Happy to be leaving California!

[trishinca]

Finally, some sane talk about my fellow Iowans! How refreshing! I think you will fit in, as cooking is very big in Iowa. Yes, most women may cook for their families, but I bet having something new will be well -received, if it's affordable. Potlucks are still big back there, I understand, especially at church functions. However, your religeon or lack of it, may affect some of the older folks. Just be yourself, and I think your cooking skills will overcome some of the stodgiest of them. I so agree with the posters, Iowa's charm is the very quietness of the smallest towns. I would so dearly love to have a home in Rolfe, my grandma's hometown. Just have not prospered in life in California enough to be able to own a home at all. If anyone who reads this has experience with this area, please pm me to let me know how it's doing. Plover, Rolfe, and Iowa City is where I have had family in the past. Tiny towns is where I would like to be next, espeicially if I can keep a horse or two so my husband can still ride. He likes to rope, though, and I doubt there is much of that. Keep up the good comments. Iowans are for people who are tough, private, and good people.

[TonyaLeed]

i can help you with your move. i am a real estate agent with Remax we're national so we can hook you up! as a child i preferred to be an indian instead of a cowgirl. i live 2 miles from the saddle club. you don't need much for roping accept a horse and a cow. i do not have a horse at this present time but i will be getting one soon enough. i know where there is a nice horse property. well actually several horse properties and i could introduce you to some people in my area. i live west of des moines about 30 minutes. not far from iowa cityLOL

[TonyaLeed]

Originally Posted by IowaOrBust

Hi all! I am very excited that I am FINALLY leaving California!

My Boyfriend will be leaving in June and I in October.

I guess I want to know if anyone is familiar with the Stuart area. My boyfriend was born in Menlo and I know these are both fairly small towns and being from Los Angeles, I am a bit nervous about a small town.

I have visited many times and I love the lifestyle there. LA is so hectic and SO expensive! I need some peace and quiet!

I am kinda a homebody, I do a lot of cooking. I am hoping to start my own home based catering company when I am there.
Any info about Iowa and small towns would be appreciated. Anyone familiar with Stuart would be great too!

Besides the state fair (which I LOVE) what other fun things are there/ Is there a renaissance fair anywhere? I love those too!

tee ~

When will you be here in October? I moved back to my hometown, redfield, a year ago and it is close to stuart. 15 acres on the river which is peaceful and private. i'd be happy to meet with you and show you around and introduce you to some cool people and show you some cool places. most people who live in iowa usually never leave iowa. and if they do it may be to minnesota for vacation. LOL they are a few years behind but it is a very beautiful safe place not to mention clean, great jobs, oh and i am here. if you're happy who cares where you live? i live here to be close to my family because i am a single mom with two beautiful girls. i moved to phx a second time a few years ago and only stayed one year and moved back. wow the crime and the housing is expensive! even if you are a millionaire in phx you're not even close to living like you can live here. a million dollars won't get you much but a small piece of desert. for $100 thousand you can buy a nice home on a double lot with a 4 car garage 1/2 a block from the elementary school. (no drug zone!)in iowa your neighbor won't calling you on the phone leaving a message saying "i know you're home" LOL or with the helicopter and swat teams surrounding your home telling you to stay in your house because they're looking for a murderer who is probably hiding in your neighbors garage they left open. In stuart and the surrounding areas the most police action you'll get is a warning for not having your seatbelt on. LOL they're after those people who don't buckle up! its the law you know. i love to live in a small town. it is what the USA is all about. where people have values and stop to help you change your tire. let me know when you'll be here i would love to check out your food. there are business opportunities like you wouldn't believe in stuart. i am a real estate agent and i have a perfect place for your catering business when you have outgrown your kitchen. and i know of lots of cool places to live if you don't have a place already. i have one in mind which would suit you perfectly. location location location.

[annie valline]

HI, I grew up in Cedar Rapids, IA and have lived in Des Moines, Nevada, Ames areas. We are currently in elko, nv and may be moving to DM. I'm looking at a million houses. What area should I look in that is low crime? I like historical homes. Annie

[DMRyan]

How historic of a home are you looking for? There's the Sherman Hill Neighborhood, which is Des Moines' most urban, which has houses dating back to the 1890's. The Drake and North of Grand Neighborhoods have houses dating back from the 1900's-1920's. Beaverdale, Waterbury and Waveland Park have homes from the 1930's and 1940's. The further west you go from downtown, generally the lower the crime rate.

What is the price range of homes you're looking at, which may control what neighborhoods you can purchase in? Check through this forum for other posts about DSM neighborhoods. There's been plenty of conversation about these neighborhoods here in the past.