Information on Sioux Falls and outlying areas (Tea, Deadwood: city hall, homes)

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by cbest23

Yeah Fatman, I'll agree..I don't miss NY state taxes, nor the NY city tax that you get taxed on if you work for the city, but don't live there. Now for the things that I do miss... I miss the variety of things to do, like the broadway shows, the independent films ( I'm a huuuugge movie buff ) and the sites ( times square, statue of liberty,etc). I have to throw this in as well, I really don't miss the traffic commutes to work ( 1 1/2 - 2 hours each way -- 30 miles each way ), rude people ( not everyone, but enough to not miss it ).

You sound like Lisa's version of the song from the "Green Acres" TV show of the 60's & 70's.

Did you also adore a penthouse view?

[fatman66]

Originally Posted by jmgg

You sound like Lisa's version of the song from the "Green Acres" TV show of the 60's & 70's.

Did you also adore a penthouse view?

I'm not even old enough to remember Green acres but thanks to TV land that just made me spit water out all over my computer screen.

[fsdflyer]

Originally Posted by MJ1986

jmgg had a good post. Baltic is small, and only has a gas station for business... I could be wrong... but definitely has a small town feel. If that's what you're looking for!
All state highways are 65 mph. The highway between SF and Dell Rapids is 115.
Dell Rapids is a bit farther from SF than Brandon, Tea, and Harrisburg.
Development in Dell Rapids isn't as expansive as the development in between Sioux Falls and Tea/Harrisburg.

On that note, I drove around a little bit after work, and I came across Fred Assam Elementary School on Six Mile Road east of Highway 11. I did some research and its in the Brandon School District. I had no idea that this elementary school even existed. I knew about the one being built in extreme SW SF.

I new they were building a new elementary school on the east side, I didn't know where though until I drove by there a few weeks ago to. Did you happen to drive in Arbors Edge? Beautiful houses and they have a different look and feel to them as you would have on the southside of Sioux Falls. More modern, and more I guess not South Dakota originated plans. Seems more like houses you would find in Houston or Phoenix.

All sides of Sioux Falls are great, except for maybe the northwest side. The northwest side is growing, however all the houses on that side of town are very inexpensive, and many houses I see when I drive by there are basically a box with windows and doors, and kids play toys laying on the lawns, and un mowed grass. Of course Im not speaking for everyone on that side of town, because other people on that side of town do keep there things together and in shape, but it just seems like that side of town is cheap. There are some developments up there that are very inexpensive but also very nice too and well kept residences.

[fatman66]

More questions...

In looking into homes one factor will be commute time for my wife and me. I was curious what the commute to Colton would be like. Google maps says it's between 40-50 minutes from almost anywhere in SF, Brandon, Harrisburg and Tea but we have had several people tell us it's more like 20-30 minutes. Any comments greatly appreciated.

Oh one more thing, anyone have any idea how bad that commute would be in the winter? We are used to driving in lots of snow and ice here in western NY but I wasn't sure what the plowing and salting (please tell me you don’t just dump gravel on icy roads like they do in Pennsylvania) of the roads you folks out in SD is like. Again, thanks for all the help, looking forward to visiting and seeing the area (finally) the 25th-28th of June.

[MJ1986]

Originally Posted by fatman66

More questions...

In looking into homes one factor will be commute time for my wife and me. I was curious what the commute to Colton would be like. Google maps says it's between 40-50 minutes from almost anywhere in SF, Brandon, Harrisburg and Tea but we have had several people tell us it's more like 20-30 minutes. Any comments greatly appreciated.

Oh one more thing, anyone have any idea how bad that commute would be in the winter? We are used to driving in lots of snow and ice here in western NY but I wasn't sure what the plowing and salting (please tell me you don’t just dump gravel on icy roads like they do in Pennsylvania) of the roads you folks out in SD is like. Again, thanks for all the help, looking forward to visiting and seeing the area (finally) the 25th-28th of June.

Google Maps is hard to go by with their commute times. I have relatives on the East Coast, and they base everything on traffic/commute times. Its different here! Trust me .
If you would put in "Colton" and "Sioux Falls" to create directions, it will put SF as downtown, so that always adds to it.

Google maps is telling me that from the south edge of Colton to I-29/I-90 is 31 minutes.

But, it won't be a 40 minute commute from Colton to SF, Tea, Harrisburg, or Brandon.

I'm guessing here:
Colton to SF (I-90 & I-29) would probably be 10-15 minutes-ish.
Colton to Tea would 20-25.
Colton to Harrisburg would be 25.
Colton to Brandon would be 30.

The interstate is 75 mph (within Sioux Falls, its 65 mph). State and US highways are 65. County roads are 55 mph.

The traffic on I-29/I-90/I-229 never experiences delays (unless there's an accident). Within SF, it's usually not too congested. There are exceptions...

[jmgg]

Colton is approx. 25 miles from the SF city limits. This seems to be the forgotten town in the proximity of Sioux Falls. If they build more than 1 new house in a year, it might set a record. The population is more elderly than the surrounding towns and commercial is limited to a convenience store, gas station, municipal bar, elevator, lumber yard, small grocery store, coffee shop/promotional product combo, and a propane business. There's also a veterinarian in town who's either close to or is retired. Don't know if the on again, off again cafe is operating. There's a small clinic there that's affiliated w/Dell Rapids' hospital. It used to be open a couple times a week. Could be closed now. There's also a small bank branch there.

It's closest larger community is Dell Rapids and Hartford, both about 12-13 miles away.

What has hurt Colton's growth is that they are well off the interstate system. It's probably 13 miles south to get to I-90 via county highway and 10 miles east to I-29 using a couple different county highways.

Thus, the commute to SF in the wintertime is a little tougher than many of the other communities.

The people in Colton are quite nice, but keep in mind that most people living there have been there for generations.

[MJ1986]

Originally Posted by fsdflyer

I new they were building a new elementary school on the east side, I didn't know where though until I drove by there a few weeks ago to. Did you happen to drive in Arbors Edge? Beautiful houses and they have a different look and feel to them as you would have on the southside of Sioux Falls. More modern, and more I guess not South Dakota originated plans. Seems more like houses you would find in Houston or Phoenix.

All sides of Sioux Falls are great, except for maybe the northwest side. The northwest side is growing, however all the houses on that side of town are very inexpensive, and many houses I see when I drive by there are basically a box with windows and doors, and kids play toys laying on the lawns, and un mowed grass. Of course Im not speaking for everyone on that side of town, because other people on that side of town do keep there things together and in shape, but it just seems like that side of town is cheap. There are some developments up there that are very inexpensive but also very nice too and well kept residences.

I have to disagree with you on this one.
How northwest are you talking about? The area directly north and west of Southeast Tech is excellent! Are thinking of the trailer park areas near 12th & I-29?

I do not live in the NW part of SF, but these lower-priced homes and townhouses are excellent choices for those who are just starting out, like young adults. Those who are looking for a house-feel will like the townhouses. These homes/townhomes fill a need.

You have to remember that a house is a home, and while it may not be fancy or attractive, it's a home, and most are proud to own it.

[nanjosbrand]

Originally Posted by MJ1986

I have to disagree with you on this one.
How northwest are you talking about? The area directly north and west of Southeast Tech is excellent! Are thinking of the trailer park areas near 12th & I-29?

I do not live in the NW part of SF, but these lower-priced homes and townhouses are excellent choices for those who are just starting out, like young adults. Those who are looking for a house-feel will like the townhouses. These homes/townhomes fill a need.

You have to remember that a house is a home, and while it may not be fancy or attractive, it's a home, and most are proud to own it.

MJ--thanks for such a great point!! I also agree that the northwest side of town provides an excellent choice for those who need a home to start out in. I have a house for sale in the NW side of town that is extremely well constructed and has all the bells and whistles anyone would be looking for in their home. Look for it in the classified section of this website.

[fatman66]

Our first two days in Sioux Falls have been great and I think we'll be residents soon.
I really think this is a great place and I'll post my thoughts at a later date when I have more time but I wanted to ask about a conversation I had today regarding skunk creek on the west side of the city before we go house hunting tomorrow. I've been told that skunk creek makes many of the homes on the southwest side of the city (where most of the houses in our price range that we like seem to be) prone to basement flooding. I'm avoiding buying anything where I can actually see running or standing water but if anyone has any comments on how large of a problem this is for the average house in the southwest side of SF (i.e. one that is not right beside the creek) I'd appreciate the advice. As always, thanks.

[MJ1986]

Originally Posted by fatman66

Our first two days in Sioux Falls have been great and I think we'll be residents soon.
I really think this is a great place and I'll post my thoughts at a later date when I have more time but I wanted to ask about a conversation I had today regarding skunk creek on the west side of the city before we go house hunting tomorrow. I've been told that skunk creek makes many of the homes on the southwest side of the city (where most of the houses in our price range that we like seem to be) prone to basement flooding. I'm avoiding buying anything where I can actually see running or standing water but if anyone has any comments on how large of a problem this is for the average house in the southwest side of SF (i.e. one that is not right beside the creek) I'd appreciate the advice. As always, thanks.

Hmmm... Who did you speak with?
Well, Skunk Creek doesn't run into the SW part of SF...

If you are looking at a house between 12th/26th & Sertoma/Marion, then Skunk Creek will run through that neighborhood.

siouxfalls.org (File): Big Sioux River & Skunk Creek Flood Control System
Click on the Open/Download link in the middle of your screen. You will need a .pdf viewer (Adobe) to view it.

This shows the Big Sioux/Skunk Creek Flood Control System map, and where Skunk Creek is.

Part of that blue line on the left edge is Skunk Creek. If you see S Marion Road & W 26th Street on the map, you found the creek.

Part of Skunk Creek is highlighted in yellow... However, in this area, there are basically no residential areas... It's mainly commercial.

I don't live in that area, but I know Skunk Creek does not flood at all.