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

[Chief_Wiineshiek]

Wow Cactus Sam must have come to Iowa with a serious chip on his shoulder.

I came from the "socially conscious" state of Minnesota and do find people in Iowa conservative but have never been preached to or at.

My family has been treated well by most everyone we have come in contact with. I have questioned that some of the real small towns may have had inbreeding going on but no more so than many deep rural areas accross the country.

Believe it or not we have running water, flush toilets, cable TV and Satellite. Most restaurants have pretty clean bathrooms and I have yet to see a dirty store.

If you want meth I am sure you can get it - like anything else - but in Northeast Iowa Meth production is not pervasive. Most meth here is imported.

Yes there are plenty of dying old/small towns but there are many that are thriving. In the Northeast corner of the state we have access to great medical services in Rochester, MN. (Mayo) and LaCrosse, WI. (Gunderson) as well as great shopping and plenty of cultural opportunities.

With the reasonable cost of living many from out of state overpay for homes and stand to lose money on sales within a few years. Our home has nearly doubled in value in the 13 years we've lived in it.

The worst thing I have found in Iowa is that the water is very hard. You need a good water softener.

[Poolman]

I was born and raised in Iowa. I moved to the south 2 1/2 years ago and we are moving back. We miss the midwest people, the safeness, and the schools are rated 3rd in the United States. Des Moines is very diverse and has a lot of things to do. They are expanding and doing a lot to make it cultural. I would recommend Des Moines to anyone!

[Tek_Freek]

Poolman, May I ask where you lived in the south?

[Packerman]

I don't think the mosquitos are as bad as Minnesota. We are moving back to Iowa from the south. We miss it a lot. The people are friendlly, the seasons are beautiful. It doesn't get as much a snow as it use to but yes it can get cold and snowy but usually for about 3 months. The Des Moines area has a lot of culture and they have renovated the downtown. The schools are rated 3rd in the nation. I would recommend it.

[Packerman]

We moved to Florida 2 1/2 years ago but are moving back.

[Lbar]

Im in NW Iowa. It's pretty boring. Pretty in some spots. Flat in others. I was born in Albuquerque, NM, but moved when I was pretty young. If I were to move back to Iowa, I would definately live towards the NE part. Or Pella. Its very nice in parts over here. However, I live in the most diverse county (percentage wise) and my impression of the people is somewhat opposite of ol' Cactus Sam's. When we first moved here, the people were VERY clique, even if you have an Iowa connection. It wasn't until we started attending a church in our town, that we met some great people. Also, when we started getting immigration, people had mixed feelings. Most are from Latin America and SE Asia. Some were racist, some embraced them. But now, 10 years later, most people in my 10-20 mile vicinity are generally accepting towards newcomers. Some of course, are still ignorant and racist. Thanks to all the immigration, we are some of the more cultured people in Iowa. Cultural markets and restraunts here are very good. We also have a good West Coast connection around here, due to the fact that a lot of the people come from California. Plus Sioux City is only an hour away, Sioux Falls is 2.5 away and Omaha and Des Moines is three.

Thats what Iowa is like for me anyways..

[Guttdogg]

from the sounds of your post, you must live in Sioux County...

[Jackie schnippel]

We moved back from Iowa to California. Big mistake. My 10 year old son was so happy there but my husband had a hard time getting a job. We made the mistake of moving there in November instead of the spring. We are re-considering our move. I worked at my son's school as a sub.

[sedgemouse]

I live in the QC area and really like it. Moved from southern NJ. Winters can be very cold if you aren't used to winter but they sell very warm winter clothing starting in August so it's not really a problem; just make sure you take your vehicles in to be "winterized."

Anywhere you live there's stuff to do, if you are into those options. The QC has a triple (maybe double) A baseball team -the Swing. They aren't a great team but they play in one of the best stadiums around (even by pro standards) and tickets are cheap. There's a new art museum and a music history museum that also brings in live acts from around the country; there's always a festival of some type during the spring and summer and we have two major music festivals Bluesfest where big acts come to play and a smaller but growing Riverfest which also has a blues flair to it.

Shoppings OK; traffic's not a problem compared to most urban areas and crime is anywhere you live in the country. There are neighborhoods in the the QC that are better than others but overall the cities are pretty "clean" and are getting better.

Taxes in IA are higher than IL; school system overall is better as well as a result. Larger cities like Chicago, and Des Moines are about 4 hours away; which can be both a + and a - but the cost of living where I am at can't be beat.

Lots of outdoor rec opportunities as well.

[keensta]

I'm just curious as to where in Iowa you lived. I'll agree with you in the smaller towns that people aren't "friendly", they are are "courteous" and yeah in some parts of the state they never quite warm up to "outsiders". I am sorry you had such a miserable time in Iowa, but we aren't all horrible people as your post implies.