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

[metro223]

^^^^^^

[SharpHawkeye]

Originally Posted by metro223

What? Before you say I asked her to stop posting here, go read what she wrote, and I'm not the only one who responded like this.

Her opposing point of vews haven't been healthy and good, they were rude and obnoxious... no state/forum puts up with that crap, why would you think only Iowa has that rep?

I did read what she said, and she claims that she was asked not to post here anymore.

I don't like what she has to say any more than the next guy, but I think she has the right to say it. Like I said, I don't know exactly what the heck went on between you two, or her and anyone else. I'm just saying, she has just as much right to post here as anyone else. Besides, we're not the only state forum with a few "haters" and I don't think we have a bad "rep". Opposing points of view are good--although I'd prefer them in the form of UWBadgers to katychicago--I think we should let her have her say.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by metro223

^^^^^^

+1 Way to come through big, Steve. "You must spread more rep around before giving it to Steve W again"

[Steve_W]

Originally Posted by El Rhino

+1 Way to come through big, Steve. "You must spread more rep around before giving it to Steve W again"

Well thanks! Intended Rep is as good as any...Thanks to you as well, Metro.

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by 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

Wow, just came across this post as I was reading through random ones from the past few months.

How bizarre! I lived in Iowa for 22 years, and have lived numerous other places, now in Chicago. Honestly, I would have to say my opinions of Iowa are probably 100% the polar opposite of everything you stated in your post. I'm not even really stretching my imagination, I just wouldn't agree with any of that. Not saying you're wrong, but I'm very curious what crazy twilight zone place in Iowa you're living. Every year that goes by since I've last lived in Iowa, I realize what an open, happy, crime free, honest, laid back and fun place the state was to live. I go back maybe 6 times a year, and each time I realize how awesome the people of Iowa have it as far as a good quality of life, and decent honest people. When I moved away 7 years ago, I was very annoyed when I was forced to go back and visit family, but as time passed/passes, I've grown up and realized how truely good it is...



Also, what's with these random posts about outsiders not being welcome in places like Des Moines and Iowa City just because they're not from the state??? Do people realize that 1/3 of Iowa City is from Chicagoland, and is just in Iowa City to go to school there. I went to U of Iowa, and many times I felt like quite an outsider because I was raised in Iowa and not Naperville.


I'm most familiar with the Des Moines / Cedar Rapids / Iowa City areas. 178,000 new people have moved into those metros since 1990. It can't be THAT bad

[metro223]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

Also, what's with these random posts about outsiders not being welcome in places like Des Moines and Iowa City just because they're not from the state??? Do people realize that 1/3 of Iowa City is from Chicagoland, and is just in Iowa City to go to school there. I went to U of Iowa, and many times I felt like quite an outsider because I was raised in Iowa and not Naperville.


I'm most familiar with the Des Moines / Cedar Rapids / Iowa City areas. 178,000 new people have moved into those metros since 1990. It can't be THAT bad

good point chi!

[Stevie]

Gypsy77, do you think that maybe the problem was just Burlington and not Iowa in general? I don't mean to generalize Burlington but it has been in an economic struggle for quite awhile. Maybe the people you had bad experiences with there hadn't met enough outsiders because they were used to people "moving out" rather than "moving in"? When you said you liked Iowa City, that to me only reinforced the point that you shouldn't generalize an entire state because (obviously) not EVERYONE in that state is going to have the same attitude/mentality that you experienced in Burlington.

As for this being a forum where people can express opinions, you are correct. But you also have to understand that people may want to object your opinion as well. It doesn't always mean they're being defensive. Actually, when you think about it, it is really just another part of free speech. They are expressing their opinion about how they disagree with your opinion. I believe people have just as much a right to object other people's opinions as they do to post their opinions in the first place. Freedom of speech doesn't just work one way.

Also, it is not polite to say that it's typical of Iowans to get defensive when you say something negative. Really, that's only going to stir up trouble.

[metro223]

This seems ironic, and someone correct me if I'm wrong: But aren't Burlington and Otummwa in the same type of situation with basically the same type of people? (not saying there are no good people there) .... no wonder you guys agree so much and think the state sucks!

[luvsafeadventures]

As someone who has lived in Iowa most of my life (but have lived in California and Georgia), I just want to say that a lot of comments made negative and positive all depend on where you are at in the stage of your life, what town you moved from and what town in Iowa you moved to. Our education system, overall, is very good. I have raised two children here and they are well ahead of children in their learning compared to other states. As for the friendliness, Iowa is very "friendly" and it is true that if you are a new comer you have to work a little harder at meeting people and fitting in. Iowans do not out cast people, it's just that it is the norm for them to be with the people they know. We like our comfort zones. Our town loves new comers but our town is also "clickish". Even as someone who has lived her for a long time, I don't always feel that I "fit" in. Unfortunately, I think that can happen in more places than just Iowa so let's be fair and intelligent in how we analyze this. If you want diversity then Iowa City or Des Moines is probably the best cities to be in. As for the weather, I dislike it, a lot! However, we don't have the bug and snake problems that warmer climates have so I guess you have to decide what you want to deal with. As for taxes, like anywhere, you have to pay for services so if taxes are a concern for you then you need to live in an area with less services and be willing to travel to another city to get the service you need. Sorry folks, there just isn't a perfect place to live. As for jobs, educated vs. uneducated there is some truth to that. We do have a lot more low paying jobs than we do professional but then that depends on what you do. The insurance and medical professions offer bounds of opportunities. Mid level professional jobs are a little more scarce. However, as I have been doing a lot of research on this topic because we are considering moving somewhere warmer, I have noticed that this is a problem every where. Take a visit to salary.com and do your own comparison. There is a huge # of cities that pay less than the Des Moines area but have a higher cost of living. So to all of you out there thinking of moving, no matter where to and from, do your home work, visit the area first and then decide what you are willing to put up with and what you are not. Meth labs, well yes they are a problem but we have never seen one or know anyone else who has. We raised our children fine and their friends were all okay so again, like all other crimes, stay away from the problem and it will not be a problem to you! I think icy roads are more hazardous to the general public than meth labs are. By the way, we do have organic products here, but it is more expensive to buy and the health care here is very good, we have a lot of highly qualified and friendly doctors/nurses.

[Stevie]

Originally Posted by metro223

This seems ironic, and someone correct me if I'm wrong: But aren't Burlington and Otummwa in the same type of situation with basically the same type of people? (not saying there are no good people there) .... no wonder you guys agree so much and think the state sucks!

Good point. Both towns seem to have an economic struggle (although I think that Burlington might be in worse shape than Ottumwa). Maybe if gypsy77 and katychicago had lived in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City or some other nicer part of Iowa then they wouldn't have had as many negative experiences. Most of the things I've heard about Burlington and Ottumwa are negative anyway, with the exception of natural scenery.