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Tell me about Sioux Falls....
5/27/2010 5:28:56 PM
All:
I just graduated from nursing school in Wisconsin and am looking to settle down with my wife and kids. I'm from western Nebraska originally (North Platte area). I've lived in south central Wisconsin since 2000 (Madison area), but am sick of south central Wisconsin's high taxes, expensive housing, govt. regulation, liberal politics, and Fudds. I want to live within a 7 hour drive from my parents in North Platte and have narrowed my search down to South Dakota because of the low taxes and limited government regulation. I've visited Rapid City in the summer. It was insanely hot and dry. No thanks. I'm looking to live near or in Sioux Falls and will probably rent first until I get the lay of the land. My goal is to get a chunk of land somewhere within 30 miles of the city. I'm 36 and this would be a "permanent" relocation.
Questions:
Where are the "hoods" (section 8 housing, etc.) in Sioux Falls?
What gun stores and ranges are in Sioux Falls and the nearby area?
What hospitals are in Sioux Falls and where are they?
Is Brandon really the only good "suburb" of Sioux Falls?
If I decide to rent, what does a decent 3 bedroom house in a decent neighborhood go for?
Thanks all....
AV1611 out.........
I just graduated from nursing school in Wisconsin and am looking to settle down with my wife and kids. I'm from western Nebraska originally (North Platte area). I've lived in south central Wisconsin since 2000 (Madison area), but am sick of south central Wisconsin's high taxes, expensive housing, govt. regulation, liberal politics, and Fudds. I want to live within a 7 hour drive from my parents in North Platte and have narrowed my search down to South Dakota because of the low taxes and limited government regulation. I've visited Rapid City in the summer. It was insanely hot and dry. No thanks. I'm looking to live near or in Sioux Falls and will probably rent first until I get the lay of the land. My goal is to get a chunk of land somewhere within 30 miles of the city. I'm 36 and this would be a "permanent" relocation.
Questions:
Where are the "hoods" (section 8 housing, etc.) in Sioux Falls?
What gun stores and ranges are in Sioux Falls and the nearby area?
What hospitals are in Sioux Falls and where are they?
Is Brandon really the only good "suburb" of Sioux Falls?
If I decide to rent, what does a decent 3 bedroom house in a decent neighborhood go for?
Thanks all....
AV1611 out.........
5/27/2010 8:04:27 PM
rapid is hot and dry sioux falls is hot and humid really humid in late july and august. there are plenty of towns 30 miles in any direction from sioux falls all got pluses and minus's. Two hospitals, sanford, and avera . two large gun shops in town garys gun shop and scheels multiple small shops run out of peoples basements. crooks gun club has an outdoor range, garretson has a real nice one that isnt even to bad. has a 200/100 and 0/50. you use a key card to get in and it costs 50 dollars a year and 10 dollars for the card. they also have skeet range with wednesday night leage and a single thrower if you want to go out at a off time. as for a bad places to live i would just avoid the down town areas. as for rent i would look into argus leader.com the local paper or keloland.com in their classified area and it will give you an idea what it is like here. i would not live anywhere else.
6/1/2010 9:15:41 AM
There are actually 3 hospitals is SF. Sanford, Avera, and the VA. All located in the center of town. Lots of clinics for these 3 all over though.
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Brandon is not the only decent suburb. Plenty of small towns and the south side of SF has some nice areas.
Stay away from the downtown area and the John Morrel area. 750 bucks a month should get you a decent place in a nice area IF you don't have a dog. If you've got a dog good luck.
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Climate is very similar to Wisconsin. Four distinct seasons.
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Plenty of places to shoot.
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Like the poster above said, I wouldn't live anywhere else. Work hard, pay your bills, do the right thing and you'll live a high quality life.
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Brandon is not the only decent suburb. Plenty of small towns and the south side of SF has some nice areas.
Stay away from the downtown area and the John Morrel area. 750 bucks a month should get you a decent place in a nice area IF you don't have a dog. If you've got a dog good luck.
.
Climate is very similar to Wisconsin. Four distinct seasons.
.
Plenty of places to shoot.
.
Like the poster above said, I wouldn't live anywhere else. Work hard, pay your bills, do the right thing and you'll live a high quality life.
6/1/2010 9:52:23 AM
Originally Posted By AV1611:
All:
I just graduated from nursing school in Wisconsin and am looking to settle down with my wife and kids. I'm from western Nebraska originally (North Platte area). I've lived in south central Wisconsin since 2000 (Madison area), but am sick of south central Wisconsin's high taxes, expensive housing, govt. regulation, liberal politics, and Fudds. I want to live within a 7 hour drive from my parents in North Platte and have narrowed my search down to South Dakota because of the low taxes and limited government regulation. I've visited Rapid City in the summer. It was insanely hot and dry. No thanks. I'm looking to live near or in Sioux Falls and will probably rent first until I get the lay of the land. My goal is to get a chunk of land somewhere within 30 miles of the city. I'm 36 and this would be a "permanent" relocation.
Questions:
Where are the "hoods" (section 8 housing, etc.) in Sioux Falls?
Central Sioux Falls and North Sioux Falls can be a little rough depending on the area. Typically the older parts of town with basic housing. Any of the new burbs are decent but some of the lower cost new housing draws the multiple project cars/speed boats/campers/fill up every inch of driveway and all area curb space type people. Otherwise its just a drive past and see type of deal. Bad neighbors can be in the best neighborhoods.
What gun stores and ranges are in Sioux Falls and the nearby area?
Garys Gun Shop is the biggest "Gun Store" with a indoor range and suppressors. I dont particulalry care for them but they are about all that is around. Scheels is a big box store that has decent prices on stuff too but no range or anything. other outdoor ranges I dont have alot of experience with(I shoot at a friends gravel pits and my parents farm back in MN)
What hospitals are in Sioux Falls and where are they?
Sanford Health is kind of the top dog if you ask me. They have an extensive network and nice campus. They also offer Sanford Healthcare plans that are decent. My wife is a GI nurse there and they took the least pay cuts and job cuts during the big dip lastyear. Avera is pretty nice too with a brand new Cancer Center and a nice campus. The VA is also nice although a little older building. SF is also the base for Good Sam witch is a group of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Is Brandon really the only good "suburb" of Sioux Falls?
Brandon is the biggest of the burbs and probably the most money. I live in Harrisburg and like it(very quiet) The cost of a new house isnt to bad either and if you have kids we have all new schools with another new elementary on the way. Taxes do suck a little but it will hopefully only get better sinces its a bit of a boom town. I also think it will get more popular as the east side of Sioux Falls continues to expandt with a new Target/Hohls/Movie theatre/outdoor shopping center on that side which is a short drive from Harrisburg.
If I decide to rent, what does a decent 3 bedroom house in a decent neighborhood go for?
Id guess over a grand which could get you into a new split level home with 11000+ sq feet and 3 stall garage.
Thanks all....
AV1611 out.........
All:
I just graduated from nursing school in Wisconsin and am looking to settle down with my wife and kids. I'm from western Nebraska originally (North Platte area). I've lived in south central Wisconsin since 2000 (Madison area), but am sick of south central Wisconsin's high taxes, expensive housing, govt. regulation, liberal politics, and Fudds. I want to live within a 7 hour drive from my parents in North Platte and have narrowed my search down to South Dakota because of the low taxes and limited government regulation. I've visited Rapid City in the summer. It was insanely hot and dry. No thanks. I'm looking to live near or in Sioux Falls and will probably rent first until I get the lay of the land. My goal is to get a chunk of land somewhere within 30 miles of the city. I'm 36 and this would be a "permanent" relocation.
Questions:
Where are the "hoods" (section 8 housing, etc.) in Sioux Falls?
Central Sioux Falls and North Sioux Falls can be a little rough depending on the area. Typically the older parts of town with basic housing. Any of the new burbs are decent but some of the lower cost new housing draws the multiple project cars/speed boats/campers/fill up every inch of driveway and all area curb space type people. Otherwise its just a drive past and see type of deal. Bad neighbors can be in the best neighborhoods.
What gun stores and ranges are in Sioux Falls and the nearby area?
Garys Gun Shop is the biggest "Gun Store" with a indoor range and suppressors. I dont particulalry care for them but they are about all that is around. Scheels is a big box store that has decent prices on stuff too but no range or anything. other outdoor ranges I dont have alot of experience with(I shoot at a friends gravel pits and my parents farm back in MN)
What hospitals are in Sioux Falls and where are they?
Sanford Health is kind of the top dog if you ask me. They have an extensive network and nice campus. They also offer Sanford Healthcare plans that are decent. My wife is a GI nurse there and they took the least pay cuts and job cuts during the big dip lastyear. Avera is pretty nice too with a brand new Cancer Center and a nice campus. The VA is also nice although a little older building. SF is also the base for Good Sam witch is a group of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Is Brandon really the only good "suburb" of Sioux Falls?
Brandon is the biggest of the burbs and probably the most money. I live in Harrisburg and like it(very quiet) The cost of a new house isnt to bad either and if you have kids we have all new schools with another new elementary on the way. Taxes do suck a little but it will hopefully only get better sinces its a bit of a boom town. I also think it will get more popular as the east side of Sioux Falls continues to expandt with a new Target/Hohls/Movie theatre/outdoor shopping center on that side which is a short drive from Harrisburg.
If I decide to rent, what does a decent 3 bedroom house in a decent neighborhood go for?
Id guess over a grand which could get you into a new split level home with 11000+ sq feet and 3 stall garage.
Thanks all....
AV1611 out.........
6/1/2010 9:54:29 AM
Should also say SIoux Falls has ranked top in the nation to start a career or business for the last couple of years. Nice low crime rate and low cost of living. Its a huge medical town so if your a RN you will have unlimited job opportunities.
6/4/2010 11:09:03 PM
There are actually 5 hospitals in SF : Avera Heart Hospital of SD, Avera McKennan Hospital, Sanford/USD Hospital, Sioux Falls Surgical Hospital, & VA Medical Center. All decent places to work as a nurse
6/14/2010 11:27:54 PM
If you were looking in the 30 mile range, there is Dell Rapids, Canton, Beresford, Brandon, Tea, Lennox and a lot of smaller towns. They all seem to be pretty decent places to live. As far as Sioux Falls goes, the growing areas seem to be on the other side of I229 right now. The areas around the colleges (University of Sioux Falls and Augustana College) and around the hospitals are decent middle class. The northern part is the sketchier side of town. Its a great place to raise a family in my opinion, I came to Sioux Falls as a student (actually in nursing at Augustana) and I have loved it so far, lots of opportunities.
As far as getting a job, Sanford tends to have 10-20 RN jobs open at any one time and Avera tends to have about the same. I am an employee of a Sanford network hospital and a student with Avera, so I have experience with both places, Sanford is fairly modern and more on the "corporate" side as opposed to Avera who isn't quite as nice but does have a pretty warm feeling. I have interviewed and done things at both places and they both have their pros and cons. A lot depends on specialty too. If you are looking for a smaller hospital to start out in, Dell Rapids has an Avera affiliated hospital and Canton has a Sanford affiliated hospital, that would be another thought.
Hope that answered some questions
Edit: As far as housing costs go, my brother bought a house on the east side of Sioux Falls on the other side of I229 a couple years ago (before the recession) for $119,000. It had 4 bedrooms and 1.5 baths in a decent neighborhood.
As far as getting a job, Sanford tends to have 10-20 RN jobs open at any one time and Avera tends to have about the same. I am an employee of a Sanford network hospital and a student with Avera, so I have experience with both places, Sanford is fairly modern and more on the "corporate" side as opposed to Avera who isn't quite as nice but does have a pretty warm feeling. I have interviewed and done things at both places and they both have their pros and cons. A lot depends on specialty too. If you are looking for a smaller hospital to start out in, Dell Rapids has an Avera affiliated hospital and Canton has a Sanford affiliated hospital, that would be another thought.
Hope that answered some questions
Edit: As far as housing costs go, my brother bought a house on the east side of Sioux Falls on the other side of I229 a couple years ago (before the recession) for $119,000. It had 4 bedrooms and 1.5 baths in a decent neighborhood.
6/23/2010 10:10:35 AM
SF is a nice town of about 50K people that grew 4x that size in the past 20 years. Its a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there. As stated above there are many smaller communities around the city that while they do not have the amenities of the bigger city they are within a short hop. That way you can get into and out of the rat race without having to deal with the hassle every day. Living expenses for housing would be less in a smaller community but along with that goes the small town attitude and neighborliness that you may not find in another place. One other thing to remember is that if you have kids a smaller community means a smaller school which in an of itself can also be a benefit. Smaller class sizes, more access to teachers and a good atmosphere for learning as well. This is not a slam to SF teachers or schools its just a reality of a smaller community compared to a larger city.
Either way welcome to SD and hope you enjoy your stay.
OBTW depending upon your interests in your career smaller communities are seeking qualified people who can fill a much needed slot and you'd get to see a lot more variety in patients if that is your cup of tea.
Either way welcome to SD and hope you enjoy your stay.
OBTW depending upon your interests in your career smaller communities are seeking qualified people who can fill a much needed slot and you'd get to see a lot more variety in patients if that is your cup of tea.
7/27/2010 10:32:45 AM
My family and I spent 3 days in SF and Brandon checking out houses with a realtor. I was amazed at how much house you can get for the $$$. In SF we found a ranch built in '73 with 1500 sf upstairs (all just renovated w/ brand new stainless steel appliances and granite counter top in the kitchen), 500 finished down + another 1,000 unfinished down. Brand new huge wood deck with a concrete patio underneath (steep property. Front door at ground level, door in basement leads out to underneath the wood deck above). Smallish back yard, but chain link fence. Quiet side street off E. 26th. $154,900. We visited Falls Park the morning after a long night of rain. The river was really full which meant that the falls were spectacular. Got plenty of good pics and footage. We really liked the town.
AV1611 out....
P.S.: What are local politics there like? Dems? Libs? etc.....
AV1611 out....
P.S.: What are local politics there like? Dems? Libs? etc.....
7/28/2010 7:50:17 AM
south dakota is generally a conservative state except for places like shannon county (indian reservations). sioux falls is split w/ liberal and conservative, but has a very, very active gun culture and the liberals range from pro gun to neutral. anti-gunners aren't common.
since the proximity to nebraska is part of your criteria have a look at yankton (sanford and avera presence - avera has a huge presence), and dakota dunes area (expensive place, but very attractive 'suburb' of sioux city; the dunes is loaded with professionals who work in or near sioux city, and then escape out of iowa's insanity to south dakota).
since the proximity to nebraska is part of your criteria have a look at yankton (sanford and avera presence - avera has a huge presence), and dakota dunes area (expensive place, but very attractive 'suburb' of sioux city; the dunes is loaded with professionals who work in or near sioux city, and then escape out of iowa's insanity to south dakota).
8/8/2010 1:47:35 PM
My wife said that there was a hiring freeze at the hospitals during the big dip in the economy but she doesn't know if that's still the case. Her mother is a float nurse at Avera and I'm pretty sure she prefers Avera over Sanford from the way she talks. I'm sure other people think otherwise but that's the info I have. It is a very nice town and once you figure out how to get around it doesn't take all that long to get anywhere.
Avoid Louise and 41st street during any high traffic times as that is the busiest intersection in the state. It is best to avoid driving on 41st st, Minnesota Ave, or Louise in general when it is busy as it will take longer. There are other side streets that can get you close to where you want to go. I live on the south side of town right now and work up by the airport and it takes me 15 minutes to get to work and 20 minutes to get home (the Louise Ave bridge over 229 gets backed up on my way home) But for working all the way across town it isn't too bad. If the weather's nice I just hop on the nighthawk and go.
Avoid Louise and 41st street during any high traffic times as that is the busiest intersection in the state. It is best to avoid driving on 41st st, Minnesota Ave, or Louise in general when it is busy as it will take longer. There are other side streets that can get you close to where you want to go. I live on the south side of town right now and work up by the airport and it takes me 15 minutes to get to work and 20 minutes to get home (the Louise Ave bridge over 229 gets backed up on my way home) But for working all the way across town it isn't too bad. If the weather's nice I just hop on the nighthawk and go.
8/9/2010 5:13:42 PM
Originally Posted By MachGT:
My wife said that there was a hiring freeze at the hospitals during the big dip in the economy but she doesn't know if that's still the case. Her mother is a float nurse at Avera and I'm pretty sure she prefers Avera over Sanford from the way she talks. I'm sure other people think otherwise but that's the info I have. It is a very nice town and once you figure out how to get around it doesn't take all that long to get anywhere.
Avoid Louise and 41st street during any high traffic times as that is the busiest intersection in the state. It is best to avoid driving on 41st st, Minnesota Ave, or Louise in general when it is busy as it will take longer. There are other side streets that can get you close to where you want to go. I live on the south side of town right now and work up by the airport and it takes me 15 minutes to get to work and 20 minutes to get home (the Louise Ave bridge over 229 gets backed up on my way home) But for working all the way across town it isn't too bad. If the weather's nice I just hop on the nighthawk and go.
My wife said that there was a hiring freeze at the hospitals during the big dip in the economy but she doesn't know if that's still the case. Her mother is a float nurse at Avera and I'm pretty sure she prefers Avera over Sanford from the way she talks. I'm sure other people think otherwise but that's the info I have. It is a very nice town and once you figure out how to get around it doesn't take all that long to get anywhere.
Avoid Louise and 41st street during any high traffic times as that is the busiest intersection in the state. It is best to avoid driving on 41st st, Minnesota Ave, or Louise in general when it is busy as it will take longer. There are other side streets that can get you close to where you want to go. I live on the south side of town right now and work up by the airport and it takes me 15 minutes to get to work and 20 minutes to get home (the Louise Ave bridge over 229 gets backed up on my way home) But for working all the way across town it isn't too bad. If the weather's nice I just hop on the nighthawk and go.
freeze went off a few months back. As far as Avera vs Sanford its pretty much personal opinion. All the people I work with are pretty partial to the company they work for. Sanford is a little more corporate vs Avera being a little more home town IMO. I also think both have great campuses but from what Ive seen at Avera most buildings have a older look to them on the insides.
8/10/2010 11:56:21 AM
I had two clinicals at University of Wisconsin Hospital - Madison. I didn't like it at all. The nurses were way too uptight and unfriendly. It's a research and teaching hospital. I'd probably enjoy the "friendlier" hospital feel whether they had the best equipment and buildings or not.
AV1611 out.....
AV1611 out.....
8/10/2010 12:21:44 PM
Originally Posted By AV1611:
I had two clinicals at University of Wisconsin Hospital - Madison. I didn't like it at all. The nurses were way too uptight and unfriendly. It's a research and teaching hospital. I'd probably enjoy the "friendlier" hospital feel whether they had the best equipment and buildings or not.
AV1611 out.....
I had two clinicals at University of Wisconsin Hospital - Madison. I didn't like it at all. The nurses were way too uptight and unfriendly. It's a research and teaching hospital. I'd probably enjoy the "friendlier" hospital feel whether they had the best equipment and buildings or not.
AV1611 out.....
That can vary quite a bit within the hospitals themselves dependant upon department. My wife has worked in 3 areas(Sanford) and had different experiences with staff in each. She is pretty outgoing so she gets along with everybody but I know she has said certain clinics/departments dont come off as very nice.
Sanford didnt do any pay cuts during the big bump either which was nice and in the minority. They even gave raises which wasnt much(1-3%) but anything was better than nothing.
I dont know what wages run in Wisconsin but I know SD medical professions are quite a bit below pay grade compared to MN(although we dont have state income tax) just something to think about before getting sticker shock during a interview
8/10/2010 2:53:28 PM
U.W. Hospital is a union facility. It starts new RN's at $27 and change + weekend and shift differential. Smaller area hospitals are probably more like $23-24. Cost of housing in Madison is MUCH more expensive than in Sioux Falls. $150,000 can get you a pretty nice newer 3 bedroom 2 car garage home. Here that amount will get you into a nicer 1/2 duplex with 2-3 beds and 1 car garage. Property taxes on $150k worth of duplex would be about $3000 a year here.
AV1611 out.....
AV1611 out.....
Originally Posted By stretch415:
That can vary quite a bit within the hospitals themselves dependant upon department. My wife has worked in 3 areas(Sanford) and had different experiences with staff in each. She is pretty outgoing so she gets along with everybody but I know she has said certain clinics/departments dont come off as very nice.
Sanford didnt do any pay cuts during the big bump either which was nice and in the minority. They even gave raises which wasnt much(1-3%) but anything was better than nothing.
I dont know what wages run in Wisconsin but I know SD medical professions are quite a bit below pay grade compared to MN(although we dont have state income tax) just something to think about before getting sticker shock during a interview
Originally Posted By AV1611:
I had two clinicals at University of Wisconsin Hospital - Madison. I didn't like it at all. The nurses were way too uptight and unfriendly. It's a research and teaching hospital. I'd probably enjoy the "friendlier" hospital feel whether they had the best equipment and buildings or not.
AV1611 out.....
I had two clinicals at University of Wisconsin Hospital - Madison. I didn't like it at all. The nurses were way too uptight and unfriendly. It's a research and teaching hospital. I'd probably enjoy the "friendlier" hospital feel whether they had the best equipment and buildings or not.
AV1611 out.....
That can vary quite a bit within the hospitals themselves dependant upon department. My wife has worked in 3 areas(Sanford) and had different experiences with staff in each. She is pretty outgoing so she gets along with everybody but I know she has said certain clinics/departments dont come off as very nice.
Sanford didnt do any pay cuts during the big bump either which was nice and in the minority. They even gave raises which wasnt much(1-3%) but anything was better than nothing.
I dont know what wages run in Wisconsin but I know SD medical professions are quite a bit below pay grade compared to MN(although we dont have state income tax) just something to think about before getting sticker shock during a interview
8/10/2010 5:12:02 PM
My wife has been at Sanford for about 11 years, all on Peds. She loves it, they've taken great care of her, and I've no doubt she'll be a lifer.
