Anyone here in Aberdeen? (Sioux Falls: real estate, house, purchase)

[pic-chic]

There's a chance of my husband getting a job near Aberdeen and I was hoping someone could tell me more than what I can find on the Chamber of Commerce site and such. What kind of feel does the town have? We'd be moving from western PA, so we're used to rural, but he grew up in NJ and I lived in eastern MA for 14 years. We'd both like to live where we have some space around the house (and we have 4 dogs), but I do like nice shopping and good food.

[SDbill]

Pic-Chic,

I just spent 30 minutes writing a response to your post, but it didn't take and I lost it (ugh).

Anyway, I grew up and lived in Aberdeen for years. I still go to Aberdeen to see my mother and my wife's folks. My dad was mayor of Aberdeen when I was a kid. Here are my opinions:

Advantages:
Within 12 minutes of both Richmond (okay fishing and great frisbee golf course) and Mina Lake (terrible fishing). You should be able to purchase a reasonably-priced acreage or home on either lake. I have a friend that is a trust-worthy Realtor in Aberdeen. He's Craig Mickelson at 605-229-5252.
Wylie Park-has large pond for swimming/fishing and Story Book located there as well. Great facility, particularly if you have children.
Great for pheasant, deer, dove and waterfowl hunters. Only 1.5-2 hours to the Missouri River for walleye fishing.
Northern State University has the Barnett Center-good place to watch basketball in the winter.
They are finally starting to get a few decent franchise/fast food places (Culvers/Qdoba).
IMO the Catholic School System does a good job educating students (I attended both private and public school).
Good, working class-type folks.
Lots of tennis courts for some reason.
The newer YMCA has an okay indoor water park.

Disadvantages:
Ridiculously cold winters.
Serious lack of shopping and decent places to eat. You'll have to drive 3 hours to Sioux Falls or 5 hours to Minneapolis for decent food/shopping.
Older demographic.
Several go-go bars.

If you're looking for a slower pace, can deal with the cold weather and live w/o the shopping and dining, then it may be a good fit. Feel free to contact me with any specific questions. Good luck!

Bill

[pic-chic]

Thanks a lot, Bill! I grew up in upstate NY, so I think I can live with cold winters. Or I'll learn to knit. Good to know a name for real estate, too.