Moving to South Dakota?
South Dakota is a picturesque Midwestern state whose scenic beauty and highly varied topography has enthralled one and all. The mountain sculpture by Gutzon Borghum has earned it the nickname, Mount Rushmore State. It is also known by other nicknames such as the Sunshine State, the Coyote State, the Artesian State, and the Blizzard State.
The culture of South Dakota is cosmopolitan, reflecting American Indian, Western, and European influences. A slew of cultural events celebrate the state's diverse ethnic heritage: Czech Days in Tabor; St. Patrick's Day; Days of '76 in Deadwood; and Cinco de Mayo in Sioux Falls.
The state is also the setting for Laura Ingalls Wilder novels such as By the Shores of Silver Lake, Little House on the Prairie, and The Long Winter. Many notable artists like Harvey Dunn and Oscar Howe belong to the state. Oscar Howe was one of the few Native American painters whose works are more abstract-oriented.
If you’re moving to South Dakota, there are a lot of things you’re going to need to know. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.
Things to Know When Moving to South Dakota
South Dakota Climate
South Dakota features a Cold dry winters and hot semi-humid summers comprise the continental climate that is prevalent in the state. During the summer, for certain periods, South Dakota experiences severe hot dry spells. Other climatological aberrations like thunderstorms, hail, blizzards, and ice storms also occur. The eastern part of the state lies in Tornado Alley and nearly 30 tornadoes strike the region every year. South Dakota is divided into eastern and western parts by the Missouri River. The eastern part consists of low hills, lakes formed from glaciers, and fertile farm lands. The western part consists of canyons, the Great Plains, and the Black Hills. The Black Hills are mountain ranges in the southwestern part of the state that rise from 2,000 to 4,000 feet and are sources of rich mineral wealth.
Registering your Car
You have 90 days to title and register your car after you have established residency in the state of South Dakota. You have to submit the required paperwork such as an application for a motor vehicle title and registration, a power of attorney, bill of sale, and insurance papers, along with the required fees, to the County Treasurer's office.
Obtaining an South Dakota Driver's License
You have 90 days to apply for a license after establishing residency in the state. You can exchange a valid out-of-state license for a South Dakota driver's license but you have to take the vision test. If your out-of-state license is expired then you are required to take the knowledge and road tests as well.
Crime Rankings
As of 2011, South Dakota was ranked 4th out of 50 states in violent crime, with a total of less than 10 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in the state.
Industries
The economy of South Dakota is driven by the service sector, agriculture and related industries, and tourism. The service sector is comprised of the retail, finance, and healthcare industries and is the biggest contributor to South Dakota's economy. The state produces a variety of agricultural products: beef cattle, sheep, hogs, chicken, turkey, geese, corn, soybean, wheat, and flax seeds. Industries such as meat packing and ethanol production also contribute significantly to the economy -- South Dakota ranks sixth in ethanol production. Tourism brings in millions of dollars with the state's major tourist attractions and the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Employment Statistics
As of early 2012, the state of South Dakota had an unemployment rate of 4.3 percent, which is substantially lower than the national average of 8.2 percent.
Average Income
The median household income in the state of South Dakota is $46,369, while the average per capita income for the state is $24,110.
Moving and Storage
If you are looking for a moving company or storage facility to help you with anything, you should check to make sure the company is registered with the United States Department of Transportation or with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Real Estate
The average listing price for homes in South Dakota is $224,300, while the median sales price is just over $101,700. The South Dakota Association of Realtors is the official real estate resource for the state of South Dakota.
Major landmarks and attractions
Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Laura Ingalls Wilder, De Smet; Crazy Horse Memorial; Falls Park; World's only Corn Palace; Fort Sisseton Historic State Park; Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park; Black Hills National Forest.
Largest Cities: Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Brookings, Watertown
Schools
South Dakota has 703 public schools, which is the highest number of schools per capita in the nation. The functioning of various public schools is handled by the South Dakota Board of Education. South Dakota has adapted a Common Core State Standards Initiative which is about a shared set of educational standards in English, language arts, and mathematics for grades K-12. The South Dakota Board of Regents controls and manages six public universities, the South Dakota School for Blind and Visually Impaired, and the South Dakota School for the Deaf. Notable among the higher institutions are the University of South Dakota, Black Hills State University, and Dakota State University.
National Parks
Badlands National Park
Jewel Cave National Monument
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Wind Cave National Park
State park System
The 54 state parks and recreation areas in South Dakota are managed by the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks. The state's parks, with its sprawling prairies, back-country mountains, pristine lakes, and lush green woods, offer a range of outdoor activities for one and all. You can indulge in hiking, biking, riding, fishing, sailing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and exploration of frontier forts.
Major Airports
Sioux Falls Regional Airport
City Regional Airport
Pierre Regional Airport
Aberdeen Regional Airport