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"Take into consideration that MD is hot, humid and disgusting all summer long. Tons of humidity and a real lack of people who understand the proper use of underarm deodorant..".
This area is just as humid and there are plenty of people fit in this category here in the Sioux Falls area....
I wouldn't recommend to anyone to relocate to South Datoka prior to visiting in the Winter and Summer time for at least several Weeks. Especially coming from an area that is very diversified and with more than 2 major chain grocery stores.
Wow. Mixed responses. Thank you all for replying. I know there is no paradise out there but Baltimore is a horrible place in my opinion. I have lived here most of my life and I hate it. I think everything is a matter of perspective. If you lived here, you would understand.
I have lived on the east coast (Central NY/Conn), so I get what you are saying. The best thing you can do is keep in perspective what you stated: No place is Paradise. But the Black Hills come close. As long as you have a marketable skill set (notice I said "set") - most people here find that they need to be diversified to be marketable - you should find a place. Meaning, you need to know how to do more than one thing, because no matter where you work, you will be expected to do more than one thing. The downfall of a small population is that everyone is expected to do more, and in many cases for less $$$ than you are used to earning. There is no "That's not in my job description" here. Have a good work ethic and attitude, and you will go far. With few exceptions, South Dakotans are hard workers.
Keep a perspective about the taxes and salaries, too. Yes, property taxes are higher - that's to balance out the fact that there is no income tax, the license taxes are lower - you won't pay $500 a year here to license and inspect your vehicle. Housing costs can be lower or higher, depending on what they are in your area. People here gasp at the prospect of paying $250-300K for a starter home. But that is what one cost where I lived in NY. Everything is relative.
Do your research. Come with a willing and friendly additude. Don't expect to have all the same perks as a big city. Be flexible. Be adventurous. You will do just fine here.
The previous post is outstanding and very descriptive of the mentality around here. The Western states have always been known for self reliance. We do what is needed. We don't have a person next to us that does that, we have to be able to do it yourself. I like to call it multi talented. I grew up in South Dakota and when in the service it took the longest time to learn that people didn't operate that way. Instead of getting up in the morning and putting on your shoes, there was a guy pulling one lace, a different guy pulling the other lace, a person deciding how tight to pull, a different guy directing the endeavor, etc... The Western mentality is if you don't do it yourself, its not going to get done. That spills over to the skill set mentioned. In order to make yourself marketable, you'd better be able to do your job, AND, be able to fill in for the person next to you. It was an outstanding post!
The previous post is outstanding and very descriptive of the mentality around here. The Western states have always been known for self reliance. We do what is needed. We don't have a person next to us that does that, we have to be able to do it yourself. I like to call it multi talented. I grew up in South Dakota and when in the service it took the longest time to learn that people didn't operate that way. Instead of getting up in the morning and putting on your shoes, there was a guy pulling one lace, a different guy pulling the other lace, a person deciding how tight to pull, a different guy directing the endeavor, etc... The Western mentality is if you don't do it yourself, its not going to get done. That spills over to the skill set mentioned. In order to make yourself marketable, you'd better be able to do your job, AND, be able to fill in for the person next to you. It was an outstanding post!
The western states have always thought of themselves as being self-reliant, but they consistently rank highest in dependence on the federal government relative to the amount of tax dollars they provide. In other words, they are subsidized by the so called "blue states" they so despise. South Dakota ranks 43rd in the nation for it's dependence on federal handouts according to this list: States Most & Least Dependent on the Federal Government | WalletHub®
South Dakota is part of that whole central swath of the US that has never been able to support itself without massive federal support, particularly from water projects and farm subsidies.
I grew up in a small rural area where all I heard was talk of how independent and self-reliant everyone was when the reality there was no way any of these towns could pay their own way. The hypocrisy gets tiresome.
The western states have always thought of themselves as being self-reliant, but they consistently rank highest in dependence on the federal government relative to the amount of tax dollars they provide. In other words, they are subsidized by the so called "blue states" they so despise. South Dakota ranks 43rd in the nation for it's dependence on federal handouts according to this list: States Most & Least Dependent on the Federal Government | WalletHub®
South Dakota is part of that whole central swath of the US that has never been able to support itself without massive federal support, particularly from water projects and farm subsidies.
I grew up in a small rural area where all I heard was talk of how independent and self-reliant everyone was when the reality there was no way any of these towns could pay their own way. The hypocrisy gets tiresome.
Well lets do a little analysis as to why SD is 43rd in Federal Government moneys received in relation to revenue.
Dig out your map and do a quick once over of our state. SD is blanketed with Indian reservations ALL dependent on federal dollars. Most of the employment there is federal as well. There are more Indians per capita in SD than any other state. Just curious, how many reservations in Delaware or Illinois? You can say "wait a minute, Minnesota has reservations". True, but there's are located on beautiful lakes and forests close to huge populations where it is that they have some of the most profitable casinos in the United States. SD people did not create these reservations located miles from anywhere, the federal government did.
One step further. A large portion of the state is also covered in the Black Hills NATIONAL Forest and the Badlands NATIONAL Park. Once again, federal moneys to maintain. The state does benefit from the tourism to these parks, but they are federal owned and no tax dollars are paid to the state from these properties.
You don't suppose this might skew the percentages on your chart?
Well lets do a little analysis as to why SD is 43rd in Federal Government moneys received in relation to revenue.
Dig out your map and do a quick once over of our state. SD is blanketed with Indian reservations ALL dependent on federal dollars. Most of the employment there is federal as well. There are more Indians per capita in SD than any other state. Just curious, how many reservations in Delaware or Illinois? You can say "wait a minute, Minnesota has reservations". True, but there's are located on beautiful lakes and forests close to huge populations where it is that they have some of the most profitable casinos in the United States. SD people did not create these reservations located miles from anywhere, the federal government did.
One step further. A large portion of the state is also covered in the Black Hills NATIONAL Forest and the Badlands NATIONAL Park. Once again, federal moneys to maintain. The state does benefit from the tourism to these parks, but they are federal owned and no tax dollars are paid to the state from these properties.
You don't suppose this might skew the percentages on your chart?
I'm not saying there is anything wrong with Federal support. And SD would be a great place to live. I'm just trying to make the point that so many "dependent" states are filled with people who go out of their way to claim self sufficiency and bash states who are funding all this. Rand Paul, from Kentucky, is always talking about getting the government off people's back, and I'll take him seriously when he starts with his home state. It's pure hypocrisy.
One of the previous posters in this thread talked of being a small business owner with clients from the east and what jack asses they were. What an unkind attitude to have toward fellow Americans; customers at that. It makes one wonder who the real jackass is here.
uh makes a good point. People being independent t and their Government being independent for them, is completely different. Should we judge you by what you do? Or should w judge you by the politicians that control the area you live in? Apples and oranges, no comparison. I refer back to what I said about the people being independent ad taking care of their own business.
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As long as you have a marketable skill set (notice I said "set") - most people here find that they need to be diversified to be marketable - you should find a place. Meaning, you need to know how to do more than one thing, because no matter where you work, you will be expected to do more than one thing. The downfall of a small population is that everyone is expected to do more, and in many cases for less $$$ than you are used to earning. There is no "That's not in my job description" here. Have a good work ethic and attitude, and you will go far. With few exceptions, South Dakotans are hard workers. 
