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Things You Should Know Before Moving to Sioux Falls, SD

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The power of Sioux Falls is seamless. As tons of water wash down the South Dakota land, locals love to live in the beautiful backdrop. With so much to offer residents of all ages, the community is constantly evolving into a hub of cultural happenings.

Formed during the Ice Age 14,000 years ago, the province prides itself on its lovely location of waterfalls that compliment the countryside community. Add excellent education, employment and entertainment and Sioux Falls soon becomes a considerable place to live. If you have ever pondered the province, then take a moment to read why so many residents rave about the region.

Sioux Falls Climate

The city's climate is continental with temperatures typically changing from high to low for days and even weeks at a time. The hottest month of the year is July, rising as high as 86 degrees, and the coldest month of the year is January, dropping as low as 4 degrees. In the spring, thunderstorms roll in and often bring tornadoes. The sector sees about 25 inches of rain annually over 98 days of precipitation.

With 211 sunny days a year, Sioux Falls citizens enjoy basking in the warmth. However, once the late fall and early winter arrive, there is an abrupt drop in temperature and strong winds take over. With an average of 38.1 inches of snow a year and occasional blizzard conditions, the community stays busy shoveling and sledding in the snow.

Sioux Falls Neighborhoods

Separate sections of the sector tout school sites while other areas flaunt affluent homes. If you're looking for up-scale living in Sioux Falls, you will want to check out the homes on South Cliff Avenue, Anderson subdivision and Tuscan Club Estates. If you have young children, you may want to consider living close to the many elementary, middle and high school campuses in the community near North Cleveland, Shindler or Kiwanis Avenues. Though neighborhood safety is a priority throughout the entire province, the most protected streets in the city are South Sertoma, South Sundown and Ellis. Of course downtown is a popular neighborhood where visitors and locals enjoy dining, dancing and shopping.

Registering Your Car

Getting a license and registering your car should be one of your first priorities when moving to the province. After filing out appropriate applications and supplying proper paperwork, a new resident can obtain needed permits through the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Some forms of identification acceptable for obtaining a license and registration are a birth certificate, passport, Social Security Card, W-2, utility bill, credit card statement, bank statement, tax document, vehicle title and vehicle identification number.

Whether or not you will have to take a written and driven exam or road and sign test depends on your current driver's license status. If you are licensed in another state, chances are you are exempt from the noted tests; however, if you do not have a valid license, you may have to take all the exams.

Sioux Falls Schools

Serving more than 23,000 students, the Sioux Falls School District is a dedicated and driven system settling for nothing less than student success. Twenty-five elementary, five middle, three alternative high schools and three public high schools make up the diverse district. As for private institutions, almost 3,000 students attend Sioux Falls Catholic Schools, and there is a large Lutheran student population who receive specialized training. As for post-secondary sites, Augustana College, the University of Sioux Falls, Colorado Technical University, the South Dakota School for the Deaf, Great Plains Baptist College and the University of South Dakota's Sanford School of Medicine are some community campuses.

Sioux Falls Employment

With a 3.7 unemployment rate, Sioux Falls has an abundance of work. And with no corporate income tax in the area, it is a sensational sector to work or own a business. Financial companies are presently doing especially well in the vicinity. Though Wells Fargo and Citigroup are the largest employers, Great Western Bank, Western Surety Company, First Premier Bank, Capital One, Total Card Inc., Capital Card Services and Midland National Life Insurance Company are also considerable companies to work for. With four major hospitals in Sioux Falls, regional healthcare also leads the economy with Sanford and Avera Health being the two top employers in the area. Retail also drives the economy, with many working in the industry at the Empire Mall, a regional outlet center with more than 180 stores.

Living Costs in the City

Add excellent costs of living to a highly employable area and what do you get? Sioux Falls. According to Areavibes website, the cost of living in Sioux Falls is 4.2 percent less than the national average and 2.6 percent less than the state average. Add Forbes reports of a $56,280 median family income and a $140,900 median home price, and it is easy to prove the province is pretty affordable. To back this fact up, the famous financial periodical also listed Sioux Falls at the top of the list for Best Small Places for Businesses and Careers.

If you choose to rent rather than purchase property in the province, apartment costs are also low like so much around. A one-bedroom unit begins at $600 a month, and, of course, a larger more luxurious space is priced higher. As for utilities, the cost of service greatly depends on family size and usage.

Sioux Falls Moving Resources

Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Sioux Falls, whether you’re moving from out of state or from another county in South Dakota. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:

Sioux Falls Transportation

With most locals literally taking the driver's seat rather than riding public transportation, Interstates 90, 29 and 229 are popular roadways in the province. For residents who do prefer to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride, the Sioux Area Metro has 16 bus lines in town. The agency's paratransit service also transports disabled and elderly locals who need assistance getting around. There is presently no train service through South Dakota. As for flying, locals take off and land out of Sioux Falls Regional Airport.

Culture & Contemporary Life

With as many as 70 parks and recreational sites in the region, Falls Park, north of downtown, is by far the most popular community-wide hangout. Some other parks locals love to picnic and play sports in are Terrace Park, Sherman Park and Yankton Trail Park. If not having fun in the sun outside, locals can be found shopping in Central Downtown at the Bridges shopping outlet, located at 57th Street and Western Avenue. Of course, music and film are very popular in the province, with locals always attending a concert or theater for entertainment. And no matter what time of year or weather, you will find residents dining in any one of the dozens of eateries in the district.

Sioux Falls Relocation Tips

  • There is no reason to suffer anxiety before and after a move. Take the necessary steps to stay at peace while chaos surrounds you. You can find your chi even while moving.

     

  • No matter where you are coming from or moving to, you are going to have to travel, hence fuel. With that in mind, please consider the importance of gas usage and implement alternate ways of saving fuel.

     

  • Tricky terms and the fine print of the bill of lading can turn a move into a disaster if the contract is not thoroughly read. Make sure to double check both the movers' responsibility and yours.

Staff Writer  Posted by Staff Writer on July 25, 2013

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