What do you love and hate about living in Iowa? (Mason City: crime, new home)

[LPerkins33]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

Why, because you've never seen the other side of the Iowa border?

???

I live in Idaho now, not only that but I have been to every state in the nation and 24 countries. Iowa easily has the kindest people.

[mikemorrow]

I'm 52. Lived in Iowa all my life. Though there are good things. I finally got sick of the winters and the hot summers. I moved and i'm happier now on the Oregon coast. Still have the changeing seasons just not as extreem

[mare 70]

I'll make it short. You can never enjoy being outdoors, (too cold, too warm, humid, mosquitos) and there is nothing to do indoors!!!!! You are far far away from any big city and the conclusion is:BORING!!!! People are friendly if they ever start talking to someone the don't know from their childhood!

[iowatater]

Having lived almost everywhere before moving here, I have to say the quality of the outdoor parks and recreation areas is much higher than what I have seen elsewhere.

I like the fact that I am rarely surprised in Iowa. It's all very predictable.

I like that I can live in a small town yet drive 20 minutes to work in downtown DM, and have a little city life mixed in.

The schools are among the best. The colleges are likewise of high quality.

[LPerkins33]

Originally Posted by mare 70

I'll make it short. You can never enjoy being outdoors, (too cold, too warm, humid, mosquitos) and there is nothing to do indoors!!!!! You are far far away from any big city and the conclusion is:BORING!!!! People are friendly if they ever start talking to someone the don't know from their childhood!

what? You must just be an outdoor softy. And a 6 hour drive at most to many large cities is "far far away"?

[QuadCityImages]

More like a 2 hour drive for those of us on the east side. Some people commute farther than that...

[zz4guy]

Originally Posted by mare 70

i'll make it short. You can never enjoy being outdoors, (too cold, too warm, humid, mosquitos) and there is nothing to do indoors!!!!! You are far far away from any big city and the conclusion is:boring!!!! People are friendly if they ever start talking to someone the don't know from their childhood!

lol!

[LPerkins33]

Originally Posted by QuadCityImages

More like a 2 hour drive for those of us on the east side. Some people commute farther than that...

indeed. 3 hours to Chicago for me when I'm back home in Iowa City, a little over 4 to St. Louis, 5 to Kansas City and 4.5 or so to Minneapolis. Those drives are EASY.

[zz4guy]

Define Chicago. I can make it to Aurora in under 3 hours from Marion. But downtown you are talking 3.5 - 4 depending on traffic.

[Busch71]

Originally Posted by mikemorrow

I'm 52. Lived in Iowa all my life. Though there are good things. I finally got sick of the winters and the hot summers. I moved and i'm happier now on the Oregon coast. Still have the changeing seasons just not as extreem

I envy you. I absolutely love the Oregon coast and someday hope to live there. I'll probably move back to the Portland area in a few years and then maybe I can retire to the coast if I play my cards right.