healing towns in south dakota? (Sioux Falls, Rapid City: houses, to buy, schools)

[timpsila]

hello all,
i am a licensed acupuncturist (i practice chinese medicine), looking to relocate to south dakota. i am really checking out hot springs, and it looks like there may be some interest in alternative medicine there...

are there any other towns i should explore? i am single, 30yrs. old, and very much into alternative health and natural/native lifestyles!

any info. would be greatly appreciated!

[DannyBanany]

Spearfish is a more liberal town with a lot of new age stores. It has a very "green" earthy vibe too. I'd probably consider Spearfish before Hot Springs, but both are pretty good places.

You may actually get more business in Rapid City because people from both Spearfish and Hot Springs commute here and Rapid City has way more people than those two towns combined. There are a couple acupuncturists here too, so you would bring in competition!

[timpsila]

thanks! i will check out spearfish... the main reasons i was looking at hot springs was warmer weather and small town atmosphere? but spearfish seems more progressive..

i have been in contact with the other acupuncturists in rapid, and may end up working with them...if not to provide competition, but more variety of healers to choose from.
maybe residing outside city limits would give me the peace and natural setting i am looking for?

[DannyBanany]

Originally Posted by timpsila

maybe residing outside city limits would give me the peace and natural setting i am looking for?

It may be a good idea to live outside of city limits, but Rapid City is a quiet town and there is not much hustle and bustle. Try looking at homes in the hills.

[Jammie]

Timpsila, welcome to the forum. Most of the larger towns in the state have a lot of people who believe in alternative meds. I've personally had accupuncture in the past. Unfortunately, my neuralgia makes it painful now and I know it's not supposed to be like that. In Mitchell, there's a lady who's made a very good living with alternative meds. She has a machine that gauges what your body needs and sells the things right there. We've also got a health food store. Kind of strange when you actually picture out state in the big picture.

If you're looking at the Hills, I'm with Danny~I'd go with Rapid City. It's very nice there and some of the smaller towns may not have enough clients.

[DannyBanany]

Originally Posted by Jammie

We've also got a health food store. Kind of strange when you actually picture out state in the big picture.

That's neat that Mitchell has a health foods store. Looks like organics are making a big impression even in our rural towns. I wish we had a Whole Foods or a Wild Oats Market in Rapid City. Those stores are really neat and they sell products that are difficult to find in a normal grocery store.

Do you know if Sioux Falls has any?

[Jammie]

I'm not sure if Sioux Falls has some, but I'll bet they do. Maybe we're thinking of two different things. The one we have isn't like a Whole Foods store or anything. It's a nutrition center, but they do have some health foods and veggie foods in there. It's a pretty neat store.

[Chris19]

Sioux Falls would be a good place to consider. The city has a number of people who have alternative/natural lifestyles and there are quite a few places to buy organic/healthfoods. The city has a strong and growing medical community and the accupuncture practice would be a good fit. Regarding natural foods, Hy-Vee has organic/natural foods sections in each of their stores and is one of the best chains that have organic foods. There are a few natural food stores in the area also.

Vermillion is another city and is one of the most liberal towns in South Dakota, which is not all bad. There are places and people there accomodating of the lifestyle. The city has a lot of trees and older houses. It is near the Missouri River.

Yankton is nearby and would also be a good city to check into. It is growing steadily, on the Missouri River, and has a lot of outdoor opportunities. The Hy-Vee there would be a good place to check for organic/natural foods.

[yogapeaceofmind]

Greetings,
I read your post and am wondering where you're at with everything. I am living in Sioux Falls am am making my way out to Rapid City to live. I am heading out the second week of June to look at housing etc...and have considered Spearfish and the Hills...I MAY be looking at a house share!?! or just looking to connect with like minded individuals...
I am a yoga instructor, work at a health food store, practice reiki, love natural medicine, am very familiar with TCM (have looked at schools but never pulled trigger) and am moving out for my FT job...which is medical equip. sales. Go figure? Anyways, would like to talk to you more and see what's going on in your world as you progress with your planning..
if nothing else we could meet for coffee . . or get out for a hike.

[Jammie]

Yoga, welcome to the forum. Just wanted to let you know that the original poster hasn't stopped in for a while. If you would like to contact her, click on her name and she has the option where you can send her an email. You'll want to be sure and put a headline in there so she doesn't think it's spam. I hope you two can get together and we'd love to hear back from both of you so we know how things are going.