So is it really as bad as some posters say? (Des Moines: appointed, fit in)

[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?

[Tek_Freek]

Your acceptance usually depends on your acceptance.

You will be accepted as part of a community when you accept that community as yours and act accordingly.

Those that complain about lack of acceptance haven't seen or cannot see that simple truth.

[CaliforniaBound]

Thanks TekFreek. Could you recommend neighborhoods to seek out or maybe avoid?

[DaninEGF]

I second the post from Tek_Feek.....I have moved all over the Midwest in my career (now live in far northwestern Minnesota)....and I have had no problems anywhere. I went to college at Iowa State in Ames and I loved Iowa while I was there and still frequently travel through the state and through the quad cities to visit relatives in downstate Illinois and Kentucky. I had some roomates in college from the quad cities and Bettendorf was always considered the best of the four cities with the best schools. But since you have lived in Iowa before....I know nothing that would have changed your earlier perceptions. It has always been a nice place to call home where people respect others who work hard and promote the community in which they live.

Someone can always find something wrong with anyplace and run into disagreeable people anywhere....but by and large everyone all over the country are good people. You got to be be friendly and open to others first and then they will be to you too in return in most cases. That is the way where I live, where Norwegians and Swedes dominate and by nature people are reserved and wont just run up to you when you arrive in the neighborhood. You gotta take the first step often, but once you do they welcome you and help you out when needed. At least that is my experience. I keep a postivie attitude on everything and that helps out.

Dan

[Tek_Freek]

I cannot help with neighborhoods or information as I have never been there except to pass through. Sounds like I should spend some time there from the information given in the previous post.

It's likely that someone will give you some information sooner or later. The Iowa section is not the quickest moving on these boards.

[Southside Shrek]

why is the Iowa section so slow with posters? maybe we need more foreigners moving to Iowa who can rant on about the state.

[RonnieJonez]

Originally Posted by Southside Shrek

why is the Iowa section so slow with posters? maybe we need more foreigners moving to Iowa who can rant on about the state.

You're funny. Iowans are way too sensitive about opinions they disagree with regarding the state. I heard the Governor of Minnesota called Des Moines "boring" 10 years ago and the State Legislature asked for his public apology or wanted him to resign. Seriously, I don't have anything against Iowa, but sometimes it's like living in the land of full-grown babies.

I'm not making this up either...http://www.legis.state.ia.us/GA/77GA...5/Current.html

[Listen Up!]

Wow where to start... SouthSide Des Moines is dirty, smelly, ugly,... but the people there are proud to be a SouthSider. Same goes for the North, and East Side. You dont want to live by the fairgrounds... It smells like rotten pig flesh. You dont want to live in the South Side.. There is a bunch of racist rednecks. You dont want to live in the North Side... Its ghetto... Same goes for the SouthEastBottoms which is also ghetto... Meaning poor housing...Poor everything... Wow lets talk about the West Side... If you want yuppy, racist, ignorent white people go to Des Moines... That city is a safe haven for "excuse my language" RACIST ********!!! The city is only 8.5 percent black, 7.5 hispanic and 1 percent asian... Wow get some culture Des Moines!!! The time i was there i experienced the most open racisiom i have ever experienced... AND IM WHITE!!! White people in Des Moines only have 3 catagories a black male can be. A drug-dealer, a gang banger or a thug.. WTF is that!?!?!?!? If your hispanic you must be a gang banger a drug dealer or you dont understand english meaning its ok to say racist things to them cus they dont understand!?!?!? Asian must own a nail shop.. Because of profiling...What a sad experience.

[Southside Shrek]

Bring on the H1-B visas for Iowa.

[leighberkshire]

California bound,

Nothing ventured nothing gained. Dont let the negitive comments keep you from following your heart. I have noticed that the ones who make the negitive comments are afraid to live or even look out side the box.