considering South Dakota (Rapid City, Ellsworth AFB, Box Elder: real estate, sex offenders, crime)

[c.mrtnz]

Hi
My family and I currently live in Great Falls, MT so now that our time is almost up here, I'm considering moving to Rapid City. We have a 15, 14 and 5 yr old. How are the schools out there? If theres anyone that lives on base I would really like your input. Is there an elementary school on base or near base? Is base housing nice, roomy?
I visited Rapid City, Mt. Rushmore, BedRock City, Wind Cave and a bunch of other places out there when I was about 8 yrs old. It was a long time ago but I'm sure its still as beautiful as I remember. The only concern for me is will it be a nice and safe place for my kids.
Thanx
Cindy

[Jammie]

HI Cindy and welcome to the forum. We have a few members who live out in that area so I'm sure they'll be very helpful to you.

I believe that most schools in our state are doing very well in educating our children. And as far as safety, Rapid is a very safe area.

Rapid City, South Dakota (SD) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

The crime stats here aren't exactly flattering, but it does show that Rapid is about the national average. But I've seen cities that have well over 1000 for their crime stats.

And it is just as beautiful there as when you saw it before. I hope things work out for you and you join us here.

[DannyBanany]

Originally Posted by c.mrtnz

Hi
My family and I currently live in Great Falls, MT so now that our time is almost up here, I'm considering moving to Rapid City. We have a 15, 14 and 5 yr old. How are the schools out there? If theres anyone that lives on base I would really like your input. Is there an elementary school on base or near base? Is base housing nice, roomy?
I visited Rapid City, Mt. Rushmore, BedRock City, Wind Cave and a bunch of other places out there when I was about 8 yrs old. It was a long time ago but I'm sure its still as beautiful as I remember. The only concern for me is will it be a nice and safe place for my kids.
Thanx
Cindy

I live in Rapid City and I have never been a victim of crime. My aunt lived on the northside for a few years and her car got broken into a couple times, but that's about it. Schools here are great. I went to the Catholic school, but public schools in Rapid City are really nice and they will help your child if they need or want it. There are TONS of activities to get involved in here too. The public high schools are Central, Stevens, and Douglas. Each class is about 400-500. The private ones are Saint Thomas More and Rapid City Christian.

Douglas is the one for base kids. It's located in Box Elder about 5 miles east of Rapid City. Base housing is either on Ellsworth or in Dakota Ridge. I live about 1/2 mile from Dakota Ridge. It is a nice, established development on the southside of Rapd City. All the houses look alike and it is in a quiet neighborhood right across from a golf course and soccer fields. It is about 5 minutes from the hospital too.

You and your kids will enjoy all the fun that the Black Hills has to offer. Rapid City is very similar to Great Falls, except the winters here are not as harsh!

[c.mrtnz]

Thanx for ur reply, i really appreciate it.
I kind of figured it might be like Great Falls, which is what I want. I don't wanna make to big of a change. Rapid City actually has a lot more then we have over here which is good, and I'm happy to hear that the winters are milder over there!
I will keep on researching every aspect of that area and will start trying to convince my kids ha,ha.

[blackhillsdreams]

I bet if you take a long weekend trip to Rapid and check out the area, you won't have to work too hard to convince your kids! The Black Hills are one of the most beautiful areas in the U.S. and even the world.

I've been there many times and want to live there very much. I moved to the Missoula Mt. area for a while about 12 years ago and driving through the hills on the way out and also on the way back, I felt like I should have just stopped and stayed there. Still do.

Another trip, I had a friend from Germany along for about 10 days. He compared it to the Black Forrest in Germany.

All the best! You're going to love it there.

[c.mrtnz]

We were actually in Germany for 3 yrs. before coming to Great Falls.
So we've experienced the Black Forest, it is beautiful!! The kids did love it over there too. I know they will love South Dakota its just my oldest one that doesn't wanna move again due to the fact that she'll be close to finishing high school so she just wants to graduate here. We still have about 1 yr to go so who knows maybe we'll drive out there for our next vacation, like u suggested. I think it will help.
Thanx

[Chris19]

You will find South Dakota to be a friendly and safe place to visit and living is affordable compared to a number of other places nationally. From my impressions visiting the Black Hills, the area is nice and the people are friendly.

The area's economic base is diversifying and will do more so when the Homestake Mine gets converted into a science lab and will attract research and supporting industries. I would like to see more diversification in the economy there to leave it strong when there are fluctations with tourism and Ellsworth AFB.

Rapid City, for its size, has a good airport and good retail and is getting better. The city and region have a unique beauty and a great deal of recreation (skiing, hiking, bicycling, swimming, winter sports, etc.).

Most of the trees are evergreens, which are still neat to have with the landscape.

c.mrtnz, it would be good to see the area for yourself.