So You Are Thinking of Moving to Iowa (Colo: elementary school, university)

[msbiggz]

Thanks Deb,
We are also considering De Moines, he hasnt made up his mind which place yet, can you fill me in on that area also.
Thank you alot
Shon( MSBIGGZ)

[Iowagirl566]

Originally Posted by down to earth

Hi,
I have a job transfer to Des Moines. Please share with me what areas of town I should NOT....move too? Any other words of wisdom??? How's the housing market?

Tons of new housing in the downtown all built within the last 2 years. The downtown is getting a facelift with a couple of new small groceries stores as well. Having moved to Des Moines from a small Iowa town 15 years ago I would not, under any condition live between 2nd Ave to 24th St between University and Hickman. That is about the worst part or town you will find. If it's in the 50314 zipcode, its probably a bad area. There are a few pockets of nice houses in the area put that is where most of the crime and shootings are. Houses on the East and South side are cheaper. The West side is nice and where most of the major shopping is in the area. Urbandale is a nice, older suburb with affordable 40 year old houses. I like Ankeny. Houses are affordable. It has a SuperTarget, Super Walmart, 4 big grocery stores. I hear they are getting a Best Buy soon too.

[metro223]

...I wrote a thread about moving to Pleasant Hill earlier... and now that Iowagirl566 mentioned that section of University in Des Moines, I'm wondering which way is the "safe way" to take to downtown or the west side.

Say I wanted to go to Jordan Creek f/ Pleasant Hill by taking 235 thru DSM, would University be a bad connecter on that route? is it dangerous since it is not freeway and you may have to stop?

[WoodwardGirl]

Originally Posted by beemer1010

Say I wanted to go to Jordan Creek f/ Pleasant Hill by taking 235 thru DSM, would University be a bad connecter on that route? is it dangerous since it is not freeway and you may have to stop?

The most unsafe thing about this is that I (at least) WOULD have to stop -- at the Drake Diner for patty melt, fries and a malt. Mmmmmmmm.

Seriously, folks -- stopping at stop signs or lights is hardly a risky activity anywhere in Iowa. You're thinking of L.A. or Dallas or somewhere like that.

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by beemer1010

...I wrote a thread about moving to Pleasant Hill earlier... and now that Iowagirl566 mentioned that section of University in Des Moines, I'm wondering which way is the "safe way" to take to downtown or the west side.

Say I wanted to go to Jordan Creek f/ Pleasant Hill by taking 235 thru DSM, would University be a bad connecter on that route? is it dangerous since it is not freeway and you may have to stop?

Des Moines metro had 5 murders in 2005. The area is extremely safe. I would save the worrying about stopping at lights for Chicago or Atlanta.

The homicide rate in Des Moines is 1.5 per 100,000. The US average is around 4X that amount, and that includes small towns and rural areas.

A similarly sized metro like Little Rock has around 9.5 times as many murders as Des Moines.

[pepe1]

Originally Posted by beemer1010

...I wrote a thread about moving to Pleasant Hill earlier... and now that Iowagirl566 mentioned that section of University in Des Moines, I'm wondering which way is the "safe way" to take to downtown or the west side.

Say I wanted to go to Jordan Creek f/ Pleasant Hill by taking 235 thru DSM, would University be a bad connecter on that route? is it dangerous since it is not freeway and you may have to stop?

The stretch of university from Pleasant Hill to I-235 is 100% safe, a very blue collar part of town. The questinable areas of University are actually immediately north of Downtown.

[metro223]

I realize Iowa is safe, I already knew that. But it's metro and there are bad parts of town everywhere, murder isn't the only thing that happens. But thank you for responses and I'll have to try the Drake Diner!

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by beemer1010

I'll have to try the Drake Diner!

I'm a big fan of the rarebit burger and the chocolate cake shake (vanilla ice cream and chocolate cake blended up). Man, that place is so good.

[down to earth]

I'd say move to Des Moines if you are comfortable in bigger towns. If you are a "big town" person Clinton will be a BIG dissapointment. I'd pick either Iowa City (better diversity but younger population cause of college) or Des Moines, but then I cannot take a small town anymore after living near Denver for the past 25 years....Best of LUCK!!!
Deb

[down to earth]

The biggest safety issue with driving West on University is the fact that some idiot made it OK for people to park their cars on the sides of the street!!!! So, in one part of University you will be driving on a 2 lane street and all of a sudden theirs a parked car smack dad in front of you!!! It's the dumbest thing I've ever seen. This is around Drake, which I'm sure is cause of parking issues, but it's really asking for a wreck or two...