Des Moines vs. Des Moines metro area (West Des Moines, Clive: income, houses)

[EscapeCalifornia]

From the stats I've found online, it seems like there's two very different Des Moines. Within the city limits looks to be poorer, more affected by crime, and losing population while the western suburbs are much better off, safer, whiter, and growing. Is that about right? Are they two different worlds that don't mix much, like a lot of cities where the suburbs are vastly different from the city they surround? I'd like some insight from someone who lives there since numbers on a web site only tell so much.

[Luke9686]

It is kind of true and not true. While generally the suburbs are more white, have less crime, newer houses, and more income, I wouldn't say it is better.

The city of Des Moines is a bigger city, so there are more neighborhoods. Some areas are middle class, some low class, and some high class. Generally in Des Moines the homes are in older, established neighborhoods.

As for being two different worlds, that all depends. If you went to the east side, down near the fairgrounds, then drove straight over to Clive or West Des Moines, you would see a huge difference. On the east side, you will see older smaller houses, and Chevy Lumina's. In West Des Moines, houses will be fairly new and people will be driving newer Toyota Carolla's. It's not like Cali where in the rich area everyone is driving BMW's and Mercedes. You will see them in DSM, but not as often as here.

Most crime in Des Moines is petty crime, but some areas are bad. You wouldn't go to those places so you wouldn't have to worry. There are some areas in the city of Des Moines where homes are over $500,000 (south of Grand).

Generally, suburbs are newer and more lively, city neighborhoods are older with not a lot going on.

[Luke9686]

Oh and to add to that, my buddy makes over $60,000 a year as a programmer. He lives on the east side in a nice house he paid $80,000 for a few years ago.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Thanks. Wow, I can only dream of such an income to house price ratio. Its gotten completely beyond reason out here.