Well CB I dont really know you but as someone about to make the biggest decision I have ever made by moving countries all I can say is best of luck in your new home.
What concerns me quite a bit are all the relatively anti SD comments as a result of your post. We are selling up here in South Africa, leaving family and good friends behind to give our 3 young children a better life. After a number of visits to the USA we have chosen SD mainly for the weather and also for the large ex SA population in SD who have been very supportive. Reading the posts above starts giving us second thoughts!! Are we making a mistake??