How Do You Like Living In Iowa? (Des Moines, Iowa City: environment, property taxes)

[RonnieJonez]

Originally Posted by DSMGuy

Jealousy and envy are such sorry traits. You only hurt yourself.

Well, it's only one trait because they both mean the same thing. Also, that is a very common response around here by the gung-ho crowd to anyone who is dissatisfied with anything regarding living in DSM (almost seems drilled into people). Reminds me of grade school, when the teacher would tell kids that the bully who is making fun of you is only doing so because he is secretly jealous of you. Ridiculous.

[DSMGuy]

Thanks Webster. Hmm let's check somewhere with a bit more cred....

From dictionary.com:

Envy and jealousy are very close in meaning. Envy denotes a longing to possess something awarded to or achieved by another: to feel envy when a friend inherits a fortune. Jealousy, on the other hand, denotes a feeling of resentment that another has gained something that one more rightfully deserves: to feel jealousy when a coworker receives a promotion. Jealousy also refers to anguish caused by fear of unfaithfulness. 4. resent. Envy, begrudge, covet refer to one's attitude toward the possessions or attainments of others. To envy is to feel resentful and unhappy because someone else possesses, or has achieved, what one wishes oneself to possess, or to have achieved: to envy the wealthy, a woman's beauty, an honest man's reputation. To begrudge is to be unwilling that another should have the possessions, honors, or credit that person deserves: to begrudge a man a reward for heroism. To covet is to long jealously to possess what someone else possesses: I covet your silverware.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

Such as....

There's all kinds of bars, coffeehouses, music venues, restaurants and so-on here that I like going to. There's a lot of amateur sports, decent parks and a few worthwhile touristy places to hit up every now and then. What do you want?

[zz4guy]

Originally Posted by El Rhino

There's all kinds of bars, coffeehouses, music venues, restaurants and so-on here that I like going to. There's a lot of amateur sports, decent parks and a few worthwhile touristy places to hit up every now and then. What do you want?

Dsm isn't bad for it's size. In fact it's got a lot of cool stuff for it's size. But lets face it it is no Chicago or east coast city. I would move to Dsm before KC or Omaha. But, being single, if I was going to go thru the hassle of moving at all, it would be Chi-town, Madison or Milwaukee.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

. But lets face it it is no Chicago or east coast city..

Uhh, no one ever said it was. Des Moines is Des Moines, that's it.

[Plains10]

The Des Moines metro is growing fairly fast in population but most of the rural counties are losing population similar to states in the Great Plains. The demographics in many Iowa counties are also similar to those in the Great Plains even though Iowa is a Midwest state.

[stsmith]

Originally Posted by Cactus Sam

We moved to Iowa in the late 1990's, after carefully researching as much as we could. (Much like you are doing right now.)

At first we liked the quaintness. It was like going back in time at least 40 years. But, after awhile we grew to despise the place.

Our family's experience with Iowa (along with several other people we met from out of state that moved there and left, also) is:

It is backwards, dirty, moldy and decrepit. The people HATE outsiders and if you do not have any "ties" with relatives in the state, or if you were not born in Iowa - you will never be accepted. Never.

Don't worry about the mosquitos - worry about the stink of hog lots and ethanol plants, the lack of laws, the ignorance and inbreeding of the people.
The rudeness, the moldy restaurants, the dirty stores. Oh, and did I say ignorance? Oh, and how about the run down houses in the dead and dying small towns? Oh, and the meth labs everywhere....everywhere...

We have NOTHING good to say about Iowa except that we sold our house - at a loss, of course. And got the heck out of there. We would have walked away if it hadn't sold, but fortunately it did.

We moved to the desert in California, and are dumbfounded at the nice, friendly people. We hadn't been around friendly people in years. Iowans are not nice people at all. No, not at all - not to outsiders.

I hope my post helps you because I wish people had told us when we were researching Iowa about how backwards it is there. They kept talking about the weather. The weather is nothing. It's being around the people there that is so horrific.

We wasted several years in Iowa. I wouldn't wish that place on my worst enemy. Go West - you will never regret it.

Remember, the people are a big part of where you move - and Iowa is most definitely not a friendly state. It was a nightmare that is over!!

Think about California, Arizona, etc. People are nice there.

Oh - LOL - just watch the "non-judgemental Christian" Iowans rally up and attack this post! You will laugh. They cannot take any criticism, because they know it is true.

Adios, Iowa - we couldn't move far enough away from you.

We now live in a house in an area with nice people, our house is increasing in value daily, there are many things to do, and the people are NICE again.

My family and I will be moving (soon I hope) to Iowa. Fort Dodge, in fact! If anyone's from FD I'd love to hear from you! Anyway, I have found the folks in Iowa to be freindly, honest, God fearing, hard working, good people. You're a little upset because maybe they aren't fallin all over themselves bringin you apple pies and such? Maybe they are a little aprehensive of outsiders? Try living in Las Vegas! Or Los Angeles! Or Miami! There you run a very good chance of geting raped, robbed, car-jacked, shot, God knows what else!
So my thougts are that with such an ugly, nasty attitude most Iowa folks are likely glad you're gone!

[Cactus Sam]

Stsmith, I doubt if the Iowans even notice we're gone.

But, we sure do!

And, no we haven't been carjacked, etc..... in California.
We're just living here happily, and are so glad to be home.

We are just sorry we wasted so much time there, but life goes on.

Best of luck with your move to Fort Dodge. They have a nice mall, and lots of great restaurants. Nice new stores, too.

Adios!

[drinehart]

I grew up in Iowa and moved to the Minneapolis area about 12 years ago. I agree that some native Iowans are slow to accept new comers. Life is slower in Iowa, which isn't a bad thing, but I don't think my city girl wife and suburban kids will find it very exciting.

I'm looking to move again because of the skyrocketing cost of living in Minnesota, and I have an opportunity to work in Iowa, but the income taxes and property taxes are not much different than Minnesota. Does anyone have any comments on the Des Moines area as far as living costs, taxes, crime, etc.

I'm also pursuing opportunities in Tennessee, which would save me a lot of money per year in taxes, but some of the people seem like Iowans, slow to accept new comers. I don't necessarily mind the closed minded people, in time they'll come around, but the taxes and weather are pushing me towards TN.

Thanks for your comments,
Dave

[pepe1]

Originally Posted by drinehart

I grew up in Iowa and moved to the Minneapolis area about 12 years ago. I agree that some native Iowans are slow to accept new comers. Life is slower in Iowa, which isn't a bad thing, but I don't think my city girl wife and suburban kids will find it very exciting.

I'm looking to move again because of the skyrocketing cost of living in Minnesota, and I have an opportunity to work in Iowa, but the income taxes and property taxes are not much different than Minnesota. Does anyone have any comments on the Des Moines area as far as living costs, taxes, crime, etc.

I'm also pursuing opportunities in Tennessee, which would save me a lot of money per year in taxes, but some of the people seem like Iowans, slow to accept new comers. I don't necessarily mind the closed minded people, in time they'll come around, but the taxes and weather are pushing me towards TN.

Thanks for your comments,
Dave

Opposite of yourself, I grew up in the Twin Cities and moved to Des Moines after college.

Living costs are very similar. Housing costs are quite a bit less in Des Moines, but property taxes are easily double of what you pay in the Twin Cities. Net effect, housing is only marginally less expensive in Des Moines. Sales taxes and income taxes are nearly identical.

Crime is low very low in Des Moines and virtually non-existant in the suburbs.

Des Moines and surrounding communities have excellent public education systems.

I really don't think people in Iowa are any different than people from Minnesota when it comes to "accepting newcomers". They're both pretty laid back, slower paced midwestern states.