Des Moines vs. Omaha (Ankeny, Coin: real estate, homes, landscaping)

[mfrerkes]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

I really think that judging a city on the local atractions is shallow. ie who has the bigger zoo, arboretum, etc. After all how often do we go visit these things anyway? Once a year at most?? Who cares. I think a better judgement of a city's "worthiness" is how healthy and diverse its economy is.

I think regarding people as monolithic in their opinion of what makes a great city is shallow. Does a person who enjoys wide-open space have to opt for New York City because their art museums are clearly better than what exists in North Dakota? Is a retiree with health issues looking to relocate in a better climate automatically required to consider Sioux Falls because of its booming job market?

If you're not into museums and you're not looking for an easy place to score a job...there are thousands of cities that will suit you just fine. Contrary to what Kiplinger's or Forbes might believe, not everyone is looking for the same thing in life. Thank God for that! I can't imagine everybody in the US trying to squeeze into Omaha.

[dk22]

I find all the arguments here between these two cities both humorous and reminiscent of my teenage days of arguing with my cousin who lives in Des Moines and I lived in Omaha about why Omaha is better than Des Moines. The Cheesecake Factory argument was the best. Those are everywhere down here where I live and I hope we're not measured base upon how many we have. LOL

[zz4guy]

I've heard them crow over Krispy Kreams. Now that is one store I'd be proud NOT to have. Blech...

[RonnieJonez]

I thought Tokyo vs Hong Kong was bad.

[ehenningsen]

Originally Posted by dk22

I find all the arguments here between these two cities both humorous and reminiscent of my teenage days of arguing with my cousin who lives in Des Moines and I lived in Omaha about why Omaha is better than Des Moines. The Cheesecake Factory argument was the best. Those are everywhere down here where I live and I hope we're not measured base upon how many we have. LOL

Cheescake factory wasn't in this market and it now is.. We have many resteraunts that other places in the country would die to have.. Don't be so coy..

[dk22]

Originally Posted by ehenningsen

Cheescake factory wasn't in this market and it now is.. We have many resteraunts that other places in the country would die to have.. Don't be so coy..

I wouldn't mind nice small mom an pop places compared to the big time chains that are popping up everywhere. Tell me you have a Jamba Juice now. That would mean that you're really coming up. I guess I didn't clarify that I'm not really choosing sides here. I don't live in Omaha anymore and haven't seen Omaha in 16 years, but I do know that they have many headquarters of many companies there like Paypal, ConAgra, and lots of telemarketing companies (if you should be proud of such a thing). Hey, the richest man in the world lives in Omaha, doesn't that give Omaha the edge? Des Moines does have Adventure Land and a great indoor botanical garden.

[ehenningsen]

Originally Posted by dk22

I wouldn't mind nice small mom an pop places compared to the big time chains that are popping up everywhere. Tell me you have a Jamba Juice now. That would mean that you're really coming up. I guess I didn't clarify that I'm not really choosing sides here. I don't live in Omaha anymore and haven't seen Omaha in 16 years, but I do know that they have many headquarters of many companies there like Paypal, ConAgra, and lots of telemarketing companies (if you should be proud of such a thing). Hey, the richest man in the world lives in Omaha, doesn't that give Omaha the edge? Des Moines does have Adventure Land and a great indoor botanical garden.

Well, we are getting national chains popping up everywhere, I for one, am not sure if that is a good/bad thing...

I suppose its a good thing, and with that said our local resteraunts are doing very well..

[nephthys]

Omaha! Hands down! More to do, more diversity, more music, more art, more jobs, more people, more tourists, more of everything. But honestly, after living on the westcoast for two years, no one thinks anything about either Omaha or Des Moines (especially). Which is sad we will always have to prove ourselves coming from the midwest. So why be bitter at eachother?

[Tek_Freek]

Are you still pi$$ing and moaning about this? It's been over a year, someone make a decision.

Who cares?

[DSMGuy]

I agree, give it a rest. Both cities have a lot to be proud of with the transformations that have happened over the last 5-10 years.

I was in DTO last month and was VERY impressed. The area around the Qwest is very nice. Looking forward to exploring O again this month.

Once the new baseball stadium is built downtown, Omaha will have an excellent entertainment district near Old Market. You definitely feel it is a vibrant place when you drive around.