Yes, people do actually live here. In fact, South Dakota is probably not very different than the state you reside in now. Sioux Falls is South Dakota’s “big city” which means it has all the nightclubs, restaurants, paved roadways and indoor plumbing that you’re already accustomed to.

The cost of living is lower - and that’s good news for us renters, so let’s start looking.

Most property management companies will require a credit check. A handful will also bother with a criminal background check. Both privately and corporate-managed properties will ask for first plus last month’s rent and pet deposits, but this is South Dakota - all combined, the dough you’ll have to shell out is probably a truckload less than you’re paying now, so relax. You’ll find a place, and in no time folks will assume you’ve lived here your entire life.

Perhaps shockingly to outsiders, Sioux Falls boasts a vibrant downtown complete with sidewalk cafes, live music and great food. Downtown is as urban as SoDak gets. Hey, they’ve even got one of those newfangled “loft”-type buildings!

Slightly older than the rest of the city, the northern neighborhoods are a value bonanza. You can pay around $500 a month for rent.

Compulsive shoppers will be happy to situate themselves near the Empire Mall and the retailers nestled along 41st St. Traffic in this area gets somewhat congested, but that’s South Dakota “congested,” not Los Angeles “congested.” Look for fun amenities, such as “community computer rooms” and “heated garages.”

Ooh la la, South Sioux Falls! Most of the housing is in this area is brand spankin’ new.

The suburbs of tea, Brandon and Harrisburg are about 1 or 2 miles from the Sioux Falls city limits. Way out here, the options are single-family homes and small complexes.

There you have it - one small, sweet package, kinda like Sioux Falls itself. So slap a smile on your face, hit the bricks and begin the search for your new apartment in this fairy tale of a town.