Tea offers rural vibes with easy access to Sioux Falls
The community of Tea is a popular Sioux Falls suburb that has grown slowly but steadily over the years. As Sioux Falls' population started booming, Tea caught the wave, welcoming new residents who wanted to be close to the city but live in a more rural setting. "Tea is very forward-thinking. They're working to grow the city responsibly and to preserve home values," says Sioux Falls local Chris Chase, a Realtor with Results Real Estate who has nearly a decade of experience selling homes. "It really is a great little community. And in terms of pricing, it's comparable to Sioux Falls and Harrisburg, so you're getting more space for about the same price."
A boom of modern housing
Tea is a quiet, residential area with wide roads and views of rural fields and the flat South Dakota landscape. The area's housing boom started in 2010, and most properties are in the New Traditional style. However, midcentury ranch-style homes and split-levels are also familiar sights. "There are a ton of custom homes popping up on the north side and spec housing on the south," Chase says. "Tea qualifies for the Rural Development Loan program, which lets people buy single-family homes with a zero percent down payment." The median sales price in Tea is about $356,000, lower than the national median of $436,000.
School district focuses on a continuous improvement model
The Tea Area School District serves the community, and South Dakota offers limited school choice options. The TASD uses the Continuous School Improvement process to help better identify individual students' needs and how they can advance academically. In Tea, children can start at one of three elementary schools: Frontier, Legacy or Venture. Legacy and Venture elementary schools both get B-plus ratings from Niche, while Frontier gets a B-minus. Children can move on to B-rated Tea Area Middle School and B-minus-rated Tea Area High.
Sports programs and green spaces support active lifestyles
The community has several well-maintained green spaces, from the playground and fishing pond at Tea City Park to the softball fields and pickleball courts at the Tea Athletic Complex. "There's a very active sports community there," Chase says. "A lot of people's kids are involved with the local Little League, and they do a nice job of providing programs." Bakker Crossing Golf Course is nearby and open to the public. It has an 18-hole course and hosts several local leagues and annual competitions.
Long-standing local restaurants and shopping in Sioux Falls
Retail options are limited in Tea. The community has a few convenience stores, small independent shops and locally owned restaurants. By day, Titans Tavern serves classic American fare and craft beer. By night, it transforms into a venue for live music and bar food. Roughly 7 miles away, Sioux Falls has a large commercial area anchored by the Empire Mall. Several retail plazas around the mall house big-box stores, such as Walmart and Sam's Club.
Live music and fireworks highlight Tea’s summer festival
Every year on the third weekend in June, the entire area becomes host to Teapot Days, a spirited annual community celebration. For three days, the air is filled with the sounds of live music and chatter. Local food vendors and artisans set up booths, the Teapot Day Parade marches down Main Avenue and fireworks light the sky every night.
Commute to Sioux Falls is quick via I-29 and new connections
Tea's east side is bordered by Interstate 29, a north-south highway that spans 252 miles. Residents can take I-29 directly into the heart of Sioux Falls, roughly 11 miles away or a 20-minute drive. "Sioux Falls is going to be connecting South Veterans Parkway to I-29, so that's going to help cut down commute time between Tea and east Sioux Falls," Chase says. Sanford USD Medical Center and Hospital, the closest medical center to Tea, is in Sioux Falls.
