Key Takeaways
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If you’re a retiree with an RV, consider checking out Rapid City, South Dakota. It has a balanced combination of outdoor recreation, arts, restaurants, and medical facilities.
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Located in southwestern South Dakota, Rapid City is near major destinations like Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park.
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With about 80,000 people, Rapid City’s home values are slightly below the national average.
Are you considering living the recreational vehicle (RV) life? No wonder—RVs appeal to many retirees seeking a close connection to nature while balancing freedom and flexibility alongside a lower cost of living.
If you’re thinking about packing up and living out of an RV, you’ll want a home base with some special benefits: easy parking, well-maintained and wide roads, and proximity to scenic drives.
According to the RV classifieds platform RV Trader, one of the top destinations for retirees looking for adventure is Rapid City, South Dakota.
A Solid Option for RV Enthusiasts
Located in southwestern South Dakota, Rapid City caters to outdoor enthusiasts, with excellent biking, hiking, fishing, golf, and other activities within easy reach. The city also offers great dining options and a bustling arts scene, with a Fine Arts Theatre, Art Walk, and Performing Arts Center.
RV drivers know that important logistical details can make or break the experience of traveling the road. Fortunately, Rapid City is welcoming to RVers. Parking options are plentiful and include the Rushmore Shadows Resort (standard reservation around $74 per night) and the Rapid City RV Park (monthly rates from $950). Due to demand and seasonal closures, it’s best to book your stay several months in advance if possible.
Rapid City is in a great location: it’s just half an hour from Mount Rushmore and an hour from Badlands National Park. Besides these well-known destinations, Rapid City also makes a great jumping-off point for exploring a host of other sights as well.
A Potential Retirement Destination
While Rapid City makes it perfectly feasible for travel enthusiasts to live out of an RV in the area, some retirees may also want to consider settling down more permanently.
The cost of living in Rapid City is low compared to many cities across the United States. A living wage for two adults with a single income is just under $30 per hour, or about $62,000 per year before taxes. Your costs may vary, of course, depending on your preferences and your health.
Note
The average value of a Rapid City home is just over $354,479, slightly below the national average of around $360,727. Home buyers may be at an advantage, as more than 70% of homes sell for less than their listed price.
From Black Hills Surgical Hospital to the Monument Health Hospital system and more, you’ll have access to an array of healthcare facilities. The state of South Dakota has nearly 70 hospital facilities.
What’s more, South Dakota is fairly tax-friendly for retirees. There’s no income tax, so all forms of retirement income—withdrawals from retirement savings accounts, pensions, and Social Security benefits—aren’t taxed. In addition, its sales tax rate is relatively low at 4.2%. And with no estate tax, South Dakota may also appeal to those considering the tax implications of leaving a legacy for their family.
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