Rapid Valley is an unincorporated suburb of Rapid City, South Dakota, known by many names including the "Gateway to the Black Hills" and the "City of Presidents" due to its proximity to both the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Mount Rushmore National Monument. It is a small town with both historic roots and natural beauty, providing something for everyone who lives there.
Rapid Valley is situated in the southwestern corner of South Dakota with a homey-sized population of about 8,260
Rapid Valley is an unincorporated suburb of Rapid City, South Dakota, known by many names including the "Gateway to the Black Hills" and the "City of Presidents" due to its proximity to both the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Mount Rushmore National Monument. It is a small town with both historic roots and natural beauty, providing something for everyone who lives there.
Rapid Valley is situated in the southwestern corner of South Dakota with a homey-sized population of about 8,260. It resides in Pennington County, in the eastern suburbs of Rapid City. The original town was known as "Hay Camp" and marketed as a city on the road to the riches found in the Black Hills. It has continued to prosper over the decades, first through tourism and later as a result of nearby Ellsworth Air Force Base. Today, tourism and recreation are the primary draws to the area.
Before moving to any town it is useful to understand the local area and any nuances of the neighborhoods. Being a small suburb of Rapid City, Rapid Valley consequently does not have any specific neighborhoods itself. However, the cost of living in Rapid Valley is slightly lower than elsewhere in South Dakota and lower than other areas in and around Rapid City, though some residents complain that the cost of housing is too high given the median income. Housing prices have been increasing over the past year, which has made home rentals in Rapid Valley a more attractive option.
Because of the increasing home prices and increasing demand, it is useful to start looking for a place to live well before moving to Rapid Valley. The area has vacancy rates below 10%, so it is wise to cast a wide net with your search, and include a variety of rental complexes in your search. Like most cities, a good credit history and proof of income are required for most housing options, and at least one month's rent is typically required as a security deposit for most local apartment complexes.
Rapid Valley has grown more than 40 percent since 2000, but with its still relatively small population it remains difficult to parse out specific neighborhoods. Located in the eastern suburbs of Rapid City, just south of I-90, the majority of its residents live in single family homes or mobile homes. It is a relatively newer neighborhood with most homes being built since 1970. Neighborhood activities include the Watiki Water Park and eating out at the Dakotah Steakhouse or Sliders Bar and Grill, both local restaurants.
There are three apartment complexes local to Rapid Valley, each of various sizes and with different amenities. Mountain View Village Apartments is the largest apartment complex in the neighborhood, including 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom options, built-in appliances, a playground, and a 24-hour exercise room on site. Since it is located on the outskirts of Rapid City, Mountain View Village is located in a residential part of the neighborhood and the majority of residents drive to and from the daily grind.
Two other apartment rental options in Rapid Valley are the Homestead Garden Apartments and the Estes Park Apartments. Homestead Garden is further on the outskirts of Rapid Valley and rental units include free high-speed Internet, free basic cable television, handicap accessible units, and paid utilities. It also has a host of other amenities for recreation, such as a play area and a pool.
The Estes Park Apartments are on the western edge of Rapid Valley and are closest to downtown Rapid City. They have one bedroom and two bedroom apartment rental options for prospective tenants and also offer a host of amenities. These include laundry facilities, garage access, patios for ground floor units, and available satellite television and high-speed Internet hook-ups. Rental houses can also be found throughout Rapid Valley.
Residents of Rapid Valley have a host of activities available to them throughout the year due to the proximity to Rapid City, which boasts a local symphony, chamber orchestra, regional playhouse, community theater, and a vibrant arts community supported by the Rapid City Arts Council. Multiple art galleries are found in the downtown area, and the Dahl Arts Center provides a rotating gallery of various artistic exhibits. All of this is easily accessible from nearby Rapid Valley, including Rapid City's most original art installation, which can be found on street corners all over the downtown area: life-sized bronze statues representing each of the American presidents. All were sculpted and installed by five South Dakota artists.
Of course, given Rapid Valley's proximity to the Black Hills, recreation opportunities abound. From camping to climbing, horseback riding to scenic drives into the forest, Rapid Valley's environs offer something for outdoors enthusiasts and casual weekend drivers alike. With a rich regional history, there are also a number of local historical attractions, including the Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park only a few miles away. There are also two nationally recognized golf courses in nearby Rapid City that draw golf enthusiasts year-round. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally also draws many tourists each year, taking place annually less than half an hour from Rapid Valley. Additionally, while Ellsworth Air Force Base has fewer armed forces stationed there than at its peak, the military installation still remains a large part of local life and is located just across I-90 from Rapid Valley.
Rapid Valley sits just south of Interstate 90, running east-west through South Dakota, and the town is not served by a significant public transportation system. A car is necessary to live in most areas of Rapid Valley, but nearby Rapid City is also served by a regional airport, which provides shuttle flights to most airlines' major hubs.
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