Least Favorite SD Town (Sioux Falls, Rapid City: living in, zoning, to move)

[DannyBanany]

I know, not the most pleasant thread, but I'm just curious. What South Dakota town is your least favorite and why?

Mine would have to be Wall. It's out on the prairie, it's deadly hot in the summer, windy and blistering cold in the winter, and the people there have always seemed so rude. Also, I hate the name "Wall". How creative...

[blackhillsdreams]

Good question. I honestly don't know. I can't think of any I have a strong dislike for... I guess if I had to say, I'd pick Lead or Hot Springs simply because they "feel" depressed to me. Not that they are bad at all, they just seem like towns that are hard to make a living in where most people struggle to get by and would probably rather be elsewhere. Of course I could be completely wrong, it's just the way they feel to me.

As for people in Wall being rude, I can't say I've had that experience but I'd guess they are stressed out just trying to get by as well. It's difficult to make a living these days...

[Chris19]

This one is a hard one to say. I have definite ones for other states such as Iowa and Illinois. Some of my least favorite towns would be Leola (kind of isolated), Eagle Butte (dirty and isolated), Fort Pierre (kind of dirty and hickish), Martin (isolated and somewhat dirty), Burbank (too small and dirty), Sherman (dirty and has more than its share of druggies), and Davis (floods a lot and is kind of dirty).

For larger cities, I would say Pierre due to it being isolated to the larger cities such as Sioux Falls and Rapid City and not having as many ammenities such as Aberdeen. Most towns its size (15,000 range) in South Dakota are closer to Sioux Falls. Another thing is that it too conservative politically for my tastes and I would rather opt for Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Yankton, or Mitchell which are more moderate politically. Vermillion, Huron, Aberdeen, Mitchell, and parts of the I-29 corridor are where Democrats do better and Republicans are more moderate in views than the ultra conservatives in other parts of the state.

[1st Round]

Ever been to Pukwana?

There just the once? Me too. Yeh, folks never do this place more than once.

What did you think of the only fill-up in town? Exactly! Did the restrooms screech out and grab you like a Saw III movie set?

There are many very very very on-the-edge-of-sanity towns in this state. Waubay is scary, Trail City no longer hosts anyone anymore (they lost their weighty relic pool table to a California bidder), ditto for Marlow and Ardmore. And I dislike desolate dry places like Timber Lake, Eagle Butte and Blunt.

But for a town with living humans, nothing is worse than Pukwana.

I think its a caged society and the living ones only come out at night. But I'll never be there to find out.

[Jammie]

I've been pondering this question for a while now and can't come up with ONE specific town. I just personally can't stand some of the little run-down dinky towns in Hutchinson Co., Douglas Co., and a few areas down that way. Many of the people have never been integrated into society. Many are still very backward and judgmental and haughty. Many of them shun outsiders and stare when you come through town. I'd say that Parkston and Delmont are two of the worst offenders.

Case in point~a friend of ours who is a police officer made a routine traffic light stop from someone in that area. The offender said, "You'd better respect me. I'm up here spending my money in your town."

And if you see the numbers on certain license plates, stay clear because they own the streets when they're out of town. They still make turns like they're out in the field and have no respect for their fellow drivers.

[Chris19]

I know about the certain numbers on license plates and know which numbers are ones that are quirky with their driving. Even with neighboring states. When I am in Sioux Falls or outside, the ones that drive me nuts are some cars from Turner County (slow and some drive like grannies and lack the concept of going with the flow of traffic) along with some other counties that are not coming to my mind at this point. Some drivers from Iowa and Minnesota that come to Sioux Falls are clueless and are just as bad if not worse than some of the Turner County drivers.

Ft. Pierre would my overall least favorite town after listing several towns I do not care for. Somewhat dirty, lack of zoning, and the mentaility of some people (not as progressive, lack of motivation, and not as supportive towards education compared to other areas) compared to what I am used to in eastern SD. To me, the town as a whole seems backwards and not as friendly to outsiders as other towns. To be fair, were some people who were decent, but others who were different.

[MJ1986]

I agree with Jammie. I couldn't pick one, but I dislike certain attributes of certain towns. Not accepting outsiders/newcomers is probably the biggie... And being too conservative and stuck in their ways.

Also, I find it sad that when I drive through a place, and the people just don't take care of their yards... They park their cars on the lawn, don't mow the grass when it needs it, garbage/junk in the front yard. You should take a little pride in your home!

[DannyBanany]

Originally Posted by MJ1986

Also, I find it sad that when I drive through a place, and the people just don't take care of their yards... They park their cars on the lawn, don't mow the grass when it needs it, garbage/junk in the front yard. You should take a little pride in your home!

That being said, add Sturgis to my list. Rapid City is fairly clean, Spearfish is very clean, and Sturgis is the craphole in between.

[debey]

Originally Posted by Chris19

I know about the certain numbers on license plates and know which numbers are ones that are quirky with their driving. Even with neighboring states. When I am in Sioux Falls or outside, the ones that drive me nuts are some cars from Turner County (slow and some drive like grannies and lack the concept of going with the flow of traffic) along with some other counties that are not coming to my mind at this point. Some drivers from Iowa and Minnesota that come to Sioux Falls are clueless and are just as bad if not worse than some of the Turner County drivers.

Ft. Pierre would my overall least favorite town after listing several towns I do not care for. Somewhat dirty, lack of zoning, and the mentaility of some people (not as progressive, lack of motivation, and not as supportive towards education compared to other areas) compared to what I am used to in eastern SD. To me, the town as a whole seems backwards and not as friendly to outsiders as other towns. To be fair, were some people who were decent, but others who were different.

May I ask how long it's been since you have been to Ft Pierre?
Things are slowly changing.

[Chris19]

I have been through Ft. Pierre last December but have been there a number of times when I lived in Pierre a few years ago. I did not care for Ft. Pierre too much at the time. I read in Pierre's online newspaper that Ft. Pierre is getting a Perkins, Amercinn, a new bank, etc. It is a step in the right direction. I understand also that the city is trying to move forward and that takes time. It is certainly better than five years ago when I came to Pierre to visit a couple of friends who were interning when the legislature was in session.

The town has potential with its location. If the town was spruced up a little and had more housing options, it would enhance the town and improve its appeal.