Things This Nebraska Transplant Is Still Not Used to about SD

2006 was the year I became a South Dakotan. That January my wife and I came up from Nebraska. Before Sioux Falls we lived in Kearney, NE in the south-central part of the state. Before that, I grew up in the southern Nebraska Panhandle.

Nebraska and South Dakota are similar in many ways.

Both have a large agricultural element to their economies.
Both have an Old West legacy.
Both have large urban centers in the east and lots of rural space everywhere else.
Both states feel the same way about Iowa.

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I’m very glad I moved here and really like living in Sioux Falls, but there are some things that as a Nebraska transplant I’m still not used to.

4 Things This Nebraska Transplant Is Still Not Used to About South Dakota

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A surprising town was named the worst place to live in all of South Dakota and the reason behind it is a bit unexpected.

Money Inc. made a list of the 20 worst cities and towns to live in all of South Dakota and no part of the state is left unmarked.

The list focused on a number of key factors, including crime rate, unemployment, low wages, and school funding.

So which city is the "worst" in South Dakota, according to the article? Read on:

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Do You Remember These 10 Crazy Snowstorms In South Dakota?

Here's some news that some South Dakotans prefer not to hear this time of year. Winter is coming. In denial? The dropping temperatures and early snowstorms out west by Deadwood speak for themselves.

Slowly but surely, people of the Sioux Empire are bracing for colder weather and snow-covered roads. Even though snow will soon be gracing the Sioux Empire with its presence, some snow showers will not compare to these ten dreadful snowstorms that hit South Dakota.

Only In Your State highlights these ten snowstorms in South Dakota as a reminder for people to always be aware of the roads during the winter. These South Dakotan winters can be harsh, which is why it is always a good idea to plan ahead and prepare for the worst.

Do you remember any major snowstorms that hit South Dakota?

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No Runzes

If you don’t know; Runza is a Nebraska-based chain of restaurants. They serve all the basics; hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, French fries, onion rings, and their signature menu item: the Runza. It’s a sandwich made with ground beef, cabbage, cheese, and their special spices.

It’s a super good place to eat, and after growing up in Nebraska it still seems weird to not see one (or several) everywhere I go.

Sales Tax on Food

I’ll probably never get used to this. To this day I’m not used to paying sales tax on food at the grocery store. It’s so ingrained in my mind that if bread costs $3.00, I’m going to pay $3.00.

On the other hand, not having to mess around with filing a state tax return in South Dakota has been nice.

Cold Weather

This might be a little Eastern South Dakota specific, but it gets and stays so cold here. Snow I hate but can deal with. But, the cold here is like a four-month practical joke the jet stream is playing on us. Sure it’d drop below zero in Nebraska. For a couple of days at a time. Then it’s right back up to the 30s.

When I see that weather map on TV the tempters in Rapid City stir such deep nostalgia in me. There were several times growing up in the panhandle where we’d have cold, blizzard, then 70 degrees!

I’ve experienced more white Christmases (Thanksgivings, Easters, and Halloweens too) in the last decade than any time before.

Football Indifference

You might say, “Hey Ben, people in the 605 are pretty football-crazy too.” No, not even close.

I bet you could ask the next 10 people you see today who’s the football coach at USD and you wouldn’t break fifty percent positive answers.

In Nebraska even if you have no interest in sports, the actions and antics of the Huskers seep into your consciousness.

It is topic number one on the TV, radio, and newspaper. Mondays after game day were great in high school because you could always count on losing part of the day to football talk.

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