Despite the small size of Sturgis, one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the world takes place each year here during the first full weekend in August. Bikers from all over the world show up to take part in this event!
Have you ever felt like you should have been born in the Wild West? Well here is your chance to have the best of modern life in a setting fit for a Western! The town of Sturgis is a small town of just over 6600 people and it's a true throwback to the frontier days of this state
Despite the small size of Sturgis, one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the world takes place each year here during the first full weekend in August. Bikers from all over the world show up to take part in this event!
Have you ever felt like you should have been born in the Wild West? Well here is your chance to have the best of modern life in a setting fit for a Western! The town of Sturgis is a small town of just over 6600 people and it's a true throwback to the frontier days of this state. The people are friendly and the town is really quite charming with it's old fashioned building fronts and quaint names. This is, above all, a fun place to live. So grab yourself a Stetson, a pair of spurs and saddle up!
The best advice you can get on moving to Sturgis is to try and avoid moving during winter. South Dakota is somewhat famous for its snowy winters and though the worst of the cold seems to miss this area of the state, the snow doesn't. Snow here is more commonly measured in feet rather than inches. For snow lovers, this is a paradise. But even snow lovers don't want to try moving a large plasma TV through 4 feet of snow! Summers are often very warm during the day but the nights tend to cool down nicely. This makes for great swimming weather with nights cool enough for a jacket. The best time to move here is September. It's warm enough to be pleasant and it rarely snows in September. Renting a place here is simple enough. Except for small apartment complexes, credit checks are almost never a priority. Hand over the trifecta of first and last month's rent along with a security deposit and you are good to go. A few people might ask for a pet deposit but that is unusual. Utility companies on the other hand will be wanting their deposits.
In most small communities like Sturgis, neighborhoods are not clearly defined but are generally more along the lines of being real estate designations or where other areas were annexed into the city. Here there is something of a unique situation in that the designations are more geological and set due to terrain than anything else. In the north you have more flat prairie land and in the south it's more wooded land. This gives you a great number of choices when choosing places to live in Sturgis, SD and the best news is that all of the views are outstanding! North: This is largely prairie and the beginnings of more desert terrain. There are great views here and you will mostly find 3 bedroom houses for rent. You can also expect a good sized yard so take that into consideration when planning. There isn't much in the way of amenities in this area that you could walk to so keep that in mind as well. This is primarily a rural area and you shouldn't be surprised when your nearest neighbor has 4 legs and moos! Town Center: If you are looking for 2 bedroom apartments to rent, or any apartments to rent for that matter, this is the best place to start looking. You are close to most of the towns amenities here and while you will find a few apartments for rent don't limit yourself to apartments. There are many 3 bedrooms homes for rent here too. A couple of hot spots in this are include One-Eyed Jack's Saloon and The Knuckle Saloon. This town plays up it's frontier heritage; go with it! South: This is primarily wooded areas with houses dotted here and there. Much of this area has not be developed and remains much as it was 100 years ago. Give it a chance and you will find great views, friendly neighbors and a great place to call home. Expect mostly 3-4 bedroom single family homes in this area. You can also expect to need a car, or at least a horse, to get into town for a visit to one of the many saloons.
There are three words you need to know when moving here: Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Whether you ride or not, you need to grasp the magnitude of this event. This town has a shade over 6,600 people living here. The rally frequently draws crowds of 600,000 or more. Not only is this a huge industry it's also the largest festival of the year. There is more to this than just motorcycle riding. There are local concerts, rides, vendors and a full on fair feeling to the event. Much of the local economy relies on this yearly event for the tourist money it brings. Hotels fill up, campgrounds, etc. basically anyplace you can stash a warm body. You can expect the sound of humming engines to last about a week. Don't worry if cycling isn't your thing, though. It's about much more than black leather and poppin' wheelies. This is a great time for a new resident to shoulder up with some of the locals and make some new friends -- hint hint.
Beyond the motorcycle rally, there is a lot to do in this area. Hunting, fishing and hiking are extremely popular and there are a number of hiking clubs that can help you learn the best trails. One of the best fishing and hiking spots is at Bear Butte Lake. Here you will find great hiking trails for the hiker and for the angler there is crappie, bass and yellow perch! History is a big draw here as well and it's hard not to get into it with the frontier atmosphere that envelopes the town. The local historical society has all of the nitty gritty of local history and it spares no punches on the sordid past of the town. If you tire of that and want a fun filled festival you might want to try Sturgis BAM a Bike, Art and Music Festival held each July in the Sturgis Park. This day long festival features local artists, musicians and a bicycle rally!
