It might surprise you, but South Dakota is often listed as a great place to retire. If you have spent much time in this overlooked state it may not be all that surprising, however. Why is SD such a nice place to grow old in? Let’s dig in to discover the best places to retire in South Dakota, and why you might want to move there. Listed below are seven of the best places to live in South Dakota for retirees.

1. Winner

Winner, SD 57580, USA
Ammodramus via Wikimedia Commons
When it comes to retirement, Winner is a true winner! Home to just under 3,000 people, Winner is a picturesque small town that is not only safe, but also offers a number of special events, a charming downtown area, and lots of friendly neighbors who will always welcome you with open arms.

If you are moving to South Dakota, get to know some of the local businesses in the lovely town of Winner in this video from The Winner Area Chamber of Commerce:

2. Brandon

Brandon, SD 57005, USA
City of Brandon South Dakota - Municipal Government / Facebook
If you crave more of a big-city feel without actually living in the big city, you are going to love Brandon. While this Sioux Falls suburb is highly regarded for its school system, it is also the perfect place to retire, thanks to its affordable home prices and close proximity to Sioux Falls.

3. Lead

Lead, SD, USA
Gary Chancey via Wikimedia Commons
If you love history but would prefer to avoid the "bigger" tourist towns, Lead is the perfect place for you. Home to just over 3,050 people, Lead is just a hop, a skip, and a jump away from ample museums, historic downtown areas, and popular national landmarks.

Related Stories

There’s A Poisonous Plant Growing In South Dakota Yards That Looks Like A Harmless Weed

There’s A Poisonous Plant Growing In South Dakota Yards That Looks Like A Harmless Weed

 You Might Be Surprised To Hear The Predictions About South Dakota's Damp and Cold Upcoming Winter

You Might Be Surprised To Hear The Predictions About South Dakota's Damp and Cold Upcoming Winter

 Here Are The 10 Richest Counties In South Dakota

Here Are The 10 Richest Counties In South Dakota

4. Hot Springs

Hot Springs, SD 57747, USA
devriesm via Wikimedia Commons
Nicknamed the "Southern Gateway of the Black Hills," Hot Springs is quite possibly the most gorgeous small town in South Dakota thanks to its surrounding scenery and beautiful landscape. (Need we even mention that the cost of living in Hot Springs is significantly less than the national average?)

One of the biggest draws to Hot Springs, SD are the wonderful waterfalls you'll find in the southern parts of the Black Hills - take a look in this video from RVerTV:

5. Pierre

Pierre, SD 57501, USA
Roderick Eime / Flickr
While capital cities are typically big and overwhelming, Pierre is the exact opposite, making it the perfect spot to retire. Not only does Pierre boast a small population (in terms of capital cities), but it is also home to lots of things to do like shopping, museums, and volunteer opportunities.

6. Yankton

Yankton, SD 57078, USA
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
"What a discovery" you will find in Yankton, which boasts unique dining, recreation opportunities, parks, churches, and everything else you could possibly want in a hometown.

7. Vermillion

Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
Magicpiano via Wikimedia Commons
Last, but certainly not least, is Vermillion, which is famous for being the home of the University of South Dakota. However, it offers so much more. So, what can you expect to find in Vermillion? Try low cost of living, friendly neighbors, a vibrant community, and... need I really go on?

If you are looking for towns to retire in South Dakota, consider Vermillion. Take a drive through this charming town in this video from Decelerated Travel:

What do you think … is South Dakota a good place to retire? Where do you think are the best places to retire in South Dakota? Share some of your favorite towns with a comment.

Are you craving even more small-town goodness? If so, check out these nine slow-paced small towns in South Dakota where life is still simple. One of the best ways to explore the state is by renting an RV from RVShare and going on a road trip.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Best Places To Live In South Dakota For Retirees

Jennifer Young | June 17, 2022

Where are three of the best places to retire in South Dakota?

When it comes time to retire, most people decide to relocate to a place where they can relax and enjoy their retirement days. Luckily, there are several places in South Dakota that are perfect for retirees to put down roots. Listed below are three of the best places to retire in South Dakota.

1. Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, the most populous city in South Dakota, offers a variety of housing options such as condos, apartments, town homes, and affordable houses. Retirees appreciate having such a variety of options when it comes to choosing their housing. In Sioux Falls, residents also experience all four seasons, which makes this city such a great place to live. To keep retirees active and outdoors, the city is also home to more than 80 parks.

2. Rapid City

Rapid City, the seat of Pennington County, South Dakota, is situated on the eastern side of the Black Hills and is home to less than 80,000 people. Even though Rapid City has a big-city feel, it still holds that small-town charm that retirees love. It's one of the best retirement communities in South Dakota. A variety of activities are offered in Rapid City all year long. Also, community residents enjoy meeting up and playing cards, pickleball, pool, and more. Retirees absolutely love putting down roots in Rapid City!

3. Mitchell

Mitchell, the seat of Davidson County, is home to South Dakota's famous Corn Palace. Every year, the exterior of this popular attraction is decorated with a different theme. Mitchell has a population of around 15,500, making it the 6th-largest city in South Dakota. Because of its size, small-town charm is what residents experience here. With home values of around $150,000, Mitchell is an affordable option for retirees. This small town also offers a variety of outdoor activities to keep retirees active, including hiking, fishing, swimming, and more.

Where is one of the best places to live in South Dakota if you have grandchildren?

Most retirees have grandchildren and want to choose a place to live that offers fun things for them to do whenever they visit. One of the best places to live in South Dakota if you have grandchildren is Aberdeen. Aberdeen, the seat of Brown County, South Dakota, offers a strong art community. In this town, which has a population of less than 30,000, residents and visitors will get to enjoy concerts, plays, and of course Storybook Land. There are also several parks in Aberdeen where retirees can enjoy outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, biking, and camping.

Related Articles

Explore South Dakota