Thinking of moving to SD; Aberdeen or Watertown? (Sioux Falls: fit in, rent)

[Octopuseater]

I have a govt job and can transfer to either Aberdeen or Watertown. Which of these areas have a lower crime rate? I’m a pretty simple guy. Idc for the big city and hate traffic. As long as there’s a grocery store, some tech store like Best Buy, nearby medical care, and shooting ranges, I’m good. I’m also an Asian male. Would I face any racial problems at either areas?

Lastly, I have a cat that I want to bring over. Is there any process for bringing over a cat? Would ppl stop me after I get off the plane to check to see if I have proper documentations for my cat?

Thanks!

[601halfdozen0theother]

I doubt if either place has much crime. Aberdeen is a little bigger so thus probably has more.

Watertown is red, red, red, trumpy red, red, red. Aberdeen is also red but more diverse. I don't know anyone with anything good to say about Watertown; it has a reputation of being pretty insular.

The airlines will have info about their requirements about onboard pets on their websites. No one at the Sioux Falls airport will stop you about your cat if you have it in the proper type of carrier and have already taken it in the plane with you.

Pick Aberdeen. It's a pretty nice town, IMHO.

[drinkthekoolaid]

Are they still hiring.....?

Asking for a friend

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by Octopuseater

I have a govt job and can transfer to either Aberdeen or Watertown. Which of these areas have a lower crime rate? I’m a pretty simple guy. Idc for the big city and hate traffic. As long as there’s a grocery store, some tech store like Best Buy, nearby medical care, and shooting ranges, I’m good. I’m also an Asian male. Would I face any racial problems at either areas?

Lastly, I have a cat that I want to bring over. Is there any process for bringing over a cat? Would ppl stop me after I get off the plane to check to see if I have proper documentations for my cat?

Thanks!

Neither town has any real crime rate. As an Asian male you would fit in fine in either city. Both towns are "red" as another poster mentioned. Nothing negative about that. In fact, as an Asian, you're probably less likely to face discrimination in the form of REVERSE discrimination, which nationally is the latest rave.

One negative against Aberdeen for me is it seems to always be the coldest town in SD.

[drinkthekoolaid]

You said you like guns... You'll be fine you'll fit right in.

I mean that in a good way. (not being snarky I know it's tough to tell on the internet).

[Octopuseater]

Thanks. I’ll be planning a trip there next year. I’ll probably rent a car and drive around SD to see what it’s like.

[Middleoftheroad5]

Hi. I realize this post is five months old, but maybe this info. will help someone else.

I've lived in both towns. My choice would be Watertown. Neither town has a Best Buy or something similar. I would choose Watertown because, at some point, you're going to want to get to a larger city with more services and, while both towns are in the sticks, Aberdeen is even farther removed.

If you need to see any medical sub-specialists at some point, or go to a bigger hospital, Watertown is 1.5 hours from Sioux Falls and four hours from Minneapolis. Tack on an extra 1:45 to get to these places from Aberdeen.

I also think Watertown's downtown has a slight edge over Aberdeen's. Aberdeen's seems to have more empty storefronts.

Crime is going to be pretty comparable and very low for the most part.

[SkyLark2019]

Both are really really quiet.

Just warning you. Small towns in the Plains region are very sleepy and wholesome.

[601halfdozen0theother]

I don't think either the words "sleepy" or "wholesome" are at all accurate.

Maybe the words Hardworking and Parochial better apply.

[JanND]

I'd like to know how your move went, and what you think of SD??