Drinking is a main passtime in every midwestern city from South Dakota through Wisconsin, just because of winter, so once you accept that, you have to look at what else is there to do, and how far do you have to drive to do it?
It's a relatively scenic area at least compared to Brookings, with the river, dam, several state parks, etc. nearby, but as far as amenities, it's fairly far away from anything else, and not even next to the interstate.
Asking a person which town to live in is hard to do, it's a very personalized thing based on individual taste and need. The town has basically been zero growth for 20+ years which will give it a different feel to a town like Brookings which has grown during that time.
Or Sioux Falls which has exploded in relative terms.
The coldest part of the state is the eastern part, more specifically the buffalo ridge area where I live. You'll see 20 to 30 below maybe once a winter, 5 times, maybe 10? , depends on the winter, but it should be warmer, and snow melt faster, and have more of a 'west river' climate. It's the hottest part of the state in the summer. Compared to where I'm at, relatively pleasant, warm springs and falls. Rapid City has the best overall climate in the state, imo. Brookings, Aberdeen, and Watertown, the worst (coldest) . Sioux Falls, Yankton, Mitchell, Pierre, Huron, somewhere in between. Subjective opinion though, some like it cold. Snow can be pretty vs seeing brown too.
I didn't think it could get or stay so warm here until last winter, and this spring, but warmest on record? I guess no surprise.
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