Want to rellocate from Philadelphia... (Sioux Falls, Rapid City: sale, new home, to buy)

[tilemaker]

Originally Posted by wallstreet1986

haha i'm from philly originally (main line burbs) and considering the move.

I hate the pushy feel of it and even out in the burbs the cost of living/quality sucks. The state is moderately pretty but holds no candlestick to the black Hills. And I'm not going to take on 150-200k in debt at a law school like Villanova to service a bunch of pushy, rich, snobs.

hope you cook italian -- philly has some AWESOME eateries.

wallstreet,

So does this mean that you are also considering the move to South Dakota?I realized that my life is half over and I can't look at the east coast grime any longer. South Dakota, after some research, seems to offer what I might like.
And yes, I can cook italian, but I can cook just about anything and am primarily a baker.

[Beingthere]

Are you a native of Philadelphia? I am a native of Delaware County PA and live in South Dakota. I am married to a South Dakotan and have lived in the Black Hills, Sioux Falls and Yankton. Each of these areas are unique. Although I live in SD returning here last August, I have lived throughout the country. I find this the most difficult place to feel entirely comfortable. It is so different from the Philadelphia area and in many ways that is positive but from a communication & mutual understanding standpoint it is most challenging. I frequently feel like a Martian; however, that doesn't necessarily mean that you would ; ) Please consider any potential move very carefully and look at the place you are considering in totality if that is at all possible.

[tilemaker]

Hi beingthere,

I appreciate your advice about careful consideration to the move. I'm from NYC but have lived in Philly since 78. I don't know when the last time you've been back here but life here is quite challenging. A few hip and trendy neighborhoods do not make a great city. I don't see a viable future here as a small business owner. Also the ugliness, trash,crime and congestion are overwhelming. Hence, I am looking for a beautiful place for me and my three dogs where I can have a small restaurant like I have here minus the grime of a Philadelphia. Anything that you can tell me about either Sioux Falls or Rapid City would be most appreciated. Where in Delaware County are you from? I had a business in Ardmore for 15 years.

[Beingthere]

Hello, Tilemaker,

I totally honor your need to look at beauty; I share the sentiment. Last time I was in Philly was 3 years ago on a visit back to Delco. I was born and raised in Chester and my parents moved to lovely Wallingford as Chester was in the midst of serious decline which continues.So, I am well acquainted with crime, grime and degradation. As you formerly were in Ardmore you were in a more "Main Line" location than my original stomping grounds.

There's a variety of comments that I could make about life in South Dakota for a transplanted Easterner married to a South Dakotan but this has been my experience and may not necessarily apply to you, if that makes sense. Best wishes to you as you find the right and perfect place to bless others with your talents wherever that may be.
P.S. There was baker I read about in South Dakota Magazine in Vermillion SD, home of the University of South Dakota, who worked at the Jones' Food Center,812 Cottage Ave, Vermillion, SD 57069 (605) 624-2624. He was originally from the Northeast, Boston, perhaps. Might be a good contact to get a feel for the baking business in SD. Vermillion is about 1 hour south of Sioux Falls.

[fourwinds]

Originally Posted by tilemaker

Hi beingthere,

I appreciate your advice about careful consideration to the move. I'm from NYC but have lived in Philly since 78. I don't know when the last time you've been back here but life here is quite challenging. A few hip and trendy neighborhoods do not make a great city. I don't see a viable future here as a small business owner. Also the ugliness, trash,crime and congestion are overwhelming. Hence, I am looking for a beautiful place for me and my three dogs where I can have a small restaurant like I have here minus the grime of a Philadelphia. Anything that you can tell me about either Sioux Falls or Rapid City would be most appreciated. Where in Delaware County are you from? I had a business in Ardmore for 15 years.

Tilemaker:

What type of restaurant? If it is Italian or ethnic or in any way uniquely Philly or New York style - consumers in cities such as Sioux Falls or Rapid City (or in North Dakota cities like Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks) would eat it up (forgive the pun). Can't speak for all, but there's definitely a dearth of restaraunts outside of the chains that offer fresh or ethnic or unique food, and consumers here are starving for more variety.

A move would be a big risk, but with the right concept and location, the rewards could be good.

As a native North Dakotan that has just recently spent some time in the Philadelphia area, the lack of trust and the amount of cynicism that Philadelphians have for each other and in other human beings just amazes me. In the Dakotas, its just the opposite: people trust each other until its proven that you shouldn't.

[ladynitenday]

The town of Winner is the county seat of Tripp county in the lower, center of the state, not far from the Nebraska border. They also do the county work for Todd county at the courthouse. They have several restaurents and a couple that didn't make it are for sale. Every one I have been in has always been full and we were thinking of opening one there a couple of years ago but decided that we were too old to start one up again. There is a large customer base from surrounding towns, ranches and farms plus the truckdrivers who run through on a regular basis.
I did a lot of research and there is plenty of room for more. We have to drive a long way to get more than just plain down home meals, or if you want to do that type of food, then it would be really welcome too. There is a big influx during the seasons for pheasant and deer huting and tourists spend pretty heavy too. Just my .02 worth, but it's another idea for you.

[Wotan]

Originally Posted by tilemaker

Hi all,

I'm a restaurant owner in Phila. and desperately want out of this hellhole. South Dakota looks like an excellent possibility. I want to stay in the restaurant business and would like some recommendations as to which part of the state might be preferrable. Thanks.

Hey, How's it going? I was born & raised in South Philly & it WAS really nice! Now, it IS a "hellhole". Me & wife moving to Mitchell---visited friends there last 4 years--really got to like it----Peace & quiet--OK...no cheese steaks or good Italian food--but I'll trade it in for peace & quiet --Wotan

[Jammie]

Hi Wotan, welcome to Mitchell! I've lived in this area my entire life and have enjoyed it. There are jobs and friendly people, too, at least the ones that I know are. It's also close enough that you can vacation out in the Hills, which are actually my favorite part of the state. WE're actually considering leaving here in about a year though. I'd like to live in a bit warmer climate, but the Mitchell area is a good place to be.

[Wotan]

I , too, am relocating out of this "hellhole"...Philadelphia, to Mitchell SD, this Spring. Visited friends in Mitchell, starting back in 2003--really got to like the town---peaceful, quiet, clean AND...crime free. Hey, if you wanna try opening a resturant --there's one for sale right on Havens Road, just off he I-90 exit--great location.

Originally Posted by Jammie

Hi Wotan, welcome to Mitchell! I've lived in this area my entire life and have enjoyed it. There are jobs and friendly people, too, at least the ones that I know are. It's also close enough that you can vacation out in the Hills, which are actually my favorite part of the state. WE're actually considering leaving here in about a year though. I'd like to live in a bit warmer climate, but the Mitchell area is a good place to be.

Hi Jammie--sorry if i repeated my post about moving out of this "hellhole" called Philly. Honeestly, me & my wife want to move to a warmer climate as well----we ALWAYS thought of Southern California......BUT--something became available.......right in area we liked! So, we'll stay in Mitchell--about year...THEN..we too--want a warmer climate--! We'd LIKE to keep the place in Mitchell...AND have a place in sunny, warm California--IF we can afford it!

How COLD does it get in winter? I can only...imagine! I HATE cold weather!-----------------So, WHAT are we doing in South Dakota? Well, again...LOVE the peace & quiet......no crime....friendly people....AND getting away from these LOUD MOUTH people in SOUTH PHILLY -------------It was really NICe in Mitchell--in Spring & summer----get back--Wotan

[Jammie]

Wotan, you're right. We also have always liked this area and like I said, we've always lived around here. (Put it this way~Mitchell has always been our shopping town.) I'm sure you saw some of the smaller towns on your way out here so you know what I mean.

Sorry to tell you that it can get VERY cold here. Our record is-50 actual temp. which was set in 1955. We have several winter days that are well below zero and with the windchills it can feel like 30 or 40 below zero. Our past two winters and this one have been mild. YET, we still have about two weeks where the windchills were -25 to -30. Our winters USED to last from the end of Sept. until early May, but we've been lucky lately and our nice weather has been more prevalent. I'd also like to add that the record high for Mitchell was 116 set back in 1940. We can have some pretty toasty summer days, too, but we don't have as much humidity as some southern states do. AWWW, what I'd give for one of those nice warm summer days right now. We are in the process of getting 7 inches of snow right now.