SD: New home? (Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen: appointed, camping, living in)

[filmsniffer]

Hi.

I'm seriously considering making SD my new home. What I like about is the low costs. Are everything that low, or will I be paying out Moderator cut: words removed somewhere else to compensate?

I have been looking around the Rapid City area. I read the west versus east threads, but they don't really pin it down for me. What I want is a rural place that won't wipe out my life savings. I'm looking for at least an acre with a frame house. Nothing above $50k. It can be anywhere in SD. I'm somewhat disappointed in finding a rural place in SD. It seems like most places are still in the family of generations and generations which they won't give up anytime soon.

I'm a very outdoors man. Hunting, fishing, camping, etc. I travel frequently as well. Is the river the only 'big' place to fish? What kind of fish will I be expecting to catch?

I am coming from Maryland. Any input on the differences appreciated. I plan to drive up to SD mid August or September. Good time?

[blackhillsdreams]

Look in to the Central SD area, maybe even the Murdo or Mitchell areas. Lots of hunting and fishing spots around there, but mainly flat lands so winter winds and temps will be harsh. The Blackhills area is just simply awesome, but more expensive for sure. You might also consider the Southern Hills towns of Custer or Hot Springs.

Best of luck.

[DannyBanany]

The closer you get to the Black Hills, the more expensive it will be. One great suggestion is Chamberlain-Oacoma. It's very hilly and the Missouri River is gorgeous. You'll catch a lot of walleye, carp, and trout in South Dakota.

[debey]

Originally Posted by DannyBanany

The closer you get to the Black Hills, the more expensive it will be. One great suggestion is Chamberlain-Oacoma. It's very hilly and the Missouri River is gorgeous. You'll catch a lot of walleye, carp, and trout in South Dakota.

What about northern pike, catfish,perch, blue giil, bullheads, and paddlefish......if you win a draw, in the lottery? LOL.....
Common Fishes of South Dakota

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by filmsniffer

Hi.

I'm seriously considering making SD my new home. What I like about is the low costs. Are everything that low, or will I be paying out Moderator cut: words removed somewhere else to compensate?

I have been looking around the Rapid City area. I read the west versus east threads, but they don't really pin it down for me. What I want is a rural place that won't wipe out my life savings. I'm looking for at least an acre with a frame house. Nothing above $50k. It can be anywhere in SD. I'm somewhat disappointed in finding a rural place in SD. It seems like most places are still in the family of generations and generations which they won't give up anytime soon.

I'm a very outdoors man. Hunting, fishing, camping, etc. I travel frequently as well. Is the river the only 'big' place to fish? What kind of fish will I be expecting to catch?

I am coming from Maryland. Any input on the differences appreciated. I plan to drive up to SD mid August or September. Good time?

I'm sorry. I moved from the Black Hills 30 years ago. The prices that you are looking for are rediculous.

I can give you some recommendations on So Dak, but I don't think they'll be what your looking for. So Dak ain't that cheap anymore. Hasn't been for 30 years. At least, not in my familiar area.

[jmgg]

You're not going to find anything worth living in within close driving proximity of Sioux Falls on 1 acre of land for $ 50,000. You'll have a much better shot in central SD, but jobs can be scarce. If you can conduct your career not being close to a larger city and not being close to dependable air travel, you should be able to find what you're looking for there.

[filmsniffer]

Well, this is disappointing.

The fish list was looking so damn good! Grumble...

OK - What is a good place to go look for properties in Central SD? Realtor.com isn't giving up anything good besides Pierre.

No worries about jobs, I've already put in a lifetime's worth! I don't care for airports, either. I don't want to fly anymore since 9/11 happened.

[DannyBanany]

Chamberlain. It's gorgeous and it's probably as close to the Black Hills' beauty as you'll come. My cousin moved there from Omaha because he fell in love with the area. Now he's a happy stay-at-home dad and he goes fishing all the time.

[jmgg]

My suggestion is to dig out your atlas and look for any community in the eastern 1/2 of the state at least 15 to 20 miles from a population base. By population base I would consider any town of 10,000 population or more. Examples of such being Yankton, Mitchell, Brookings, Watertown, and Aberdeen. There would be quite a few 1 to 2 acre former farmsteads that you should be able to pick up for around $ 50,000. Some possible locations to consider would be houses on the edge of a small town that may be in the town's city limits. Many towns struggle to keep their population since availability of jobs are slim. Sometimes, very nice homes can be purchased way under the price you'd pay for a similar structure in a larger town.

Your odds of finding something anywhere in the western 1/2 of the state won't be good. This is more ranch country, thus existing old acreages that aren't tied to a much larger ranch are pretty slim. Once again, you may find bargains IN a small town.

[rjl78]

Chamberlain or Mobridge. Mobridge is right on the edge of BFE... But the fishing and hunting is good.