MBA relocating from MA (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids: transplants, home, find a job)

[MelissainMass]

Good afternoon ~ Recently I visited Iowa for my graduation and fell in love with the atmosphere and relaxed demeanor of all the kind citizens I met during my trip. As someone that has resided in Massachusetts ( the berkshires which is outside of boston ) I am looking forward to moving somewhere that the cost of living is a little more reasonable and the prospect of someday owning my own home is more feesible. The areas of Iowa where I ventured during my trip include the towns in and around the Davenport and Clinton areas. My fiance and I liked the feel of the Davenport area and the idea that it seemed fairly new and relatively safe. My concern is that as an excited graduate I may have overlooked other parts of Iowa that could offer me greater career opportunities. If anyone has any advice for a couple from MA looking to become Iowa transplants please let me know. Thank you in advance

[jake1110]

Most of Iowa's cities, with a few exceptions, are safe. My personal favorite areas in Iowa are Des Moines and Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor. Des Moines is growing quickly, especially the west suburbs, and the quality of living is high. CR/IC is also known as the technology corridor. This region is also growing fast and has a high standard of living. The QC is pretty nice too. Iowa suffers somewhat from rural flight, though our populuation has been growing slightly. Overall, I think Iowa has some very unique features and is a very progressive state. We also have a great public education system. We're not the stereotypical "live on farm country folk" as the media portrays us as.

Anyway, let me just say....Welcome to Iowa! Hope you enjoy your stay.

[iowegian]

For business opportunities outside of the Quad Cities (Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, and Rock Island, if you didn't know), you might want to look at Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. I think my personal order of preference would be, starting with most favorable: Des Moines, Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids. I would recommend visiting those three just to see what you think. I think a good day of driving around and seeing what each city has to offer would greatly help in making a decision.

Just as a footnote: I love Iowa City, but I don't know how easy it would be to find a job in business here (everything is very university-oriented, as I'm sure you can relate to being from Boston...) and so I won't necessarily suggest it unless you know you can get a job here, in which case I strongly recommend it.

[TheFarmer'sDaughter]

I would probably say you would find the best use of your degree in either Des Moines, Quad Cities, or Iowa City/Cedar Rapids. It really all depends on you, and what you are looking for in a place. With an MBA I would probably say Des Moines would be the better choice employment wise. They are all equally good places in my opinion.
I wish you great success in your search, and welcome!

[MelissainMass]

Thanks everyone for your feedback and assistance it is scary thinking about moving to a new place! At the same time I am sooo excited...hoping to escape a few of the stresses that currently befall Massachusetts although I do not expect any place to be perfect. I have been searching the internet for job opportunities and have concluded that I really would prefer to live in the vicinity of the Quad cities at least when I first transplant. As always any advice is welcome and appreciated. Thank you in advance I am so excited!

[QuadCityImages]

Welcome to the area!

[fireman7]

one city that i see is overlooked here is waterloo cedarfalls . while the rest of the state has see a major slow down i think you'll find they have not . it's smaller city but still has a lot to offer check out their sites . On the other citys, I've lived in des moines & cedar rapids but the last few times i've ben in the Quads on biz there has been a change for the better . the down towns are coming back and its a lot of fun . Me and my wife took a mini vacation there last year , and had a blast