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Here Are The 7 Best Cities In South Dakota To Retire In

South Dakota offers several ideal small towns for retirees, each with unique attractions and affordable living.

Updated Oct 26, 2023

Written by 

Annie

It might surprise you, but South Dakota is often listed as a great place to retire. If you have spent much time in this overlooked state it may not be all that surprising, however. Why is SD such a nice place to grow old in? Let's dig in to discover the best places to retire in South Dakota, and why you might want to move there. Listed below are seven of the best places to live in South Dakota for retirees.

1. Winner

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Ammodramus via Wikimedia Commons

When it comes to retirement, Winner is a true winner! Home to just under 3,000 people, Winner is a picturesque small town that is not only safe, but also offers a number of special events, a charming downtown area, and lots of friendly neighbors who will always welcome you with open arms.

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If you are moving to South Dakota, get to know some of the local businesses in the lovely town of Winner in this video from The Winner Area Chamber of Commerce:

2. Brandon

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City of Brandon South Dakota - Municipal Government / Facebook

If you crave more of a big-city feel without actually living in the big city, you are going to love Brandon. While this Sioux Falls suburb is highly regarded for its school system, it is also the perfect place to retire, thanks to its affordable home prices and close proximity to Sioux Falls.

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3. Lead

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Gary Chancey via Wikimedia Commons

If you love history but would prefer to avoid the "bigger" tourist towns, Lead is the perfect place for you. Home to just over 3,050 people, Lead is just a hop, a skip, and a jump away from ample museums, historic downtown areas, and popular national landmarks.

4. Hot Springs

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devriesm via Wikimedia Commons

Nicknamed the "Southern Gateway of the Black Hills," Hot Springs is quite possibly the most gorgeous small town in South Dakota thanks to its surrounding scenery and beautiful landscape. (Need we even mention that the cost of living in Hot Springs is significantly less than the national average?)

One of the biggest draws to Hot Springs, SD are the wonderful waterfalls you'll find in the southern parts of the Black Hills - take a look in this video from RVerTV:

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5. Pierre

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Roderick Eime / Flickr

While capital cities are typically big and overwhelming, Pierre is the exact opposite, making it the perfect spot to retire. Not only does Pierre boast a small population (in terms of capital cities), but it is also home to lots of things to do like shopping, museums, and volunteer opportunities.

6. Yankton

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J. Stephen Conn / Flickr

"What a discovery" you will find in Yankton, which boasts unique dining, recreation opportunities, parks, churches, and everything else you could possibly want in a hometown.

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7. Vermillion

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Magicpiano via Wikimedia Commons

Last, but certainly not least, is Vermillion, which is famous for being the home of the University of South Dakota. However, it offers so much more. So, what can you expect to find in Vermillion? Try low cost of living, friendly neighbors, a vibrant community, and... need I really go on?

If you are looking for towns to retire in South Dakota, consider Vermillion. Take a drive through this charming town in this video from Decelerated Travel:

What do you think ... is South Dakota a good place to retire? Where do you think are the best places to retire in South Dakota? Share some of your favorite towns with a comment.

Are you craving even more small-town goodness? If so, check out these nine slow-paced small towns in South Dakota where life is still simple. One of the best ways to explore the state is by renting an RV from RVShare and going on a road trip.

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You Might Be Surprised to Hear the Predictions About South Dakota’s Mild and Dry Upcoming Winter

What are the Farmers' Almanac winter predictions for South Dakota? You might be surprised to learn it might just be... normal.

Updated Oct 1, 2024

Written by 

Tori Jane

Each and every year, the ole Farmers' Almanac makes predictions - sometimes with fascinating accuracy, others not so much - for seasons and what to expect. Winter is, obviously (and maybe especially) no exception. You might be surprised about the winter predictions for South Dakota this year, though - surprised in the sense that, after last year being a bit unusual, with many areas seeing record snowfall, everything looks on track to be, for the most part, relatively uneventful. This can be great news if you're not a huge fan of lots of snowfall, or maybe groanworthy if you're not - but either way, it's kind of a relief if you ask me.

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Let's be real: Winter in South Dakota can be downright brutal... but we're tough, and we can handle it.

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Jenni Conrad/Flickr

According to the Farmers' Almanac, this coming winter in South Dakota (2024-2025, to be exact) is on track to be, well, mostly average: cold and snowy, but not overly so, like the 2022-2023 season was.

So what exactly counts as "normal" in terms of a South Dakota winter?

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katie wheeler/Flickr

Well, like I said - it's definitely cold, with many winter days never reaching above freezing (especially in January).

The Farmers Almanac 2024 predicts there will likely be a few winter storm events, maybe even a blizzard - but we've pretty much come to expect that. Overall, the winter weather predictions in South Dakota appear to be pretty lackluster! Looks like we are in for a mild and dry winter.

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Christine Warner/Flickr

Plus, it's not like our state becomes some white dead zone at this time of year. There are plenty of fun things to do in the winter in South Dakota.

Driving probably isn't one of them, but hey, be careful and head outdoors anyway.

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Jenni Conrad/Flickr

You can always take a short trip to the snowiest town in South Dakota, which is a great little getaway.

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South Dakota is an awesome place for some excellent winter hikes, as well. If you plan on embarking on a wintry adventure, make sure you've got an AllTrails + account to help you navigate the snowy paths.

If you prefer to spend your winter in South Dakota cuddled up by the fire, you can’t go wrong with a weekend away at Hisega Lodge. Tucked away in the Black Hills, this is one of our favorite places to go during winter. 

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Jenni Conrad/Flickr

I mean, I personally wouldn't get down in the snow like that, but you do you. I get it. I'm not here to judge. But I digress: Visit any of the amazing South Dakota state parks that are open year-round, and if you're feeling adventurous, you might even want to check out some of the campgrounds in South Dakota that are open year-round, too.

No matter what you choose to do, there's something incredibly magical about winter in South Dakota... and the Farmers Almanac says it ought to be an average one.

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Jerry/Flickr

....which, to us, is pretty good news.

Even though the winter weather predictions in South Dakota are predicted to be mild and dry, don't go putting away your shovel just yet. The Farmer's Almanac has an 80% success rate with these seasonal predictions, but there's always the chance a big snowstorm could take us by surprise.

You know, at least it's very unlikely that this winter in South Dakota will be anything like the coldest winter in South Dakota history, so we got that going for us, which is nice. And if you need something warm to wear in the cold, you might want to check out the offerings from our friends at LL Bean.

What are your favorite things to do in South Dakota during the winter? Let me know in the comments.

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There’s A Poisonous Plant Growing In South Dakota Yards That Looks Like A Harmless Weed

Canada thistle is a highly invasive and poisonous weed in South Dakota that is difficult to eradicate.

Published Aug 3, 2023

Written by 

Tori Jane

If there's anything in this life that's constant, it's death, taxes, and weeds (what, isn't that how the phrase goes?). In South Dakota's case, there are plenty of (if not all too many) weeds that call it home, but unfortunately, not all of them are benign; there are a number of noxious weed species that thrive here, whether they belong or not - and some of them are almost beautiful. Take, for example, the beautiful-but-deadly Canada thistle (also known as the Creeping thistle or Cirsium arvense): It might look kind of nice, but don't be fooled. This is one of the more poisonous plants in South Dakota, and it can do a tremendous number on you.

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Meet the Canada thistle, which is a funny name because it is in no way native to Canada.

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hedera.baltica/Flickr

It originated - and honestly should have stayed - in southeastern Europe and parts of Asia. Unfortunately, it was likely brought to the Americas via contaminated crop seed in the 1700s, and now it's an issue we have to contend with.

When I say it's a complicated foe that's difficult to effectively rid oneself of, you might think it's hyperbole - but no, seriously, it's THAT difficult to deal with.

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Laura Nawrocik/Flickr

For example, don't bother trying to pull the plant out of the ground. This will just split its root system, and two new plants will spring up in its place. It's like a zombie apocalypse, but with really annoying little purple flowers.

You've probably seen this weed so many times that you don't even really notice it anymore.

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Odd Wellies/Flickr

It's an incredibly invasive species, often overtaking and killing off native plants and choking out large swaths of natural flora, altering the overall biology of the landscape permanently over time.

It's not just incredibly tough to get rid of; you also MUST get rid of it, because it's incredibly poisonous.

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Elke Mader/Flickr

Humans, livestock, pets, and wildlife are all at risk. Symptoms of thistle poisoning include severe nausea and vomiting, as well as diarrhea. Then come the seizures.

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Following that, without medical intervention, things only get worse.

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Christopher Ramirez/Flickr

Soon, organs begin failing. Kidney failure usually comes first, and in many cases, the patient dies a very unpleasant, painful death.

So, how DO you get rid of it?

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Jean Mottershead/Flickr

Honestly, your best bet is via a selective postemergent broadleaf herbicide, Glyphosate works well, too. Managing the weed organically is very challenging (and can often result in simply propagating the weed even further), but with careful precision and lots of patience, it can be done. (Just be sure to wear gloves when you're working with it!)

Check out the official North Dakota State University publication on how to get rid of Canada thistle effectively and organically. Have you ever seen these bright purple little flowers? I'm sure you have - now you know to stay away.

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