How Do You Like Living In Iowa? (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids: sale, apartments)

[GraniteStater]

The main difference between northern Iowa and southern Iowa is that N Iowa was settled more by people from Scandinavia. This is definitely more evident in towns like Decorah and Mason City. In fact, I knew someone from Mason City that had Norwegian ancestry. Southern Iowa has more in common with areas of N MO than the rest of Iowa in my opinion.

[metro223]

Very true Plains, I agree on the MO influence.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by Plains10

\. In fact, I knew someone from Mason City that had Norwegian ancestry.\.

Noooo... in Northern Iowa?


I agree with the Scandanavian/Missour-uh influence part. In a different thread we were talking about how people in Northern Iowa seem to have more of the Minnesota accent while people close to the Missouri border tend to have a bit of a drawl. It seems like pretty much anywhere north of Ames will have that accent (Ft. Dodge, Dubuque, Mason City, etc) while down around Osceola and south of there you get a drawl. My mom's side of the family is originally from that way and they seem to have a bit of an accent.

[use2bia]

I was born in Iowa; lived in 3 different small towns (one was a farm community). I can tell you that as a kid; birth to 9yrs old, I have very fond memories of the wild violets, and the lilac bushes on the side of our house. We'd look for 4-leaf clovers in the grass and palyed all day in the crick down the street. We went out in the morning, came back for lunch, and back out until near dark or our mom start yelling for us. Gramma lived in an apt. over a drug store and we'd stay with her in the summer. You could walk anywhere you needed to go. We were never bored as kids. Of course I can't say that the 20-40 year old range would find it as much endearing if you are used the the hustle and bustle of a big city, which I have lived in now for the last 40 yrs. I do love to visit and may even consider moving back when I'm near 60. Not sure I could leave the nice Florida winters though.

[metro223]

Everyone remember to...

It just makes sense...

[missncr]

I lived in Iowa for 14 years when I was growing up. There was good times and bad times. Overall I had a great childhood there. I had some really great friends. From what I remember people were very friendly. I moved to Southern California when I was 14 years old. Living in Southern California was the worst experience of my life. Lots and lots of crime. Over-populated. Schools were horrible. And gang members on every street corner. It was a total cultural shock to say the least. I would never raise a family in California. The only good thing about California was the weather. But the smog was and still is horrendous. As for the drug issue I never heard of cocaine until I moved to California. So, to compare the drug issue between California and Iowa is ridiculous. Hands down California is the worst. I don't live in either state anymore. But I will always defend my Iowa. Things definately aren't perfect there but it was a great place to grow up!

[KRIT23]

Parents grew up in Kanawha- Great place

I was born and raised in Pella-Great Place

I go to college in Sioux Center-Great Place


Overall North Central and Northwestern Iowa are awesome...
Pella is the next best place.

[katychicago]

this is in response to a personal message sent by Metro - who asked me to stop posting about the negative aspects of Iowa - I can't do that. Despite the fact most Iowans do NOT believe in free speech, I'm printing what is true. Hopefully City-Data is democratic enough to allow my comments to post just as they do those who rally this placePlease READ ON past this banner.

Join Date: Jan 2008
7 posts, read 503 times
Reputation: 9



sorry if i upset you, but everything i said is true.
Hi - Metro I've lived here since 9-9-2001 in rural Iowa. I relocated here for a job at the Ottumwa Courier as a reporter and I have a daughter who married a fellow here. I'd always heard good things about the state so was anxious to move here to retire.

Unfortunately this state is the worst of all I've lived in; Indiana, Chicago, Tucson, Nashville,
Winchester Tn., Los Angeles, Sacramento, Chico, Oroville and Sequoia National Park in California, Urbana Illinois, Feather Falls, California, and a few others. My moves were because of job opportunities presented to me because of my journalism experience and background. Iowa is full of crooked cops, politicians and money hungry slaughter houses. The people are rude, paranoid, prejudice, ignorant and will stab you in the back every chance they get. Most people over 65 are jammed into a nursing home and their kids take their possessions and auction them off before they've had their first "insitutional," meal. It's a pathetic situation that breaks my heart. In the places I've lived - you take care of your parents, just as they took care of you when you were a babe.

I've never lived in a place where news stories were "Killed" because the local newspaper didn't want to upset the cops, city council or local philanthropists who keep the county coffers filled. Failing the local rags, even the Register is unwilling to print stories that might reflect poorly unless it's a "sensational" story that might reap a journalism award. I know this because I've been witness to at least three people who have been "raped" by the system, unable to have their story told locally and have gone to the DMR - they've been turned down.

These were legitimate stories - I know, I'm an award winning journalist myself - I know what is newsworthy and what is not.

I'm not even going to talk about the prejudice and the KKK activities that go on here - it's too much and most people wouldn't believe it, but being white myself I'm privy to comments people make about Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, etc. It is pathetic and ignorant.

Metor, perhaps, you've just never been anywhere else to know what real, honest to goodness people are like. Maybe you need to get out of town once in while and see how caring people live.

Believe me, I am leaving as soon as school gets out this summer - I can't agree to not tell the truth on this site because I wouldn't want anyone to move here. It's a horrible place.
sorry, katychicago

[katychicago]

Metro - in response to your request that I stop posting negative information on this website - please see my comments posted below. The only way you can keep Iowa beautiful is to get rid of the crooked politicians, cops, and yellow journalism. I don't see that happening - misery loves company. It wouldn't be right for me not to warn folks to think long and hard before they come to Iowa. I'm sure there are nice places, but I haven't found any.

[katychicago]

everything changes - apparently Iowa has too. I've been here for seven years and it's really not a healthy place for raising children. No culture, lots of white collar crime, crooked politicians and cops. No money. No respect for old people.

Sorry it's not the way you remember it.

Originally Posted by missncr

I lived in Iowa for 14 years when I was growing up. There was good times and bad times. Overall I had a great childhood there. I had some really great friends. From what I remember people were very friendly. I moved to Southern California when I was 14 years old. Living in Southern California was the worst experience of my life. Lots and lots of crime. Over-populated. Schools were horrible. And gang members on every street corner. It was a total cultural shock to say the least. I would never raise a family in California. The only good thing about California was the weather. But the smog was and still is horrendous. As for the drug issue I never heard of cocaine until I moved to California. So, to compare the drug issue between California and Iowa is ridiculous. Hands down California is the worst. I don't live in either state anymore. But I will always defend my Iowa. Things definately aren't perfect there but it was a great place to grow up!