Why a California Native Traded San Diego for the Black Hills of South Dakota

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Reese Niu left her busy city life in San Diego in search of something different: A more relaxed quality of life. An outstanding place to raise her children. A more affordable cost of living. And a welcoming, friendly community. 

Rapid City, she says, offered all four, and her decision to move here six years ago has been one of the best of her life. 

“The pace of life here is so much easier,” Niu says. “In the city, everything felt like a constant hustle. Here, life just feels more intentional. I have time to actually enjoy my days instead of rushing through them.” 

Trading Coast for Conifers 

For Niu, as for many Rapid City residents, finding a place where her family could flourish played a major part in her and her husband’s decision to call this city home. Good schools and a wide variety of family-friendly activities and events were paramount. And while they wanted the chill atmosphere of a small city, Rapid City also offered big-city amenities such as social and recreational opportunities, good places to eat and shop, attractive neighborhoods, and community events to enjoy. 

“I wanted to give my daughters a happy, healthy life in a place where I knew we could thrive. The workforce opportunities were strong, the cost of living was incredibly appealing, and I was craving a slower lifestyle where everything wasn’t about the hustle and bustle,” Niu says. 

“It helped that the Black Hills are absolutely beautiful. As a girl who grew up on the beach, if you had told me I’d move somewhere landlocked and love it, I wouldn’t have believed you.” 

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While the region may lack surfing beaches, Rapid City does offer the majesty of the Black Hills, a vibrant downtown where you’ll find ethnic restaurants, inviting art galleries, quaint bookshops, chic boutiques, as well as a fun-filled year-round calendar of events. A notable arts scene includes a symphony orchestra, several museums, community theaters and much more to explore. 

Niu and her family particularly enjoy being outdoors, camping, hiking and fishing, a hobby she picked up after moving here. 

“Whether we’re fishing locally at Canyon Lake, catching catfish on the Belle Fourche River, or exploring all the trout and bass lakes throughout the Black Hills, there’s always somewhere new to try,” Niu says. “We also love attending local sporting events, checking out the markets and fairs, and just exploring the area. There’s always something fun and family-friendly going on.” 

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A Welcoming Community 

Connecting to the community has been easy, Niu says. Her daughters, now both in middle school, are actively involved in sports and school activities, which has created countless opportunities to meet other families. 

And since her husband is in the Air Force, she especially appreciates the “incredibly welcoming and supportive” attitude of the community toward her husband’s service. 

For Niu, the move to Rapid City meant a change in career, but the ease of finding meaningful work was a pleasant surprise. 

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“There were so many opportunities, and I landed a position with great pay and good benefits pretty quickly,” Niu, now vice president of vocational services for Black Hills Works, says. “I’ve been able to really excel in my career here in Rapid City.” 

She calls her daily commute, “a game changer. In city traffic, I was spending two hours a day just sitting in a car. Now all that time I used to waste commuting, I spend roaming the Black Hills and being with my family. Getting around town is a breeze.” 

Visit Rapid City/Sam Dean

Considering a move from big city bustle to easy-living Rapid City? Niu is certainly glad she did. 

“When we’re out enjoying a lake day as the sunset rolls in, hearing my kids’ laughter with the Black Hills in the backdrop, I know we made the best decision. I couldn’t imagine raising my family anywhere else.”