Move to Spearfish, SD? (Rapid City, Vermillion: real estate, rentals, hotels) - South Dakota - City-Data Forum

PawelB1980 · 08-12-2017, 12:37 PM

Hi,
My wife and I planned to move to Cheyenne, Wyoming.But after we did some research we started to think about Spearfish, South Dakota. We have 7 yrs old girl and we are in love with the nature. We are Polish/American. We are traditional family who wants to live in a quiet, close to the nature place. Now we live in Chicago area. I am a bartender with 12 years of experience and my wife is a chef/kitchen manager. We don't have college education degree but we both are hard working people.
I have only one question : what is living in Wyoming like? Especially for people like our family. I am very active person: running, sky running, cycling, climbing, kayaking. My wife is super active in the kitchen

She is a great chef and cooking, gardening is her hobby.We are very willing to change our professions if it's necessary and learn new things. We are just tired of big city life and we want to change it to something quiet, hard working family friendly place. It seems like Spearfish is an ultimate place for us but we will be so thankful and filled with gratitude for your honest answers.

Pawel and my family.

601halfdozen0theother · 08-12-2017, 04:02 PM

Hi Pawel -

I saw your post about looking to move to Spearfish. Spearfish is a really beautiful small town, with lots of outdoor things to do. I think it would be a great place to live! It can be hard to find housing there, though - when I looked there it seemed as though there wasn't anything nice to buy or rent - but only because more people want to live there than the town can currently provide housing. You should still look there, though.

But I thought you might be interested in the town of Vermillion, because our best restaurant is looking for a new professional chef. Here's their on-line ad: https://www.facebook.com/REDsteakhouse/ The previous chef is very well loved here, but is moving for family reasons.

Vermillion is a great small town, because it is where the University of South Dakota is located. It is located on the Missouri and Vermillion rivers, and people kayak and motor boat and fish and hike around the rivers. It is also a great place for biking - we have some competitive bikers and races here. It is a wonderful place to raise children - schools are good, there's a brand new public swimming pool, and this is the kind of town where kids and families are all out walking and biking together. It is very safe here, and VERY affordable.

Vermillion isn't in as beautiful a location as Spearfish, but I think you should take a look at us and see if you might be interested!

SD4020 · 08-12-2017, 05:58 PM

Spearfish is an expensive town to live in. Bar tending and food service jobs are easy to come by in Deadwood. However, Deadwood isn't doing to hot these days.

Vermillion is worth a look. It will be a lot cheaper to live there than Spearfish.

uncleharley · 08-12-2017, 06:04 PM

Gardening would also be easier in Vermillion than in Spearfish. The climates are quite different between the two places also. Since you are currently in or near Chicago, the humidity in Vermillion will probably not bother you, but many people find the drier climate of the Black Hills more desirable.

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PawelB1980 · 08-13-2017, 07:31 AM

Thank you all for your answers. They were very helpful. But we are in love with spearfish and the area. I am waiting impatiently for further posts with interesting reviews about Spearfish as well as advice for our small family moving to this beautiful town.
Pawel.

SD4020 · 08-13-2017, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PawelB1980

Thank you all for your answers. They were very helpful. But we are in love with spearfish and the area. I am waiting impatiently for further posts with interesting reviews about Spearfish as well as advice for our small family moving to this beautiful town.
Pawel.

I will reiterate. It takes deep pockets to live in Spearfish. Housing is expensive. Pay is low, that's a statewide deal.

Wyoprairie · 08-13-2017, 08:47 PM

If you really think Spearfish is the place, you might want to check these two websites for more
information while you research it out:
bhpioneer.com | Local & Independent Since 1876 (Newspaper for rentals, jobs, etc.)
South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation (SD job service-type in "Lawrence County" and see what is there.)

As SD4020 said, you will most likely find the jobs are in Deadwood. I think Spearfish still has only one full-service hotel with restaurant and bar (Holiday Inn). Also Applebees and various
restaurants/sports bars. But Deadwood has many full service hotels along with lots of casinos which have restaurants/bars and some various other snazzy places. Spearfish (locals just say "Spear") is about 12,000 people, where Cheyenne has 60,000. Spear is close to all kinds of
outdoor recreation, but as mentioned, the real estate is expensive. Rentals seem to be more
reasonable, while houses to buy are pricey, and typical wages aren't equal to the cost. Rental
selection might be more limited when the university (BHSU) is in session.

Some people commute from Sturgis or Belle Fourche (or just "Belle") to Spear or Deadwood because the cost of living is less. This is a seasonal area-most of the business is summer season and not a lot happens in the winter. Some jobs are just for the season, and the others
have less hours when business is slow. Don't know about Chicago, but the weather in the
Black Hills can be exciting. I'm thinking of the year it rained so much the golf course in Spear was flooded, or just a couple years ago, the hail that put dents in cars and badly damaged the roof of the Walmart. (That can happen in Cheyenne as well.) It's a nice area to visit, so you can't go wrong at least making a trip to check it out. As you look around, hope you are able
to find the place you are seeking.

kerathekahlerteam · 08-17-2017, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PawelB1980

Thank you all for your answers. They were very helpful. But we are in love with spearfish and the area. I am waiting impatiently for further posts with interesting reviews about Spearfish as well as advice for our small family moving to this beautiful town.
Pawel.

I am a local single mother with 2 kids that was born and raised in the Lead/Deadwood area and lived in Rapid City for 10 years and I just purchased a home in Spearfish last year. I agree homes are a bit more here per square foot than Belle Fourche or Lead Deadwood but for good reason... ITS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE

but it sounds like you already know that. As far as advice on a small family moving into the area I would have to say, it should be quite welcoming and accommodating for your needs and wants.