Relocating to Rapid (Rapid City, Rapid Valley: renting, condos, houses)

[KC Royalty]

Hey, out there! My wife, two boys, and I will be relocating to Rapid City in April. We visited there in Nov. for three days, but still need more info. She will be working for Black Hills Corp. and I will be working for Pella Windows, so that part is set. Is Rapid Valley nice?

[Jammie]

HI Welcome to the forum and to South Dakota! Just hang in there cause you'll get some good info from a few who are very familiar with that area. Actually, I personally think the whole are of the Hills is very nice.

[DannyBanany]

Rapid Valley is a very large area so there are some nice parts and some trailer parks too. About 12,000 people live out there and the nicest area is by the Elks Country Club where most houses run about $300,000+ and they're built on a private golf course. There is a lot of development in Rapid Valley because that is where a lot of people are moving to escape Rapid City's high property taxes. There are some really nice homes in the Homestead Park area and I personally like Rapid Valley because it features spectacular views of the Black Hills and Harney Peak. Rapid City lights look good at night too.

Highway 44 runs through the middle of Rapid Valley and connects Rapid City to the airport. Highway 44 is being expanded to a four lane expressway with a median to allow easier traffic flow to the airport. The Heartland Expressway goes through Rapid Valley too so travle to Interstate 90 and Highway 79 is fast too. Rapid City is considering annexing the airport and chunks of Rapid Valley so be careful on where you move because your taxes will likely double. If your husband works for Black Hills Corporation his commute won't be bad, and Pella is just on Omaha Street (Highway 44) so you have a straightshot to work.

[cosmo66105]

Hi there, i work with your wife currently. I posted a reply awhile ago and there is some good information on my page if you'd like to take a look, it's on the 2nd maybe 3rd page of the forum, here's the shortcut...hope it helps! http://www.city-data.com/forum/south...nsas-city.html

In case the shortcut doesn't work, it's titled "Moving to Rapid City from Kansas City."

[KC Royalty]

Originally Posted by DannyBanany

Rapid Valley is a very large area so there are some nice parts and some trailer parks too. About 12,000 people live out there and the nicest area is by the Elks Country Club where most houses run about $300,000+ and they're built on a private golf course. There is a lot of development in Rapid Valley because that is where a lot of people are moving to escape Rapid City's high property taxes. There are some really nice homes in the Homestead Park area and I personally like Rapid Valley because it features spectacular views of the Black Hills and Harney Peak. Rapid City lights look good at night too.

Highway 44 runs through the middle of Rapid Valley and connects Rapid City to the airport. Highway 44 is being expanded to a four lane expressway with a median to allow easier traffic flow to the airport. The Heartland Expressway goes through Rapid Valley too so travle to Interstate 90 and Highway 79 is fast too. Rapid City is considering annexing the airport and chunks of Rapid Valley so be careful on where you move because your taxes will likely double. If your husband works for Black Hills Corporation his commute won't be bad, and Pella is just on Omaha Street (Highway 44) so you have a straightshot to work.

Hey Danny,
Thanks for the info. I was wondering, is there a better part of town to live in regards to schools? I have a 9 year old who is currently in the gifted program for advanced learning. Is there a "better" public scool that we should live near or is Rapid all one district?

[KC Royalty]

Originally Posted by cosmo66105

Hi there, i work with your wife currently. I posted a reply awhile ago and there is some good information on my page if you'd like to take a look, it's on the 2nd maybe 3rd page of the forum, here's the shortcut...hope it helps! http://www.city-data.com/forum/south...nsas-city.html

In case the shortcut doesn't work, it's titled "Moving to Rapid City from Kansas City."

Hey! Looks like we're moving North together! We are so nervous/excited! How is everything going for you guys? We are trying to get our house on the market ASAP. Thanks for the link, there was some pretty good info there. Jess told me that you were on here. Well, good luck to you guys!

[JPP]

The schools on the west side of town have the highest test scores. Corral Drive School received national honors (Blue Ribbon School) a few years ago for being one of the best in the nation. It takes a very dedicated principal & teaching staff to motivate for that to be done. It's next door to one of the best middlle schools in the state as well, Southwest Middle School. With two working parents, being within walking distance of those schools would be beneficial to you. There are condos as well as homes in the area. Stevens HS, also on the west side, is the most academic high school. They have many more AP classes than all the other high schools in Rapid.

[KC Royalty]

Originally Posted by JPP

The schools on the west side of town have the highest test scores. Corral Drive School received national honors (Blue Ribbon School) a few years ago for being one of the best in the nation. It takes a very dedicated principal & teaching staff to motivate for that to be done. It's next door to one of the best middlle schools in the state as well, Southwest Middle School. With two working parents, being within walking distance of those schools would be beneficial to you. There are condos as well as homes in the area. Stevens HS, also on the west side, is the most academic high school. They have many more AP classes than all the other high schools in Rapid.

When you say west side do you mean outside of city limits or is there a dividing line that I need to be aware of. We will probably be renting for a year or so to get the feel of everything, but I want to stay in the same schools if possable.Thank you so much for the info!

[DannyBanany]

All schools around Rapid City are in the RCAS District. Valley View is the newest one and that's in Rapid Valley.

When people refer to the "westside" they mean inside Rapid City limits. Rapid City is divided in two by a small mountain range that runs through the middle of the city. One side is the eastside, the other is the westside. The northside is above Omaha Street and the southside is below St. Patrick Street. Everything in between is downtown.