Sioux Falls Neighborhoods (apartment complexes, rental, crime rates)

[EastCoastEscapee]

Howdy, everyone.

I recently escaped from the east coast (Baltimore) to SD.

My experience is mostly in the rural, western part of the state, but I may be doing some training at Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls. I'll admit that I basically drove past SF, so I don't know too much about the city.

I'm currently exploring housing options, and would like to find something relatively near the hospital. There are a few apartment complexes I'm looking at, more or less along the Beadle Greenway, and north of the hospital. On paper, it looks like like an ideal location: walking distance to the hospital (0.5 mi) and a grocery, a mile from downtown, and there's the Greenway.

Does anyone know this area? What's it like real-world vs. paper?

I spent most of my life in the city with the second-highest per capita murder rate in the country, so I'm sure anything is an improvement over what I'm used to. However, I'd still like to avoid "the ghetto."

Thanks for your input!

[Jammie]

Even though I don't live in Sx. Falls, I know the area you're thinking about. You'll be fine there. There actually is no real ghetto area in Sx. Falls. As far as safety, it's one of the safest cities in the country considering it's size. I know someone who lives there will come along and further put your mind at ease.

Good luck to you.

Just wanted to add a couple stats~

http://www.city-data.com/city/Sioux-...th-Dakota.html

http://www.city-data.com/city/Baltimore-Maryland.html

If you scroll down on each of these sites, you'll see the difference in crime rates. I used to actually think Sx. Falls had quite a bit of crime from listening to the news, but the more I learn about the outside world, Sx. Falls has nothing for crime.

[DeadwoodJ]

That area is pretty good, if you need walking distance to the hospital, if you can stand driving, there are several apartment complexes on East 26th street (no more than 2 miles from McKennan), my wife and I stayed at a great one when we first moved here a couple years ago before we bought our house, she works there and she had no problem getting to work every day, took about 10 minutes or so even on that street......The only 'ghetto' that is in Sioux Falls is nothing like what you're imagining in any of the larger cities and its West of Minnesota Ave, granted, there are less desirable places throughout the city but pretty much any part of the city you're safe in at all times.

[jmgg]

There's some hit and miss more run down houses north and west of Avera McKennan. Notice that I didn't say areas. It's kind of a patchwork with some other very well maintained homes. Along 14th street (4 lane street 6 blocks north of Avera McKennan you'll find some pretty shabby living along with a couple pretty nice apartment complexes.

You'll find some decent, small rental houses east of Cliff Ave. that might be a better alternative than living in an apartment. These houses are a little more consistent at being kept up than they are northwest of Avera McKennan.

[Kbear62]

That is really important to note. I've lived here about a month now and you will see really nice neighborhoods surrounding some pretty dicey apartment complexes (41st just west of I-29) and the same with some neighboroods. No slums, just some neighborhoods that have seen better days (and it can change in less than a block) but nothing approaching what I've seen in Cleveland's neighborhoods where I came from.

I live in what I call 'Aparment city' south of the Empire Mall. My complete (Pembrooke Place) was built in 1983, is loaded with students and is starting to show its age. However, it offers a lot for the money and overall, I'm happy here. There are several complexes around me that offer a wide variety of apartment living. Rents here as opposed to what I'm sure you would pay in Baltimore, will blow your mind.

From here, on a decent day, it would only take me about 5-10 minutes to get to Avera by car. Hope that helps.

[EastCoastEscapee]

Thanks all.

JMGG, the 14th Street area is where I was looking.

Walking distance isn't a requirement, just a preference. Affordability will be a higher priority, since I'll be more or less living off of savings for the better part of a year while I'm there. Of course, I don't want to get shot, stabbed, or have my car stolen in a trade-off for savings.

Of course, I don't know what's the going rate is for apartments in the area either.

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by EastCoastEscapee

Thanks all.

JMGG, the 14th Street area is where I was looking.

Walking distance isn't a requirement, just a preference. Affordability will be a higher priority, since I'll be more or less living off of savings for the better part of a year while I'm there. Of course, I don't want to get shot, stabbed, or have my car stolen in a trade-off for savings.

Of course, I don't know what's the going rate is for apartments in the area either.

During the daytime, you can walk anywhere around the Avera McKennan Hospital campus and be perfectly safe. Late night walks northwest of the hospital area would usually be safe, but there are some pretty seedy charectors living in that area also.

[Camden Northsider]

Overall that's a nice area- the McKennan Park area is actually considered pretty desirable, and it's a beautiful park if you can find something close to it. 14th is probably the closest for apt complex areas, but you'll find some low-rise/stand-alone apt buildings throughout the area between avera mckennan to sanford and around the colleges. I used to rent a house with some friends across the street from USF on W 22nd (and went to Augie for a year) and enjoyed living in the area.

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by Camden Northsider

Overall that's a nice area- the McKennan Park area is actually considered pretty desirable, and it's a beautiful park if you can find something close to it. 14th is probably the closest for apt complex areas, but you'll find some low-rise/stand-alone apt buildings throughout the area between avera mckennan to sanford and around the colleges. I used to rent a house with some friends across the street from USF on W 22nd (and went to Augie for a year) and enjoyed living in the area.

Big, enormous difference in areas between that which is northwest of Avera McKennan and the areas straight west and southwest. The houses around McKennan are some of the nicest, best kept old mansions in Sioux Falls. It rivals the historic district in the St. Joseph's Cathedral area. South of McKennan Park is also quite upscale with some older homes that are quite expensive.

Going northwest of the hospital, this area changes fast. Not necessarily terrible, but light years in difference from the neighborhoods to the south.

[EastCoastEscapee]

Originally Posted by jmgg

Big, enormous difference in areas between that which is northwest of Avera McKennan and the areas straight west and southwest. The houses around McKennan are some of the nicest, best kept old mansions in Sioux Falls. It rivals the historic district in the St. Joseph's Cathedral area. South of McKennan Park is also quite upscale with some older homes that are quite expensive.

Going northwest of the hospital, this area changes fast. Not necessarily terrible, but light years in difference from the neighborhoods to the south.

I've looked at the Google maps street view, and the area west of the hospital does seem very nice, with lots of trees (in South Dakota?!?! ) and well-kept single family dwellings.

In a sense, it's not unlike the neighborhood I grew up in. Except Sioux Falls has less drug addicts on the corners, less plywood over the windows, etc.