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I'm beginning to do research trying to figure out where to move that will put me within half a days drive of the Mayo clinic in Rochester MN. I know nothing about South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, or Wisconsin. I'm a Boomer, and my reasons for moving are mainly health based. I'd like to find a place where the cost of living doesn't cost me three arms and a leg. I'd also like to be where jobs are not difficult to find where I can have a short commute (within 20 miles or so) from home. I'd appreciate any help I can get in this endeavor.
I just moved to South Dakota from the Rochester area of MN, so may be able to advise you.
Sioux Falls is an easy 4 hr. drive to Rochester. Others on this forum can tell you more about life in Sioux Falls; as I chose a community further away. Health care options in SF itself are said to be very good. It is also said to have a strong economy right now, so depending on what you do for a living you might have a better chance of finding work there than elsewhere.
In general, I have found that the cost of living is much lower in SD, with the exception of housing. Looking specifically at the cost of housing in Sioux Falls, you might want to think about the MN communities of Austin or Albert Lea instead. These towns have very affordable housing. However, they also have a more sluggish economy than Sioux Falls and I don't know how hard it would be to find a job in either town.
Since Rochester itself has a growing economy right now you might just want to see if you can find a job within commuting distance there. Look at the small towns to the west of Rochester for the lowest COL - if you go north, south or east your expenses will be higher. Looking east, LaCrosse Wisconsin is an easy commute to Rochester, and the cost of housing there is low, but other than that the COL is much much higher in Wisconsin. Looking south to Iowa, you would have to go a fair distance to easily find employment (depending on what you do) and the drive to Rochester would take much longer due to winding 2 lane roads.
Sioux Falls might be a very good choice for you; take a good look at the statistics and see what you think!
I'm a cancer survivor and going through chemotherapy does some strange things to you internally. I chose Mayo Clinic because they are highly rated. The hospitals in my local area are good but they're not centers of excellence like MD Anderson or the Mayo Clinic. I'll definitely check out the housing in Sioux Falls. By the way, how do you like Sioux Falls compared to Rochester MN?
As someone who chooses a rural life, I wouldn't choose either city myself, so can't advise you. And it REALLY depends on what you can do for a living.
I think you should take into account the weather in this region, though. Winter extremes can turn a 4 hour drive into an 8 hour or longer drive. If you really want to be near the Mayo, you should probably just live in or close to Rochester.
In case you haven't found these already, here are the SD and MN job sites:
Also, if you are interested in a technical field and need education, in SD there are free scholarships available if you commit to working in SD after your training. I think this is very cool! Build Dakota Scholarship Program
Just wanted to add that MNSure, the state run health care exchange that is income adjusted (like Obamacare), has a Mayo option with Medica - it is for people who live in the following MN counties: Blue Earth, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Le Sueur, Martin, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan, and Winona.
And there are satellite Mayo clinics in smaller communities, which can be a useful connection so that you don't have to run to Rochester all the time: Locations - Mayo Clinic Health System
(Sorry topic veered off state, South Dakota mod. To bring it back I'll say - Sioux Falls, SD is still a great community for the OP to consider!)
Just wanted to add that MNSure, the state run health care exchange that is income adjusted (like Obamacare), has a Mayo option with Medica - it is for people who live in the following MN counties: Blue Earth, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Le Sueur, Martin, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan, and Winona.
Not wanting to scare off the OP, that sounds just like the list of counties they recite every time there is a tornado watch!
Thanks for the information on the satellite clinics. I'll have to take some time and visit these areas before I make my decision on where to settle. After surviving cancer nothing much really deters you, even the fear of death. Everyday you wake up is a good day no matter what happens. You just make the best of what comes next.
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