Information on Sioux Falls and outlying areas (Brandon, Lead: crimes, houses)

[fatman66]

Hello Everyone,
I've just received a great job offer which involves relocation to Sioux Falls. It's great offer and from what I've learned of the area Sioux Falls seems like a great place for a couple of late 20 early 30 somethings. My wife and I are born and bred in western New York (Rochester to be exact) and in considering our options we'd be very grateful if anyone who is native (or just knows the area really well) would give us the inside scoop on the neighborhoods and suburbs of Sioux Falls. Since it's difficult to know where to look and not to look for houses when you're not familiar with the area it would be great to hear peoples' thoughts on Sioux Falls vs. the suburbs, different neighborhoods in Sioux Falls, places to avoid, etc... We’re probably looking for something I the $120-$130K range if that is helpful. Thanks in advance.

[jmgg]

I'm a lifelong resident of the Sioux Falls area. I can happily tell you that there isn't a single neighborhood in town that can be classified as a true "ghetto" type area. The Sioux Falls police years ago have made a special effort to crush any gang activity in this town. Gang wanabees still exist, but they are not allowed to flourish.

Yes, there are several neighborhoods that aren't too desireable. However, I would not consider them very dangerous, just "ethnically challenged".

One area is from 10th street west of Minnesota AVe. to Grange Ave. on the west edge, north to approx. 15th ave. This area is currently part of a city wide renovation project..

Another area is between 12th St east of Cliff, north through Riverside (which is mostly a blue collar area and not necessarily run down) and east to I-229 with the exception of the Leaders area north to Rice street (which is pretty nice).

Above the Morrells packing house hill to the north is the Norton-Froehlich area which can be somewhat rough but in general is mostly a blue collar area and not what I would call a really dangerous area.

[Jammie]

HI Fatman!! I hesitated calling you by the name you chose.

I echo what JMGG said~there really are no ghettos or specific places to avoid like in a lot of cities. Just wanted to mention though that the suburbs may not be exactly what you think of as burbs. They're including a few of them now that are a few miles from Sx. Falls. You'd be out in the country with fields and pastures, etc. during your commute and not just connected cities.

Good luck with your move.

[rjl78]

JMGG got it right. Tea, Brandon, Hartford are good examples of places that are close to Sioux Falls. I guess there are no real stay away from areas as far crimes. Sioux Falls is not a bad town. Its pretty easy to navigate too.

[MJ1986]

Originally Posted by jmgg

I'm a lifelong resident of the Sioux Falls area. I can happily tell you that there isn't a single neighborhood in town that can be classified as a true "ghetto" type area. The Sioux Falls police years ago have made a special effort to crush any gang activity in this town. Gang wanabees still exist, but they are not allowed to flourish.

Yes, there are several neighborhoods that aren't too desireable. However, I would not consider them very dangerous, just "ethnically challenged".

One area is from 10th street west of Minnesota AVe. to Grange Ave. on the west edge, north to approx. 15th ave. This area is currently part of a city wide renovation project..

Another area is between 12th St east of Cliff, north through Riverside (which is mostly a blue collar area and not necessarily run down) and east to I-229 with the exception of the Leaders area north to Rice street (which is pretty nice).

Above the Morrells packing house hill to the north is the Norton-Froehlich area which can be somewhat rough but in general is mostly a blue collar area and not what I would call a really dangerous area.

Jmgg pretty much hit it on the spot.
I would go to maps.google.com or Mapquest.com and plug in a few of your listings that you are looking at.

Like jmgg said, there are no "ghettos", just less desirable areas.
I would avoid the area just north of downtown, and the area just west of Minnesota Avenue between 8th & 14th. Downtown is centered around 9th & Phillips Avenue.

I would probably stray away from anything near Cliff Avenue between I-90 and 10th Street. That area is very industrialized. I've driven through a few of the neighborhoods up there, and it's very trashy and unkempt...Like I always say, its an opinion, not a fact.

With your price range, I think you can find a very nice home.
I would also check out Brandon, Tea, Harrisburg, and Hartford.

[fatman66]

Thanks for the replies so far. It's nice to know that there are not any really bad areas, just some that are not as good as the others. With that said, the details of where to avoid in SF itself were spectacular. Anyone reading/ lurking please feel free to them coming.
On another note my wife and I are a little aprehesive about moving to SF since we spent all or lives in the North East. I've heard that midwesternes are generally friendly and accepting so I'm not too worried. What concerns us is going somewhere that we knwo literally no one. Can anyone give me a feel for how you fine folks in South Dakota interact with "carpet baggers" like myself who move in from out of state? Is it the kind of area where people want to get to know their neighbors (even the new ones with the nasally Great Lakes accents) and involve them into the neighborhood or do peole just prefer a polite "Hello" or nod and go about their business? My guess is that Sioux Falls is rather cosmopolitan due to the level of growth there but does this tned to hold true to the smaller "Suburbs" (thnaks Jammie for the clarification) like Tea, Harrisburg, Brandon, ect... as well or do they have a more distict samll town atmosphere? You have all been vey helpful so far and thanks in advance for anymore assistance.

[Jammie]

You shouldn't have any problem. Just start talking to someone. That's what we always do.

Seriously, if you're in the park or out enjoying a concert or sitting at a counter in a restaurant, you can generally find someone to strike up a conversation with. If you go to church, you will surely find friends there. The same holds true if you have children in school and the workplace is also a place to meet people.

People will be more interested in hearing about the place you came from and what brought you to So. Dak. then in being rude or shunning you. If you bump into someone who is rude or doesn't wanna talk, just move on to the next person. We do have a few strange people here, but you'll find the larger percentage to be friendly.

[rjl78]

I have no problem striking up a conversation. My grandfather was the same way.

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by fatman66

Thanks for the replies so far. It's nice to know that there are not any really bad areas, just some that are not as good as the others. With that said, the details of where to avoid in SF itself were spectacular. Anyone reading/ lurking please feel free to them coming.
On another note my wife and I are a little aprehesive about moving to SF since we spent all or lives in the North East. I've heard that midwesternes are generally friendly and accepting so I'm not too worried. What concerns us is going somewhere that we knwo literally no one. Can anyone give me a feel for how you fine folks in South Dakota interact with "carpet baggers" like myself who move in from out of state? Is it the kind of area where people want to get to know their neighbors (even the new ones with the nasally Great Lakes accents) and involve them into the neighborhood or do peole just prefer a polite "Hello" or nod and go about their business? My guess is that Sioux Falls is rather cosmopolitan due to the level of growth there but does this tned to hold true to the smaller "Suburbs" (thnaks Jammie for the clarification) like Tea, Harrisburg, Brandon, ect... as well or do they have a more distict samll town atmosphere? You have all been vey helpful so far and thanks in advance for anymore assistance.

The over the chain link fence neighboring can be somewhat limited in Sioux Falls and a couple of the smaller outlying towns like Brandon and Harrisburg. In general, you will meet the neighbors behind you, on both sides of you and maybe a couple across the street from you fairly quickly. After that, it depends a lot on how aggressive you are to go and meet people since Sioux Falls is getting to be somewhat of a large city. With Brandon and Harrisburg, they've grown so fast in recent years that there are more new people than homegrown small town people living there now.

If you make an effort to meet people out here, in most cases people will respond to you positively.

If you're looking for a real small town atmosphere, I would look to the towns outside of approx. 15 miles from Sioux Falls.

[MJ1986]

Originally Posted by fatman66

Thanks for the replies so far. It's nice to know that there are not any really bad areas, just some that are not as good as the others. With that said, the details of where to avoid in SF itself were spectacular. Anyone reading/ lurking please feel free to them coming.
On another note my wife and I are a little aprehesive about moving to SF since we spent all or lives in the North East. I've heard that midwesternes are generally friendly and accepting so I'm not too worried. What concerns us is going somewhere that we knwo literally no one. Can anyone give me a feel for how you fine folks in South Dakota interact with "carpet baggers" like myself who move in from out of state? Is it the kind of area where people want to get to know their neighbors (even the new ones with the nasally Great Lakes accents) and involve them into the neighborhood or do peole just prefer a polite "Hello" or nod and go about their business? My guess is that Sioux Falls is rather cosmopolitan due to the level of growth there but does this tned to hold true to the smaller "Suburbs" (thnaks Jammie for the clarification) like Tea, Harrisburg, Brandon, ect... as well or do they have a more distict samll town atmosphere? You have all been vey helpful so far and thanks in advance for anymore assistance.

Jammie's right... Not actual suburbs...although the surrounding towns (Tea, Harrisburg, and Brandon) are becoming more and more intertwined with Sioux Falls in many aspects. There are schools located in Sioux Falls, but are in the Harrisburg school district. Infrastructure planning is in the works for the east side of Sioux Falls... Brandon, located east of Sioux Falls (about 5 miles), is a well-established community, with a population of about 6,000.

I wouldn't be surprised within 10 years that the city limits of SF and the city limits of Brandon and maybe Tea are connected.

Harrisburg is like Tea not too long ago. A small town, but growth is happening rather rapidly.

Tea, Harrisburg, and Brandon have no bad areas, obviously. They are often referred to as "bedroom communities"... Which is somewhat accurate I guess. Tea and Brandon both have a local grocery store chain... both have the usual services... medical clinics, restaurants, gas stations, etc.