How Do You Like Living In Iowa? (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids: real estate, property taxes)

[wearynomad]

I don't know if you're still considering Iowa, but CactusSam sums it up pretty well. If you you're still seeking to move to the Midwest, consider Minneapolis or Chicago. Yes, it's get's cold in those cities, but you will never be bored or feel unwelcome.

[Lbar]

Originally Posted by Guttdogg

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

That's actually the first place I lived in Iowa. My mom is from there. AND we visit there quite often. But right now, I'm in Buena Vista County and lovin it. I wouldn't mind living around here, or any Dutch city in Iowa.

[rr_werges]

I've lived in Iowa all my life, and I have no idea how Cactus Sam came up with these statements. As an Iowan, and as an honest human being, I feel compelled to respond to these allegations, piece by piece.

To begin, to identify the entire state of Iowa as "...backwards, dirty, moldy, and decrepit," is a huge misnomer. I'll admit that some of the people here are "backwards", but not in the way that Cactus Sam is implying. They're backwards in that they retain values from long ago, values that their parents and grandparents held as well. Values like taking pride in your work, caring deeply for and supporting your family and friends, and living life simply and affordably.

As far as dirty and moldy go, it depends where you are. I've been to a lot of dirty farmhouses and moldy cellars, but I wouldn't call those indicative of the cleanliness of an entire state. I was at a filthy truckstop in Kentucky once (part of a class trip, otherwise I would've avoided it), but I don't call Kentucky filthy now.

Sure, there are abandoned barns and silos here and there, but I wouldn't call them decrepit. In a positive state of mind, they add rustic ambience to Iowa. And if they really bother you, live in a city. Yes, there are cities in Iowa.

Now when Cactus Sam states that "...the people [of Iowa] HATE outsiders..." and that if you aren't tied to a family deeply rooted in Iowa "...you will never be accepted...", I chuckle. Why then would I, an Iowan born and raised in a small town, have close friends who moved here from Texas, Wisconsin and Illinois? And even from Australia, Germany and Mexico? These "outsiders" were welcomed with open arms, not just by me, but by the vast majority of my community. Oh, and the few people who don't welcome outsiders tend to be the elderly...but even then, they're nearly always polite (if only a little curt).

Here's another point of contention. Cactus Sam claims that the "...stink of hog lots and ethanol plants..." are something you should genuinely worry about. If you're in a small town, the nearest farm is at least a few miles out of town. Only with the wind blowing powerfully in just the right direction will you smell pigs, and even then, it won't ruin your day. If even the tiniest chance of smelling a pig abhors you, I once again advise you to live in a city. Yes, there really are cities in Iowa.

Now here's the part that really struck me as strange. The "lack of laws". Where exactly in Iowa did you encounter a complete abolishment of the law? Or maybe you just figured there were no laws because you never saw anyone get arrested here? You see, that's not because of an abscence of law, it's because of a scarcity of crime.

After that odd contention, Cactus Sam uses a staple of stand-up comedians by identifying Iowans as "ignorant". Last I heard, ignorance was a global problem, not something centered in Iowa. You'll find clueless morons no matter where you live, but at least in Iowa they're mostly friendly.

And inbreeding? It could happen, if you aren't careful (I personally know a couple of people who dated in high school only to find out that they were very distant cousins). Families have such deep roots here that quite a lot of people in small towns find that they're related. The solution? Date someone from out of town.

"[R]udeness, moldy restaurants, and dirty stores..." are a few more unfounded attributes of Iowa cast on us by Cactus Sam. Rudeness I think I've already covered; people in Iowa are, generally speaking, amiable and polite. As for moldy restaurants and dirty stores, I have yet to see either. I personally work as a cook in a small town restaurant, and can testify that it's kept very clean.

Next up are "...run down houses in the dead and dying small towns". Now, listen here. I live in a small town. I grew up in a small town. I raise my kids in a small town. The only people that truly believe small towns are dead are the ones who are just driving through. Sure, some houses are run down...but that's because (for some strange reason) Iowans tend to value basic necessities like food and water more than a perfectly trimmed shrub in their front lawn, or an exorbitant new swimming pool. Not everyone here is rich, and they don't pretend to be.

...continued

[rr_werges]

Meth labs? I'll admit it, they exist. Then again, where won't you find meth labs? Drugs, like ignorance, are a nationwide and global problem. I'm not going to bother doing the research, but I'd be willing to bet that the rates of drug use in Iowa are well under the national average.

"We have NOTHING good to say about Iowa..." Cactus Sam says. Hmm...that's good to know. I'm not sure Iowans want compliments from someone with such a skewed view of reality. Nice job putting "nothing" in all caps, too. I have a much richer understanding of the word now.

Cactus Sam attempts to trivialize all responses to his/her wild comments by stating: "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."
First of all, I'm not a Christian (although I'm still non-judgemental), so don't make that sweeping generalization about me. Secondly, to say that disagreeing with your statements makes them valid is a childish way of avoiding counterargument. Finally, please stop typing things in all caps to provide emphasis (especially moronic Internet shortcuts that usually serve to illustrate the inarticulacy of their users).

Despite your skewed perceptions and poor use of the written word, Cactus Sam, I still congratulate you on your newfound happiness, nice neighbors, and progressively valuable house. I hope you're very successful in whatever you do, and you're welcome back to Iowa anytime.

[MELLON]

I have lived in Iowa for the last 18 years. I went to the University of Iowa and have raised my family in the Iowa City area. It is an awesome place to live. The University gives you plenty of things to do if you choose to. Schools are beyond compare - excellent! Cost if living is moderate. I would never hesitate to come back to Iowa if I left. I would encourage you to try it - I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

As far as the recommendaiton to go to Minneapolis or Chicago, that is great if you want the impersonality of a big city. Iowa is much more welcoming and friendly that anywhere I have been.

Good luck to you.

[fah7591]

I am a native of southern California, lived there the first 36 years of my life and then moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Yes, the winters are cold but I love the change of seasons and can bear the sometimes cold winters. People in Iowa are very friendly and down to earth. Yes, the natives can be a little guarded and set in their ways but it doesn't take long to break that shell.

Iowa has been a wonderful place to raise our children and now that I am nearing retirement age in a few years, I do think of moving somewhere warmer or perhaps just leave Iowa for a 2-3 months in the winter and then come back. You can't beat the cost of living here, and the state is beautiful. The larger "cities" are growing fast and as far as I am concern there is sufficient shopping in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. If I really want to shop, Chicago is only a 3-4 hour drive away for a "weekend get away to the BIG city."

[HKB]

My wife is from a small town in NE Iowa. All of her family still lives there, so we go back to visit every 4-6 weeks. Before we got engaged a few years ago, we discussed where we would live. Although we both like Iowa a lot, we decided to stay in Minnesota (Twin Cities).

Mostly it came down to job opportunities. She works in a profession (health care) where it would have been relatively easy to find a job in Iowa, but the pay would have been about half of what she makes here. With what I do, I would have struggled just to find employment.

I also think I would have been bored out of my mind living in Iowa. There just isn't enough to do there. I grew up with hockey, and in Minnesota hockey is in the culture... from youth all the way up to the pros. In Iowa, nobody plays it or even knows what it's all about. Sure, there are a few minor league leams, but there are few, if any, youth programs at all. Iowa seems obsessed with football and basketball... two sports I hate.

I really like visiting Iowa, and I don't think it's a bad place by any means. The people are wonderful and the scenery can be very beautiful (especially in the summer). It just doesn't offer enough for me personally or professionally.

[vergla]

we lived in iowa all my life and the same for my husband . like HKB has said iowa is nice in the summer but there isnt anything really to do here its the same thing hkb my husband and i have family in iowa but we have family all over iowa .My husband and i are considering on moving out of this state . i have seen differnt web sights in other states have more to do. we will come back to see family but we wont move back here

[stepanfrog]

okay Cactus Sam
First of all, all states have old houses and small towns. Mold is also not a organism unique to Iowa. You need to do your research better. Meth labs are diminishing in Iowa. In fact the meth using capital in the world lies in California.
I have lived in several states including Iowa and have found that many of the kindest and noblest people are there. Perhaps you found them to be rude because people will treat you as you have treated them. In response to your "non-judgemental" Christian remark.....you sure are judgemental yourself. Where you live is what you make of it whether it is small town Iowa or desert California. Only boring people can't find much to do.
PS try living a day without the influence of ethanol or pigs for that matter

[gypsy77]

I lived in Burlington, Iowa for 1 year, and it was the worst year of my life. Boring, LOW paying jobs (if you're lucky enough to even get a job) and to go anywhere with life, takes a half day drive, most of the time, in horrible weather. The people seemed "nice" at first, until they got on the subject of anything they didn't agree with. Being gay is a sin, living together before marriage is a sin, inter-racial relationships are a sin, etc.. I'm originally from CA and now live in AZ. Iowa City is ok, if you've never been anywhere else. I think it's the best town in Iowa to visit if you want to shop or go out to a nice dinner. But all in all, it was like stepping back in time. I know everyone talks about how great the schools are and how it's a safe place to raise children. The teenagers I knew there were so bored they just turned to drugs and alcohol because there was nowhere fun to go and nothing else to do. I'm not sure if I would raise my kids in a place where the whole church turns around and gives dirty looks to the new black family in town that walks through the door. Where I come from, that kind of behavior is unacceptable. It seems the people who are from there are treated much better that outsiders like me. If you ever do move to Iowa, never tell anyone you are from California. They sure don't like the C word around those parts. They assume everyone from CA is either a Baywatch babe, a movie star, gay, or just shallow and conceited. I am none of those. But I was treated as if I was. I've never met a group of more close-minded, hypocritical people in all my life. The West Coast states are very expensive and yes, the schools might not score as high as other places, but let me tell you, at least you can be yourself, and not be judged and shunned because the people in your town don't "approve." I will NEVER move back there, not even if someone gave me a free mansion to live in. Once you step foot outside of your big "affordable" house, you realize, you're still in Iowa. No thanks. That kind of place is not for me.