Moving to SD Deadwood? (Rapid City, Mitchell: health insurance, house, buying)

[nwcountrygal]

Hello

OK .... Anyones questions about SD and the people..... The people are the kindest most generouse humble people I have ever met. The kindness of the area is amazing... so I don't have a question there.

and as far as my raised opinion of calling all the midwest "The big Empty" I was wrong.

So my question of the Black Hills area... my family from Mitchell area been there very nice - cold wind nooo cant do that.. couldn't do it even if you paid me .. love the area the birds the openess but I am someone who is lost without a river or Mt to mark my way... even if it is in squares.

I hate wind - need therapy for the times I go east .. so how windy is it in the black hills... I mean I really hate any wind - not used to it living on Mt Rainier. Could I handle Lead or Deadwood area?

the other question what do you see the lab doing for area economy? My idea is buying an orginal house and setting it up for B & B or better yet - boarding house for scientist needing a room while staying? What do you think? Or would I be better to just buy a small house and use it for second house while I escaped the winter.... I again lived on Mt Rainier in WA grew up in Mt but I also really not into the cold other than for hunting now.... I am thinking it is a good investment for area... love SD and people. Also looking at HI but again the financial difference is very big.. along with climate.

That is an all over the world question... I don't want a $400,000 yellowstone retreat - I was thinking more of a historic house with good foundation in Lead - Deadwood area.... a pipe dream???? speak to me honestly about my ideas. I know the switch back roads and snow... but how expensive is heat and do you need AC in summer just pratical questions.

thank you sooo much for any information
Kim

[DannyBanany]

Kim, it does get very windy around the Black Hills, but not so much in the Black Hills. Try towns like Deadwood, Hill City, Custer, or Hot Springs. Rapid City's northside and Rapid Valley get really windy because they are out on the prairie. The westside stay generally calmer because it has peaks to protect it. Avoid Sturgis, Belle Fourche, and even Spearfish gets its share of wind.

As for the Neutrino Lab, it will open the doors for a scientific-medical research boom for the Black Hills. The old Homestake Mine is the one of the only places where neutrinos can be observed. Give it time though because they are just now developing it all up. The mine itself closed about a decade ago.

As for a house, you will find that they are MUCH more affordable here than most anywhere else. Also, Black Hills Power is often ranked the lowest in the country for prices.

[blackhillsdreams]

+1, Like Danny said. Custer is my favorite town in the hills but I like Hill City too. Work? Well, that's the real issue but it's possible. I'm not there yet, but I WILL be. Good luck!

[nwcountrygal]

Dang or good..... love the Deadwood area. Although the show of snow in pic thread --- ugh - Again I guess the snow isn't the issue but the wind ... I was guessing Deadwood Lead area would be protected by from the wind....

so again anyone living in Deadwood? Do you think the lab will really make an impact on area. I have newspapers etc from the area. I really love Deadwood... really. Do you think this is a viable business? I missed one this year that sold for a great price .. running and furnished. How hard do you think it would be to find someone handy to help with construction issues.... not too expensive but reilable? Again I am from the PNW so I am not coming from CA if that makes sense (no offense to anyone) I know how to make friends and network.

So do you see the lab making an additional aid to area for tourists or needing a room? Or do you see the mini Vegas atomsphere enough to make a living at such a thing? I would be purchasing something for the bulk of investment... other than running a business. Is the slow time in Deadwood winter or waiting for the spring to move on to the tourist season?

[nwcountrygal]

Originally Posted by blackhillsdreams

+1, Like Danny said. Custer is my favorite town in the hills but I like Hill City too. Work? Well, that's the real issue but it's possible. I'm not there yet, but I WILL be. Good luck!

I have been reading the thread for your journey to the black hills BHDreams.... I hope the best for you and you make it soon. Are you not afraid of the winters? such a change? where are you making you home?

[nwcountrygal]

Ohh another question.... if self employeed are there any reg's I should know or how is the self employeed health insurance availability for area?
Thanks

[Jammie]

Countrygal, the Lead/Deadwood area can get slammed with snow in the wintertime. You've probably heard this, but originally it was called "Deadwood Gulch" because it sits in a gulch or ravine. The snow can fall there in buckets.

You could check out Dakotacare or Blue Cross/Blue Shield of South Dakota. The last one may be called something just a bit different now cause it seems like they changed it~maybe dropped the "Blue Shield" or something. Our insurance coverage is quite limited here for self-insurance because Gov. Janklow got mad at the insurance companies several years ago and a lot of them left. They are slowly returning. Those are the only two I can think of right now, but I know there are more.

[blackhillsdreams]

Originally Posted by nwcountrygal

I have been reading the thread for your journey to the black hills BHDreams.... I hope the best for you and you make it soon. Are you not afraid of the winters? such a change? where are you making you home?

I live in Lakeland Florida right now, just East of Tampa Bay. I've actually lived all over, including Montana and North Carolina. I work in construction and many times while living in North Carolina, as a metal stud framer on new school projects, I remember having to put anti-freeze in the water level to keep it from freezing so we could keep working. I wore two pair of pants, two pair of socks, 3 or 4 shirts, and so forth to go to work. So, Nope, Snow is fine. Just don't like driving in it. Glad you liked the photos (you did see them didn't you?)

[pammybear]

I would strongly recommend coming for a visit in winter to see how you like the weather but since it is so variable you would have to stay awhile to experience all of the ups and downs but before you buy something maybe you could visit. I moved to SD in 1994 from FLorida and during our first winter there it really scared me especially to drive in the snow/wind. But then I just kind of got used to it and we stayed for 12 years. (half way between Sturgis and Deadwood in Boulder Canyon). It is much less expensive to visit in the winter (unless you are skiing!) so maybe you could try it out first. Good Luck, sounds like a great idea.

Pam

[nwcountrygal]

Thanks Pam ... Yes it is a good idea to visit first in winter.... again not afraid of snow.. but not sure of the cold... anyone else that has any further spectualation on the lab on Deadwood area I would love to hear opinions....