So is it really as bad as some posters say? (Des Moines: college, live)

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by kev6690

Agreed, but I still stand by the fact that most of the people in these towns are related, and there are some 2nd cousins and things that do end up marrying.

What 4 or 5 metros? DSM and the Quad Cities are the only two areas with any real type of suburbs.



Oh yes, I agree. The bigger cities are fairly normal.

Omaha CSA: 858,720
Des Moines CSA: 604,626
Cedar Rapids + Iowa City: 388,887
Quad Cities: 377,291

These areas are spread out so that most people in the state, especially the eastern part, can get there in an hour or so. I know the QC's and Omaha have populations in other states, but they're just across the rivers, and easily accessable for anyone in Iowa living within 40-60 miles. I included Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, just cause you can go to the northern areas of the Iowa City metro and be in southern Cedar Rapids in literally 15-20 minutes. I use to date someone in Cedar Rapids, and I could go from downtown Iowa City to downtown Cedar Rapids in 30 minutes. It takes me that long to go 3 miles in Chicago

[scimitar12]

Having been born and raised in Davenport I can tell you that the town is basically what you make of it. The people for the most part are pretty friendly, the public schools are at least above average, and, much better than schools in larger cities in the U.S.

The city is basically sinking all its money into its continuing struggle to revitalize downtown, and building the northeast corner of the city. From what I understand the rest of the city is ignored. A big plus for the area are all the cool big and little music festivals and simlar cultural activities. When I grew up there in the 60s and 70s there was really nothing to do in the QCs. Now the Bix fest, blues fest and lots of other goings-on have grown a lot.

The job market has always been cyclical in Davenport and the rest of the area. The QCs never really recovered from the blood-letting of high-paying union and blue collar jobs in the early 80s. If someone is not with Deere or with one of the hospital chains, I am not sure if he/she can make decent money in the area.

[scimitar12]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

So the only way to get culture is raise the population of a minority group? For a predominately white state, Des Moines is just slightly less then the national average for Black and Hispanic populations (for a city of it's size).

For those who know anything about the K.C. metropolitan area and Johnson County Kansas: What is the difference between yogurt and Johnson County? Yogurt has culture.

Given the messages on this thread, I just thought I would throw this in. Course, if none of you know the lay of the land in K.C.....

[mrsb24]

I was raised in the same areas as ft. madison and keokuk. every community around there is great. i would love to live there again someday.

[shygurl100]

all i have to say is keokuk iowa is nothing but a joke and i hate it and you would all understand if you were the one here and the one that got raped here and the cops dont even help things here need to change i almost killed myself over this town and i hate it dont EVER EVER move here

[Northern Traveler]

Originally Posted by shygurl100

all i have to say is keokuk iowa is nothing but a joke and i hate it and you would all understand if you were the one here and the one that got raped here and the cops dont even help things here need to change i almost killed myself over this town and i hate it dont EVER EVER move here

[Carrie710]

Hi:

I've been working in the Cedar Rapids area right now to see if I want to make a move from the North East.... Basically only b/c there is a job opening for me here and I am needing a change. My question is...I'm a single woman, no kids, who eventually wants to meet someone. Is Iowa City too 'young' for me to live in? (I'm 31)....

[Carrie710]

PS...to my post (it posted before I was done...arghh technology)... there is nothing 'wrong' with me (I am cute, nice, fun, smart and friendly...and humble ha ha). Do you think the Iowa City area would be the best place for a single person who knows noone?

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by Carrie710

PS...to my post (it posted before I was done...arghh technology)... there is nothing 'wrong' with me (I am cute, nice, fun, smart and friendly...and humble ha ha). Do you think the Iowa City area would be the best place for a single person who knows noone?

I'll play Chuck Woolery here and make a love connection: Drop SharpHawkeye a line. I don't really know much about him, but he seems like a nice chap and lives in Iowa City.


Love is in the air!

[Disappointment_in_IA]

Originally Posted by lionandlamb

Greetings.\,

The truth of the QCA is the gangs run the area, not the police. The gangs have no fear of the police and the city is dirty...


I'd say look at other areas..

I'm in agreement with lionandlamb. My experience with detectives in Davenport is simply this: if you are not as smart as the criminals, then you do what is necessary to cover your and your boss' a__! The problem with law enforcement here in the Davenport area is most people don't want to get or be involved because of retaliation of the criminal element in the city. The police motto is "To protect and serve", but the truth of the matter is that the police can't do anything until AFTER the crime is committed!

Another item worth mentioning is a case involving a "career criminal" who for the moment will remain nameless. This criminal (currently in jail) is well known in QCA. Since the age of 9, his criminal career, which now spans 20+ years, includes 124 contacts with police in Davenport, prosecution on 28 felony and misdemeanor cases in Scott County District Court and three cases in Rock Island County (Illinois). He’s also been questioned or suspected numerous times in murders, assaults, sex crimes and weapons cases. My favorite case involves a judge sentencing this career criminal to "attend church" in 2007. I think the sentence was for 30 days, but not certain. This apparently didn't work because he was involved in several crimes after this. Want more info? Request it from me via email. I'll send you ALL of the links to the articles.

I'm also in agreement with the post from the former Iowan (CertifiaBully) now in Texas! Don't settle for anything North of the Red River! I also agree the food IS better!