So is it really as bad as some posters say? (Des Moines: neighborhoods, school district)

[ic-epi]

Originally Posted by gatitosmommy

ic-epi:

the first paragraph in your post says it all..
however, my distaste for this area isn't because of the extreme differences vs. what I'm familiar with, it's a matter my usual "live and let live" attitude toward differences is not taken well by the locals... some deeply resent the differences, & are extremely hostile about it...

would it be allowed for me to put a link here to a post I had in the local newspaper forum?

gatitosmommy,

I'm sorry you've encountered that attitude in Iowa. I can tell you from experience (as I am also very much a "live and let live" type of person) that the vast majority of people I've met in my 40+ years here have been kind, friendly, and accepting, as long as people are kind and friendly towards them and not standoffish. I also think it's important for people who are considering moving there that you don't give the impression that the entire state is like your one local experience. There are resentful, hostile, bigoted people all over the world (yes, even in Texas).

In fact (and I'm not referring to you here, gatitosmommy), some of the most hostile, prejudiced people I've ever heard of have posted on this forum, complaining about Iowa.

[ShearerFamily]

I live north of L.A. in Ventura County. Life in California is way too fast to raise children. I would move to a rural part of California if I were to raise kids here. I was born in Des Moines and I loved growing up in the midwest. I'd advise you to stay in the midwest. Life in California is nothing like Iowa.....now here's the rub.....that was in the 50s. But I would still say stay back in the midwest.

[summer grace]

I've never been to the west coast, but I have heard it's very fast paced, and I think I would like that, because I'm not one of those slow living people, and everyone is in IA. But, there are other things that deter me from it, although someone once told me, knowing I was from the midwest '' The west coast will change your life''- they meant positively, but maybe you could think of negatives as well. But that did stay with me.

[trishinca]

All the posts about the cities, factory smells, drugs and cultural problems break my heart. It was not like that when I grew up there. It was a cold, unforgiving climate I remember most; but newer insulated homes and better transportation have helped that. I don't know what to say about the rest. Just stay away from the darker sides of any society, I guess. Water seeks its own level, as I've heard from my childhood, and if you want nicer people and neighborhoods, seek them out. Good luck.

[crashcop]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaBound

My sign on name states "CaliforniaBound" but a turn of events has us considering Iowa. We lived in Iowa in the mid to late 90's in Fort Madison and really enjoyed our time there and found the parts of Iowa we were able to visit very beautiful. We have the opportunity due to my husband's job to return to the area of the quad-cities. I have read some of the postings on this forum and becoming concerned because of the negative comments such as not being accepting of newbies, etc. We have desired to find a laid back area to raise our boys ages 11, 6 and 5 and have most recently lived in Salt Lake City Utah although we are originally from Texas. I am not sure you could find a more unaccepting area as Utah and we have fit in just fine but since my family has moved around a great deal typically reach out ourselves and meet new friends easily. I know you hear good and bad about each and every state but if Iowa has grown into an area we should avoid we would like to know before we make a big mistake. I am really disappointed because I have such fond memories of our time spent in Fort Madison and Keokuk. Any thoughts?

I grew up in SW Iowa and went out of state to college never to return other than to visit. If you want a safe clean place, with public schools rated as some of the best nationally, then Iowa is for you. If you want to know about the crime rate in the Quad Cities, pull the FBI stats for the area. I have spent 25 years in law enforcement, you will be hard pressed to find many Iowans that know real crime. The KCMO area has more homicides in a month than Des Moines does in a year, yet there ae wonderful areas to live here. Take the talk of crime etc... with a grain of salt. There are negatives any where, compare them against the positives to make your decision.

I would suggest before you make a decision you personally visit the area for a long weekend, and schedule time for a realtor to show you around.

[EXITTOBEND]

The best place in America to live is Bend, Oregon.

[docsocco]

i moved to davenport when i was 16 and stayed till i was 34 . i found it a warm and friendly town. People worked and played together well and were always willing to help out. Some friends gathered every sunday for an informal softball game and this gathering continued every sunday for 10 years . I live in Pa. now , reading a town of similar size to davenport but cold , insular and more small townish than any town ive ever been in.
A friend of mine needs anew roof here and had to hire someone to do it . i was remembering when i ws in davenport that in my group of friends if you wanted your roof done all you needed was a keg of beer and a group would show up and re do the roof in a day. and party would follow .
As a boy , i found friends easily and my west texas drawl brought more curiosity than aloofness .
I saw some negative comments about cultural attractions . Iowa City is 60 min away and the university has a nice art museum and thatcher auditorium presents a wide variety of events. Chicago is 3 hrs more or less , take illinois 5 not I80.
there are good parks in scott county and lots of scenic places. Some i would reccommend are the east village , wild cats den, scott county park and the lock and dams o the river, the minor league ball park is pretty and friendly.

[Lilia83]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaBound

My sign on name states "CaliforniaBound" but a turn of events has us considering Iowa. We lived in Iowa in the mid to late 90's in Fort Madison and really enjoyed our time there and found the parts of Iowa we were able to visit very beautiful. We have the opportunity due to my husband's job to return to the area of the quad-cities. I have read some of the postings on this forum and becoming concerned because of the negative comments such as not being accepting of newbies, etc. We have desired to find a laid back area to raise our boys ages 11, 6 and 5 and have most recently lived in Salt Lake City Utah although we are originally from Texas. I am not sure you could find a more unaccepting area as Utah and we have fit in just fine but since my family has moved around a great deal typically reach out ourselves and meet new friends easily. I know you hear good and bad about each and every state but if Iowa has grown into an area we should avoid we would like to know before we make a big mistake. I am really disappointed because I have such fond memories of our time spent in Fort Madison and Keokuk. Any thoughts?

I spent most of my life in Southeast Iowa, and I know it to be a very accepting place. I have even brought my husband back home to Iowa on vacation and he was shocked at how friendly people are to everyone.
It's extremely laid back and friendly, I have never had or been a part of any hostile experiences with "newbies." Most of the memories I have had with "newbies" were out of state newbies who became very popular because they had experience with places more exciting than our little cornfield in Iowa.
I have never been particularly fond of the Keokuk area, that would be my only bad thing I would say. But it has not changed into some horrid place since you left it, and sometimes you really have to check the source of the comments and gauge the depth of their experiences. I hope you won't let these comments mar the reputation of small town friendliness Iowans pride themselves on.

[gt80rider]

I still visit Keokuk a couple times a year. It really didn't get the minor boom than many smaller cities got in the late 90's and early 00's. You can look at other small cities like Quincy Illinois, about an hour to the south, that really took off. Keokuk on the other hand, is a slave to Wal-Mart, as it's the only new thing in town since the 70's. Keokuk still have loads of good people. Still safe. Still inexpensive housing. Virtually unchanged in my lifetime.

[naughtychica]

I've lived in the Denver area for 14 years. We are contemplating moving to Iowa so I can get into nursing school. In the Denver area there is a 4 year waitlist! I'm from Iowa originally so I know what I'm getting into but, I don't know if I can Make it!! Denver is very diverse and my kids have friends of all ethnic backgrounds I hope that a 2 year period of living in a town with 98.9% white people won't be harmful to my kids. I just know from growing up in Iowa that prejudice and racism is very strong. That is something I do take pride in now was my ability to overcome that! I have friends from all ethnic backgrounds. In fact I embrace them because I love to learn about their culture. All my family is still in Iowa but that's 1/2 the reason I'm in Colorado. I escaped once I'm just nervous I'll get sucked in from family influence. I'm hoping I'm even stronger now than when I was 21. Anyone have any thoughts. Will I be considered an outsider in a new town that I'm not familiar with even though I'm from Iowa? That could be interesting! I'm really not into all the BS but, I don't want my kids to suffer. Do they even offer Spanish as a foreign language in schools? When I was growing up it was French or nothing. Who uses French?