Tell me about Spearfish (Yankton, Custer: ski resorts, crime, home)

[2girlsathome]

My husband has an interview there next week so we might relocate there next summer (looks like it will either be Spearfish or Utah). What can you tell me about the schools there? We have 2 girls age 8 and 11 so that is an important factor. Also are there lots of activities available for kids.
We currently live in Yankton and we have been to the Black Hills a few time (camped in Custer last summer and skiied at Terry Peaks a couple times) so we are familiar with the general area but have never been in Spearfish. Basically I would love to know if it is a nice place to raise kids.

[DannyBanany]

I'm the official Spearfish fan in the SD Forum!

Spearfish is a really pretty town of about 10,000 and it sits in the foothills. It's home to Black Hills State University which is a very good school for elementary education and business. The great thing about Spearfish is that it is so close to so much recreational activity. It's a 15 minute drive to two ski resorts (Terry and Deer Mountain as you know), close to rock-climbing spots in Spearfish Canyon, lakes, rivers, hiking, bike trails, and most anything else that you can do that involves mountain living. Spearfish is a very active town.

Downtown Spearfish also has a lot of neat cafes, bookstores, restaurants, and new age shops. Spearfish is a pretty liberal town. In fact it's often dubbed "Little Boulder" or "Black Hills Berkeley" by locals. The town is very clean and has a Safeway, WalMart Supercenter, KMart, Starbucks, and most any fast food place to keep your needy palate occupied! A lot of people retire to Spearfish so there are lots of golf courses in the town too. I can't really think of any part of Spearfish to avoid. I like to go up there on occasion to visit friends and eat at a new restaurant or hang out downtown. Spearfish has a great city park too.

Where at in Utah is your other choice, if you don't mind me asking?

[2girlsathome]

Thanks Danny!
Do you know anything about the reputation of the schools there (elementary and middle)?
As far as Utah, we would be in the Orem/Provo area, my husband has an offer at UVU (he is a college professor).

[DannyBanany]

I really don't know much about Spearfish schools other than that PETA wanted Spearfish High School to change their name to Sea Kitten High School because Spearfish sounded too threatening.

Here is a link to their school system: Spearfish School District

As for Utah, are you LDS? My cousin lived in Ogden for a while and said she was treated differently because she wasn't LDS. She loved the beauty and the weather but she had to move back to Omaha because she found the people to be "kinda off". I do love Utah though. It's very beautiful there.

[pejuta]

dont know how many people have noticed here in spearfish,but there is a little mini golf course by the bowling alley. i never notice any signs or ads,but see it when walking by. very little crime here.

[WyoNewk]

Spearfish is really a nice little town. I used to drive through regularly, and every time through I'd think I'd like to live there. I even stopped at the Chamber of Commerce once and got information. I finally turned down the chance to buy a business there, but it'll always be one of my favorite towns.

Hopefully.

It's been growing very rapidly in recent years -- really sprawling out.


I've often heard the same thing about Utah not being too accepting of non-LSD members. My wife and I eliminated it from possible retirement states for that reason alone.

[jvs11]

Hi, my name is John. I am a sophomore in Spearfish High School, I have been in this district since first grade. There are about 100 students per class on average. There is one lower elementary school, one upper elementary schoo, a middle school, a high school, and, of couse, Black Hills State University. Most of the students are very nice and welcoming of new students. I think the education is splendid. There are many clean and fun places to go and things to do. Some cool things to keep students occupied include Summer Rec., Kids' Club, The Donald E Young Center, The Rec. Center, and numerous parks, pools, and golf courses. I love it. I know your kids will too!

[no8fann]

Originally Posted by jvs11

Hi, my name is John. I am a sophomore in Spearfish High School, I have been in this district since first grade. There are about 100 students per class on average. There is one lower elementary school, one upper elementary schoo, a middle school, a high school, and, of couse, Black Hills State University. Most of the students are very nice and welcoming of new students. I think the education is splendid. There are many clean and fun places to go and things to do. Some cool things to keep students occupied include Summer Rec., Kids' Club, The Donald E Young Center, The Rec. Center, and numerous parks, pools, and golf courses. I love it. I know your kids will too!

Thanks, John! And welcome to the forum! I am glad to hear from someone that has been in the school system there recently, as we are considering that area when we move there this summer! Do you feel that the schools there are better vs. Belle? If so, why? Or do you think they are pretty comparable?

[leroyleroux]

I love Spearfish, but we have only spent a few days there. We went to Harvest Fest for a contest that I entered twice. Last year they didn't have the contest. I was bummed. Actually, the first year we were playing for a wedding dance anyway so the contest was gravy. The wedding was at the Spearfish Canyon Lodge at the end of September out by a little creek behind the lodge. Just beautiful at that time of the year.

[rjl78]

Have some good friends in Spearfish who are also friends with some of my relatives... Found that out through facebook.

Of all the northern hills towns I tend to favor Spearfish. Get an excellent latte down town. Nice sports bar with a great burger. Yum.

Schools should be pretty good. Make it a good selling point for University staff etc.