What's Good, Black Hills?

Me: I Got You, Fam.

You’ve visited from Minneapolis or Chicago or Phoenix and you’ve fallen in love with our folksy ways and the limitless possibilities for adventure in the Black Hills. You have your job and housing lined up, but you still don’t know all that much about Rapid City.

I grew up in the Lead-Deadwood area, but I also spent 19 years living in Los Angeles and 2 years in Denver before I relocated to Rapid City. Here’s what I’ve learned. 

Rapid City is Business-Friendly

If you have a novel idea for a startup or want to open a business that you think Rapid City needs, there are a lot of resources to help you on your way. The city is eager for new companies to set up shop here. Elevate Rapid City, an economic development organization, is a good place to start.

Some examples of Rapid City tech startups are ReSpec, Property Meld, GenPro Energy Solutions and Wildfire Labs.

Traffic is Basically Nonexistent

People like to complain that the traffic is bad in Rapid City, which, okay fine, maybe it is compared to ten years ago. But if you’ve lived and commuted in a large city, you will find getting anywhere a breeze, unless you are put out by all of the road construction that happens every summer. Otherwise, you can join me in having a chuckle about all the people upset about “heavy traffic.” What can I say? IYKYK.

We Do Have DoorDash and Lyft Here, But…

I rely exclusively on DoorDash because I find that, in Rapid City at least, it is the most reliable of the food delivery apps. Uber Eats is available, though there seems to be less market penetration. Same with GrubHub. Unfortunately, a lot of local restaurants choose not to deliver via apps. The strange thing is that some businesses disappear off of the apps for long periods and then reappear. Or, they are not available on the apps during certain open hours, presumably their busiest periods. 

Grocery pick up and delivery is also available from the larger chain grocery stores.

As for Lyft and Uber, you can get rides around town and to and from the airport and even to other towns. But I would not rely on a ride-sharing service to get you back. It’s essential to own a vehicle here. It doesn’t have to be a 4×4 SUV, but it should preferably be front-wheel drive with all-weather tires. There are some online car-sharing services starting to pop up, so you might consider a daily rental if you have to get around without your own vehicle.

Finding a Pediatrician or an OBGYN Can Be a Challenge

Rapid City’s medical services are always expanding, but there are gaps in certain areas that have yet to be filled. Speaking personally, my children go to an adult primary care physician simply because our insurance + available pediatricians = zero.

I’m a man, so I can’t speak very deeply to the gyno issue, but I know that the struggle (to find one) is real.

No Need to Worry About Craft Beer or Coffee Shops. 

Rapid City’s got it covered. 

Expect Unusual Behavior around Bills

This is a strange one. Margins are slim here, at least some organizations like to make you think they are. Rapid City is the first and only place I’ve ever been charged interest on a (minor) medical debt. It’s also the only place I’ve lived where a normal, monthly utility bill arrives in the mail nearly already past due. It feels scammy. Don’t let bills sit, if that is your custom. Even for a week. Pay them ASAP or you will quickly tire of being treated like a deadbeat by overly officious and punitive billing departments.

A lot of independent businesses also prefer cash such that they include a service charge for using a card. These charges are often in the 4-5% range.  

Rapid City is Safe

Quick question: in your current life, do you find yourself frequenting the company of n’er-do-wells with whom you have in common an endless appetite for the acquisition and ingesting/injecting of illicit, extra-legal substances? Or, to be blunt: do you drink and do drugs with criminals? If yes, then Rapid City is not safe. For you. There are stabbings. There are shootings. Police have been murdered in broad daylight. But for all this, the habit of avoiding trouble out of sheer self-preservation is your best protection against harm. That and never getting on a motorcycle.

Property damage, though, is more of a concern. However, if you observe common, self-aware, city safeguards, such as taking valuables out of your vehicle at night, locking your doors and staying out of parts of town where you don’t belong, you (and your stuff) will be fine.

Hopefully this addresses some of your most pressing concerns about moving to Rapid City from a large city. If so, then…

Go Forth! But Tread Lightly.

Looking for more helpful tips about living in and traveling around the Black Hills? More to come. Check back often!

---