Jammie-

Rapid City's population is about 75,000 nowadays and the metro is roughly 150,000. Employment is not as great as it should be though. I believe the unemployment rate is about 7-10%, and there are no real jobs that trained professional people could manage.

Also, wages are low and the cost of living is high. Just today, the city agreed to take the maximum increase available on property taxes... AGAIN!!!
They ALWAYS do!! Property taxes in Rapid City are OUTRAGEOUS!!! I believe that it is the reason why some businesses choose not to move in to the area.

Another reason is because access to Rapid City and the Black Hills region is very limited. I-90 is the only major route to enter the region, but hopefully that will change with the completion of the Heartland Expressway!

Another positive aspect is the Homestake Mine! Now that we have the OK, more scientific and pharmaceutical businesses can move into the area to create jobs and do research! School of Mines is THRILLED to have the mine and their hands! Finally, graduates can stay in state instead of having to find work out of state!!!

Rapid City tends to focus too much on the tourism aspect instead of the fact that it is an actual growing city that has needs that must be met in order to make it grow haelthily and progressively.

[Floridahater]

Danny:
I was also interested in relocating to the Black Hills area, but it appears that there would be no need for a guy with two Masters degrees. I was thinking about working at a community or perhaps a four year college. I suppose that I will have to continue to look elsewhere. Thanks for the rundown.

[Jammie]

Florida, you may want to check out Black Hills State University in Spearfish or the Rapid City School of Mines. It may be your lucky day and they'll need someone like you.

Also, you may want to do a bit of research on the new science lab that will be coming to Homestake. It's my understanding that they'll need people for many different things. (The former Homestake Gold Mine by the Lead/Deadwood area)