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

[diver9]

Personally? I hate this state. Moving to Dubuque was one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made. I've been here going on 5 years now, and still haven't been accepted. One of the things I've noticed is that in the first ten minutes of most conversations with "new" people is that they ask which high school did I go to? When I mention I moved here several years ago from out of state, I can almost "see" the wall that comes crashing down between myself and the other person. Dubuque is an incredibly picturesque river town, and it's a great place to visit, but I regret moving here, and I can't wait to get out. I've expressed my feelings to some coworkers and other folks that I know have also moved here from out of state and they almost always have the same things to say about this part of the state. I have never met anyone that's a harder worker than some of the farm folk here, and they're all good hearty people, but they don't willingly accept anyone from outside of their close knit communities. Too close minded for my liking, and again, I'm out of here as soon as I can be.

[Periwinkle04]

You know, Diver, when I left northeast Iowa (Manchester) 28 years ago (and before I moved all over the country) I would have accepted what you say at face value, however...

A LOT of places I've lived they ask what high school you went to - first thing out of their mouth. I've lived all over and most recently in Akron and Cincinnati, and not only is it the first thing people ask, but I've started asking them, too. I suppose I ask either because it's just what you do around here or that it gives me a point of reference and a search for common ground - most likely why they do it in Dubuque, too.

A lot of people try to tell me that Cincinnati is a closed-minded place, just like you say about Dubuque. I've been here two years and just like anywhere else I've lived, there's good people (and bad!) anywhere. In all my moves I struggled the most when I fought the culture in place, and I've learned to go with the flow wherever we live and enjoy it for what it is.

I'm not saying Dubuque doesn't have a smaller city mentality, because it does. I guarantee you Iowa City is not like Dubuque, culturally or socially. But there are probably other issues than just falling back on "it's the kind of people or the parochial atmosphere of the place."

And even the small towns have turnover. When I'm back in Manchester visiting old friends, there's a lot of new surnames floating around and they're very active in town and seem accepted just fine. They fit in.

[ehenningsen]

Interesting how most people love it here, but a few are so miserable that they are losing their religeon on this very board!

[kinnicksouth]

Iowa is a great state. Yes the weather can be a little weird but where is it not? I was born and raised in Iowa and it was great. It's a good place to raise a family, good schools and low crime. I now live in Mississippi and want to move back. Talk about a place where you are not accepted... move south. Sure the people are very nice and such but they are more concerned about what church you go too. I have had a really really hard time trying to get a job down here. If you aren't a "good ole boy" than it's no thanks. Healthcare, education and poverty are major factors down here. Sure I am used to a simple "everyone is like everyone else" society but I have never felt so out of place in the south. Des Moines is a great city. Many many things to do there. I would not want to raise a family anywhere else.

[Roy G. Biv]

I know exactly what you mean about Mississippi. That is one messed up state.

[serate]

Originally Posted by kinnicksouth

Iowa is a great state. Yes the weather can be a little weird but where is it not? I was born and raised in Iowa and it was great. It's a good place to raise a family, good schools and low crime. I now live in Mississippi and want to move back. Talk about a place where you are not accepted... move south. Sure the people are very nice and such but they are more concerned about what church you go too. I have had a really really hard time trying to get a job down here. If you aren't a "good ole boy" than it's no thanks. Healthcare, education and poverty are major factors down here. Sure I am used to a simple "everyone is like everyone else" society but I have never felt so out of place in the south. Des Moines is a great city. Many many things to do there. I would not want to raise a family anywhere else.

Hmmm my husband just has been offered a transfer to Mississippi. While we believe in God, we are NOT church goers. Guess we shouldn't accept the transfer?

[serate]

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

KKK activities? In or around Ottumwa Iowa? OMG I need help getting off the floor I'm laughing so hard. Not saying there isn't prejudice there but get real there is prejudice EVERYWHERE.

[ehenningsen]

city-data sure has a lot of posters with issues...

With that said, Iowa is a great state to live in.. I have nothing bad to say about Iowa and find it pretty astonishing that people are this dramatic...

[Northern Traveler]

Originally Posted by ehenningsen

city-data sure has a lot of posters with issues...

With that said, Iowa is a great state to live in.. I have nothing bad to say about Iowa and find it pretty astonishing that people are this dramatic...

Eh, it's an online blog you'll find all types. It's like a trip to Wal-Mart.

[jasperhobbs]

Iowa is what it is and not for everyone. Like any state, there are pros and cons. Fortunately we live in a country with a lot of opportunities and freedom to move wherever we want.

Jasper