Living in Rapid City feels like literally 'living with nature'.

As seen in the photo, it is a neighborhood well surrounded by forests.

It is located at the meeting point of the Black Hills mountain range and the plains, appearing on the map like a gateway to the West.

Perhaps that's why the scent of the mountains fills the air during the commute, and after work, it is common to see starlight instead of city lights.

Rapid City is not a large city, but the scenery it holds is more magnificent than that of many big cities.

In the heart of the city, you can find streets called the 'City of Presidents', where statues of U.S. presidents stand.

Faces like Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Kennedy are scattered throughout the streets, and tourists are always bustling to take photos in front of them. Thanks to this, the city, though small, is full of vitality.

Another pride of this place is undoubtedly Mount Rushmore.

It takes just 30 minutes by car to reach there, and it is not just a tourist spot but a kind of symbol for the local people.

Children learn about the 'Rushmore Spirit' in school, and residents take pride in the grandeur that the mountain provides.

With nature so close, leisure activities are diverse.

In summer, people enjoy swimming or fishing at Black Hills Lake, and in winter, they sled or ski on the snow-covered hills.

Just a little outside the city center, campsites and trails connect, and on weekends, RVs and motorcycles fill the roads.

Economically, this city is centered around tourism, military-related industries, healthcare, and education.

With Ellsworth Air Force Base nearby, there are many military families in the city, and the local economy is influenced by them.

Housing prices are lower than the U.S. average, making it attractive for those dreaming of settling down, but the population is not large, so job competition is not fierce.

Instead, people are relaxed and warm-hearted. Even if you meet someone for the first time, they will greet you after seeing you two or three times, and the café owner quickly remembers the coffee preferences of regulars. This warm humanity is the true charm of this city.

Of course, in winter, there is a lot of snow and strong winds, making the perceived temperature quite low. However, when you enjoy a barbecue by the fire against the backdrop of the snow-covered Black Hills, even that cold feels like a part of life.

Living in Rapid City is not just about residing in a city, but it can be said to be 'slowing down and reclaiming one's true life'.

While it may lack flashy shopping malls or convenient transportation, it is a place filled with stars in the sky, the wind of the forest, and interactions with neighbors.