There are so many reasons to move to South Dakota that we could probably fill an entire book or two. However, there are some things to know before moving to South Dakota to make your transition a smoother one. After all, South Dakota isn’t like other states. It’s much better, of course. If you’re new to the Mount Rushmore state, there are a few things that you’ll quickly learn. Here are just 14 of ’em:

1. Your wallet will have more cash in it from now on.
elcyefeliz/flickr
Our cost of living is less than the national average, and we don't have personal income tax or personal property tax. Cha-ching!
2. You'll enjoy plenty of free music.
Sioux Falls Jazz Fest/Facebook
South Dakota is a great place for free music. From the Hills Alive Music Fest to the Sioux Falls Jazz Fest, you'll find plenty of free music festivals.
3. You'll love all the fresh, local produce here.
Black Hills Farmers Market/Facebook
Summertime brings farmers markets galore. Visit a formal market, and watch for small farmers selling corn right from the back of their trucks! Take a peek at one of the most beloved South Dakota farmers markets by reading our previous article.
4. Chislic is about to become your new favorite food.
Ross A./Yelp
This delicacy with the odd name is so delicious that you'll never leave the state. Chislic is simply grilled meat, presented on a skewer. Try some of the best chislic in South Dakota at this hole-in-the-wall restaurant.
5. The Old West tradition is alive and well in Western South Dakota.
Kent Kanouse/flickr
The little town of Deadwood has a rich history of Wild West outlaws, sheriffs and middle-of-the-street shootouts. Now, South Dakotans and tourists alike visit to see this living history. Deadwood might just be one of the best towns to live in South Dakota. (If you're not looking to move, it also ranks as one of South Dakota's best day trips.)
6. South Dakota is better than North Dakota.
William Mitchelle/Memesuper
This should be a no brainer for you, since you chose South Dakota to begin with. But basically, this is an undisputed fact here.
7. Much of South Dakota's population lives in Sioux Falls or Rapid City.
Jean Fuller/flickr
Sioux Falls has a population of about 251,800; Rapid City's population is approximately 73,500.

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8. Which means that we have a whole lot of really charming small towns.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
You'll find some quaint little towns all over the state! Take a peek at some of the most scenic small towns in South Dakota in our previous article.
9. When you want to get from one part of the state to the other, there are just two things you need to know: I-90 and I-29.
Google
Interstate 90 takes you all the way across the state, from Sioux Falls to Spearfish. Interstate 29 travels north/south all the way through the state. No matter where you need to go, you'll start with one of these major freeways.
10. We pronounce our state capital city differently than you'd think.
J. Stephen Conn/flickr
It's not "pee-air," it's "peer." Say it properly and you won't sound like a tourist.
11. Hunting is a big deal here.
Bill Bereza/flickr
Kids skip school and adults call in sick on the opening day of the hunt.
12. Craft beer is a big deal here, too.
CK Golf/flickr
We have tons of great breweries here.
13. We host the largest motorcycle rally in the world here.
haley7/flickr
The population of South Dakota is around 850,000 people. The Sturgis Rally brings about 750,000 people to our state. We both love and dread the crowds that bring money to the state, and make every restaurant and tourist attraction very, very crowded. One of the most important things to know before moving to South Dakota? Sturgis is THE place to be every August.
14. You'll learn to dress in layers here - the temperature fluctuates.
Petko Bossakov/flickr
In fact, the little town of Spearfish set the record for the most rapid temperature change. On January 22, 1943, the temperature changed from -4 degrees to 45 degrees in just two minutes.

What do you think are some reasons to move to South Dakota? Let us know in the comments! Are you new to South Dakota? Maybe you just want to explore a bit more. Take a look at these 17 must visit places in South Dakota to start planning your next South Dakota adventures.

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More to Explore

Reasons To Move To South Dakota

Beth Price-Williams | May 17, 2022

What are the best towns to live in South Dakota?

If you’re looking for the best area to live in South Dakota, look no further than its darling small towns. Some of the best towns in South Dakota are those where everyone knows everyone else and where you might feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Take a peek at Clark, for example. The tiny adorable town boasts a population that hovers around 1,000, perfect if you’re looking for peace and quiet. Give a tip of the hat to Eureka, the wheat capital of the world AND a darling small town that is home to just over 850 residents. Now if you’re looking for the coolest small towns in South Dakota, throw some attention to Belle Fourche. It’s best known as being the geographic center of the United States. Pretty cool, huh? Platte is also a cute town that features a lake and gives off an old-time vibe.

What are some things to know before moving to South Dakota?

Those of us who live here can confidently say that South Dakota is absolutely amazing, but how do we convince others to move here? If you’re not from here, there are a few things to know before moving to South Dakota. History buffs will find it akin to paradise with everything from Mount Rushmore to the homestead of Laura Ingalls Wilder in De Smet. If you’ve never been to South Dakota, you will absolutely fall in love with the landscape. Don’t expect flat land. Nope, this is the home of the Black Hills and breathtaking beauty everywhere you look. You won’t miss the colorful days of fall either when you live in South Dakota. We’ve got some of the very best fall foliage, and worried about losing out on hot and humid summer days? You’ll find ‘em here too, AND you can cool off at one of the state’s many lakes or even in a waterfall swimming hole. There are so many reasons to move to South Dakota, and these are just a scant few.

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