Rapid City area home/rent prices? (Sioux Falls: rentals, insurance, chapel)

[pikie]

Hello folks!

I will eventually be relocating to Rapid City, South Dakota. As of fall of 2008, what does it cost to buy a 1500-2000 sq. ft home with 3-4 bedrooms in a "good" neighborhood ? I prefer the west side of Rapid City with some views of the Black Hills. What neighborhoods (west side with views of Hills) should I look for on a realty website -- based on my criteria? Furthermore, what does it cost to rent a house (of that same description) as well? Ball-park figures.

Thank you all.

[DannyBanany]

A house like that on the Westside will probably cost $200K+. The same house on the Southside will start around $140K. The Westside is the most beautful part of Rapid City because it is very hilly, covered with pines, and there are lots of creeks and streams. The older Canyon Lake area is probably the cheapest part of the Westside. Maybe Chapel Valley and Westberry Trails too. Avoid neighborhoods like Carriage Hills, Autumn Hills, Red Rock, Cinnamon Ridge and Elysian Heights. Houses there start at $400K and run up into the millions.

The Southside is also very pretty because it's at the foothills and there are lots of meadows. I live on the southside and there's a nice meadow right behind my house. It's also much closer to amentities like the hospital, medical centers, businesse, and the highways. The Southside has some really nice views too. Robbinsdale, South Pointe, Eastridge, and Minnesota Ridge are all nice and affordable. Terracita Hills, Edinborough Hills, Enchantment Hills, and Terracita Highlights are all very expensive too but they are on top of the hills so you get a great panoramic view.

Renting a house on the Westside will probably start around $950+. A house on the Southside probably starts at $600.

[pikie]

I appreciate it.

So, you're saying that the Westside is the nicest section of Rapid City? The Southside has views of the Black Hills as well? Within the Southside sections, which is nicer -- the west or east, or both?

As far as rent, in the Westside, it's only around a $1000 for a 3-4 bedroom home? The Southside is only around the $600 for a 3-4 bedroom home? What is the approximate range above your quotes? Are these newer homes, and is there is an adequate supply of rentals available? If what you're saying is true (I believe you -- but it's better than expected), those figures are cheap for a moderate size home in a good neighborhood.Wow! Based on rent prices($600-$1200) versus the equivalent of a 30 yr mortgage on a $175,000-250,000 home (approx. $1300-$2000 including taxes and insurance,PMI) -- renting is better, except for the tax shelter.

Sorry for all the questions, but I want to know exactly where to look next time I go out there.

Thank you

[ashnat]

Most homes are built with 2 bedrooms unless you pay extra to have the basement finished. One of my house hunting struggles was finding 3 bedrooms on the same floor together.
New homes are going for $150,000 or so, but not with 4 finished bedrooms. Most of the standard homes are built with 1700 or so sq feet.

[DannyBanany]

Pikie, on the Southside the rule of thumb is that the closer you are to the mountains the nicer it is. Ultimately, the "southwest" corner of Rapid City is the nicest area to live in. That is where you will find the multi-million dollar homes. Explaining 'sides' of Rapid City is kind of difficult because there are mountains that split Rapid City in half and there are few north-south distinguishing roads.

The Southside gives you the best for your money. For example, I live in a brand new 3 bedroom, 2 bath, den, 2 car garage townhouse with a view and a backyard and I pay about $850 per month. If my place was on the Westside it woud probably be about $1500+. I also like having a shorter commute downtown and being close to the hospital and highways. The Westside has more parks, golf courses, and country clubs than any other part of town too. That's probably why it is so expensive.

[happy23]

do people keep to themself are they all in ur business

is it hard to find a job?

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by happy23

do people keep to themself are they all in ur business

is it hard to find a job?

It used to be awfully hard to find a job in the Black Hills area. But Rapid is seeing a boom and I just saw their unemployment rate somewhere. I was shocked to see that it was under 3%. Could that be right? I remember it always being 5% to 10% for unemployment.

[MJ1986]

Oh yes... From what I've researched/seen the Rapid City area is growing... Not quite like Sioux Falls, but it's still growing... I haven't been to Rapid in probably 3 years, but I wouldn't be surprised. I take a look at the forum and see everyone requesting Rapid City info!

[rjl78]

Un employment has always been low in the hills. Wages have also been low.

[DannyBanany]

What do you mean by "up in your business"? People here aren't snoopy by any means but they care about their neighbors more than you'd find anywhere else. Rapid City is large enough that you won't see the same people everyday. My aunt also lives in Rapid City and I hardly ever see her but when I want to I know she is close by. Rapid City's not too big and not too small.