Sioux Falls vs Rapid City (Lake City: crime, to live, restaurant) - South Dakota (SD) - City-Data Forum

censusdata · 06-09-2009, 03:34 PM

I noticed SD is one of the few state threads w/o a poll/ thread about which of it's biggest cities people like better.

My impression as an outsider is the Sioux Falls is more Midwestern (it's only 30 minutes from Iowa & Minnesota), is larger and faster growing, and has a more diversified economy. The main drawback would be the lack of natural scenery and higher humidity.

By contrast Rapid City is more of a Western city (only 57 miles on I-90 from Wyoming) with less population/ amenities, but is surrounded by incredible scenery - Mt Rushmore/ Crazy Horse monuments, the Needles Peaks in the Black Hills, and even Devils Tower in WY. It also has lots of cool tourist traps like the reptile & bear zoos

What do the natives think?

DannyBanany · 06-09-2009, 03:44 PM

I like Rapid City's setting and Sioux Falls amentities. I always say that if Sioux Falls was in Rapid City's location it would be a perfect city. I chose Rapid City not only because I live there but because it is so beautiful that Sioux Falls can't even compare. It is the only place in South Dakota where it is usually warm, you are almost guaranteed a mountain view, and you can go hiking in the woods all day and still be back in town to catch a bite at a chain restaurant.

Not to mention, Rapid City has a better overall arts scene, downtown, and recreational activities. Sioux Falls has us beat on shopping and proximity to larger cities though. Hopefully Rapid City's shopping will get better soon and travel time to Denver-Boulder will get cut down with the Heartland Expressway.

debey · 06-09-2009, 03:57 PM

I will not vote. I have never had to live, in either City, therefore...............

MJ1986 · 06-09-2009, 06:49 PM

I voted for Sioux Falls.

I do agree with Danny... Even though I'm not very familiar with Rapid City... It's been 2-3 years since I've been there... before that trip, the last trip to Rapid City was at least 10 years back.
I loved the scenery of Rapid, and all of the Black Hills. When I was there (in July), tourists are everywhere... I saw license plates from all over, just in my short drives in Rapid. I think tourism is a huge thing for Rapid City.
I'm not trying to put down Rapid City, but from 1999-2007 (most recent year), RC had a higher city-data.com crime index. I'm not sure how this is compiled.

censusdata · 06-09-2009, 06:56 PM

Can anyone answer whether each are Midwestern in feel or is RC more of the cultural 'gateway' to the Mountain West? Does SF feel more like Des Moines, Indianapolis, or even Cincinnati? As a Kentuckian I've always thought of South Dakota as more of a Western state, given its large Indian population and scenic mountain areas around the Black Hills & Badlands

MJ1986 · 06-09-2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by censusdata

Can anyone answer whether each are Midwestern in feel or is RC more of the cultural 'gateway' to the Mountain West? Does SF feel more like Des Moines, Indianapolis, or even Cincinnati? As a Kentuckian I've always thought of South Dakota as more of a Western state, given its large Indian population and scenic mountain areas around the Black Hills & Badlands

Honestly, the Missouri River through the center of the state is a major divider. SF is definite Midwestern feel... Much like Des Moines, Omaha, etc.
West of the Missouri River is less dense populations. The topography is more diverse, and the scenery is awesome in the Black Hills (south and west of Rapid City).
Rapid City has a larger Native American population, due to its close location to the Indian Reservations.
If I had to say, I would call West River "Western" and East River "Midwest".

eric#1 · 06-09-2009, 07:27 PM

I have to say I prefer Rapid - Sioux Falls is nice but my vote lies in the fact that the space around a city is more important to me than what is in the city.

DannyBanany · 06-09-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by censusdata

Can anyone answer whether each are Midwestern in feel or is RC more of the cultural 'gateway' to the Mountain West? Does SF feel more like Des Moines, Indianapolis, or even Cincinnati? As a Kentuckian I've always thought of South Dakota as more of a Western state, given its large Indian population and scenic mountain areas around the Black Hills & Badlands

Yes, I'd say Rapid City is the "furthest east Western town". It has more of an outdoorsy feel to it that is similar to Denver, Salt Lake City, and the Western US. Western SD has ranches and cabins while Eastern SD has farms and cottages.

If you've been to Colorado, Rapid City has the same vibe as the Front Range cities. I often compare Rapid City to Boulder, Loveland, and Fort Collins.

Sioux Falls is comparable to Minneapolis suburbs like Bloomington and Plymouth- both of which are very nice, highly rated cities.

leroyleroux · 06-10-2009, 08:35 AM

I say a few years ago, I would have preferred Sioux Falls. Today, probably Rapid City, but I would prefer to live outside of town either way.

Jammie · 06-11-2009, 10:34 PM

I like both cities even though I've never lived in either one and I also chose not to participate in the poll. Neither one is really better then the other. They're just a bit different.

Even though I live near Sx. Falls and it's a great city, I can't argue that the Rapid City area is more scenic. Some of the most beautiful scenery in the country is in the RC area.

And I agree, the Hills area does have a bit of a Western feel to it, but it's still very Midwestern.