Looking to meet new people in DSM area (Des Moines, Clive: best city, insurance)

[east_villager]

Hi,
My fiancee and I just relocated to DSM in September, and are looking to meet new people. We're mid 20's, working professionals, outgoing people. Does anyone have suggestions for social clubs, intramural sports, groups, or networking events to join?

Thanks!

[capitalcityguy]

I highly recommend you read Juice. It is a free weekly newspaper targeted at ages 21 - 35. They usually have a list of top networking events each week.

[tollfree]

It can be more difficult to meet new people here, this can be a very insular place, unless you grew up here or went to one of the State Universities. Even these "Young Professional" groups can seem that way, everyone already knows everyone, and they usually work at one of the same insurance companies, (or a wells fargo campus) usually in middle-management. These groups can be a little fanatical with their "local-everything" agenda. With that said, it can be done. It may be easier to relate to others who moved here from different cities.

[El Rhino]

RonnieJonez, one of these days you're going to have to unload on us all your experiences with the Jaycees or whatever it was you were a part of. I've never heard of anyone really having an axe to grind with those kinds of groups like you do.

[swlmc2]

Agree with the other poster who recommended Juice. You might also look into meetup dot com for others who share your interests, e.g. book clubs, hiking clubs, young professional groups, etc. Doing volunteer work for a worthy organization is also a way to meet like-minded people.
Good luck. It can be challenging meeting people here.

[SharpHawkeye]

You know, in a situation like this, the old-fashioned way might be the best way. Talk to your co-workers and your neighbors. Tell them the same thing you're telling us here. Ask them what clubs or hobbies they have. What hangout spots do they know? I have no doubt they'll be sympathetic and help you out.

That's the thing about Iowa. If you don't say anything, we'll assume you're doing OK and leave you alone. (Or maybe, we 'll think, you want to be left alone.)

[tollfree]

Just goto one of those Clive After 5 events when it gets nicer out and count all those "DES MOINES, best city in the world" or "Iowa NATIVE" t-shirts. "Des MOINES! YES!" all that stuff. The problem is, there's an attitude here that Des Moines is some awesome, huge, mega-international city, and if you disagree with that, you're the problem. These groups exclusively push that agenda, and it can be difficult for someone who doesn't agree, or actually moved here from a much larger city (not originally from Iowa - then moved back) to assimilate with these young professional groups. There's nothing wrong with them, they're actually a good thing, they just end up having the insularity of a high school reunion.

[El Rhino]

Interesting. While I've seen those shirts from Smash/Raygun around, I don't think I've ever really known anyone in any of those groups or really noticed any true agenda from them. I just figured they existed so business casual-clad post-grads would have an excuse to hang out at some suburban patio bar on a Tuesday night.

[tollfree]

There's this prevailing attitude that Des Moines is the Center of the Universe among these groups. It's cult-like. It doesn't change anything except make the society seem kind of strange. Just be aware of it. One of those t-shirts probably even says "Des Moines, Center of Mankind". Those t-shirts exclusively back up that mentality that you find here, especially among the "young professionals" they pander to.

Everyone should want to run for mayor, lol.

[El Rhino]

You know those shirts are supposed to be tongue-in-cheek, right?


Honestly, I don't think I've ever met anyone that really fits your description. Most people here seem to be self-loathing about Des Moines (i.e. "this place sucks because it's not Chicago and there's no pro sports) or very vehement about Des Moines being "not that bad", if that makes sense (i.e. "For a city this size, such-and-such is pretty decent"). I tend to fall into the second category because it does seem like a lot of the country believes that Des Moines is little more than an overgrown truck stop in the middle of nowhere. I get a little taken aback when I talk to people from other places that say things like "I'm surprised someone from Iowa/Des Moines knows about such-and-such". I've definitely never met anyone that really believes that Des Moines is the center of the universe or world's greatest city.



While Des Moines might not be the center of the universe, I'd also like to point out that it's completely natural to think of your city as the center of YOUR universe. I'd expect people in Des Moines to talk more about Des Moines than sitting around pining about New York City or something.