Moving to Sisseton (Watertown, Clear Lake: houses, employment, schools)

[Mud Hen]

I may be accepting a job in Sisseton very soon and would appreciate any comments on what to expect. I've lived my whole life in a city of over 300K in the Great Lakes area. All replies are welcome, particularly with regard to housing, recreation and employment opportunities for my wife. Thank you!

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by Mud Hen

I may be accepting a job in Sisseton very soon and would appreciate any comments on what to expect. I've lived my whole life in a city of over 300K in the Great Lakes area. All replies are welcome, particularly with regard to housing, recreation and employment opportunities for my wife. Thank you!

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

MudHen, welcome to the forum.

Hopefully someone is familiar with Sisseton. I've only been through there once and it's a very small area. My guess is the employment is pretty limited there. Also, I couldn't tell you how far your wife would have to drive for employment. It's sort of a desolate area. There is a very nice state park up in that area though. Sorry I can't help you more.

[SoDak11]

Not sure what your price range is, but to boost the quality of life of living in Sisseton (not the greatest town - especially if you are not Native American), I would look outside Sisseton to one of the many very nice lakes that lie west of town. There you will find a plethora of activities to do (assuming you aren't opposed to watersports...) year round. Not sure what sort of businesses or industry the area really has, so I can't help you with your wife's job hunt. The state park Jammie was referring to is Sica Hollow, and it is very nice.

[Mud Hen]

Thank you both so much for the information. Every bit helps.

[SoDak11]

Look up Roy Lake and Clear Lake. Both of those lakes have plenty of year round residents. The houses are probably starting around $300,000 for a house on the lake. Bare lots are around 100K.

[sugarbeet]

Sisseton is a nice community, although it may feel isolated compared to where you've been living. Fargo and Watertown are really not that far away when you need to get to a bigger town for shopping, but you can take care of your daily needs in Sisseton.

My family's had a cabin at Roy Lake for over 30 years and now my parents are talking about moving there permanently. It's beautiful and I'm shocked to hear a bare lot would be $100k there - certainly seen some price appreciation in the past few years! You may even find a better deal. You and your wife would both have significant drives (easy in summer, potentially tough on some winter days) to Sisseton. All depends on your tolerance, I guess.

What type of work does your wife do? Jobs in healthcare, office work or maybe schools will be easiest to find.

[msta999]

Try Watertown instead. You won't like Sisseton. I grew up there and it is real big on discrimination. Most stores are closed on Sunday. It is a real good place if you like to hunt, fish and drink.
Good luck.

[Wildlifb]

I will disagree with some. I moved here last January and while there are lots of issues with not being urban and with the prejudice and some bad feeling in the community, we are enjoying the area. We bought just west of town and have a great love of the land and all the outdoor activities. Depends on what you lioke to do. We don't drink and party but love to hike and fish and hunt and ride and such and that is so easy here.

[Chris19]

Sisseton is not as isolated as some other areas of South Dakota. It is about midway between Watertown and Fargo, ND. Between Watertown and Fargo, ND is about three hours. So it is either one and half hours to Fargo (which has plenty of shopping or Watertown for some of the basics). If you like the outdoors and a more laid-back lifestyle, Sisseton would be your place. I may suggest looking at neighboring towns or areas near the lakes if you want to live the area but not in Sisseton.

[msta999]

I hear what your saying, unfortunately the only way for it to stop, it seems, is to move away from the area like I did. Every where else your just another person and most treat you like a person.

Wish you the best.