Pros and cons of living in Iowa (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids: crime rate, schools)

[stlouisan]

I'm potentially looking at several years down the road relocating to another state in the Midwest besides the one I currently reside in, and was wondering what the pros and cons were of living in Iowa, whether in the cities or in the country. I am looking at potentially obtaining my CPA license in the next few years and wanted to know what would best serve me...working in a place like Cedar RApids or Des Moines, or in cities cities like Ames or Mason City. Thanks. I've heard Iowa is a much richer state than Missouri and also more politically balanced out...being from St. Louis, I tend to lean more to the left, whereas the rest of Missouri tends to lean more to the right. Thanks again.

[springfieldcollegealum]

Eastern Iowa is much more liberal than western Iowa, although I am imagining Des Moines might be better to find work than the other cities you mentioned for a CPA.

[GraniteStater]

Des Moines is a good place to begin and offers quite a number of companies that hire CPAs.

[refried sushi]

If you look at the state's political leanings by county, you will find a pretty balanced gradient of blue in the east to red in the west. Adjust a little for bluer cities and redder rural areas. This might be the best geographic diagram of a swing state in the nation.

Missouri reflects a far bigger urban / rural divide.

[capitalcityguy]

In the grand scheme of things, I"m not sure you're in for a big change moving from Missouri to Iowa (or visa versa).

Leaving St Louis - you're leaving behind being located where pro sports is big. That seems to mean a lot to some, not at all to others. Iowa is much more into major college sports as we are one of the smallest states to have two BCS schools. Our pro sports are limited to minor/lower leauges and Arena football.

The number of opportunities for jobs would differentate locating in Mason City vs Des Moines (using your examples). I lived in Mason City for several years and it was fine. More job opportunities brought me to Des Moines.

[svogel7]

Iowa is a very rural state... Anywhere that isn't a city is pretty much one huge cornfield. Also there isn't much diversity here, winters are very cold, and if you're considering Cedar Rapids be aware of the crime rate there, seems to get worse and worse.

Des Moines is an okay city, nothing too special about it. If you lean more to the left, I would recommend Iowa City.

[sequoias]

Iowa City is a very liberal city which does remind me of small Seattle. It's so alive and thriving unlike many Iowa towns/cities are dead in the city core. Yea, I lived in Washington state for too long.

Cedar Rapids reminds me of Spokane, WA due to the similar geography and the skyline. It's more of a blue collar working class city. I'm pretty sure many commute to Iowa City for work due that Cedar Rapids is cheaper to live overall than Iowa City area.

Don't bother with Mason City...kinda dead there. Ames is a college town like Iowa City but has a different personality.

Also, Iowa is a very rural state compared to other states but not as rural as the Dakotas, Wyoming or Montana. The biggest metro area is Des Moines with nearly 600k in the metro area.

[Meemur]

I am looking at potentially obtaining my CPA license

Another thing you could do is check the pass rates for the CPA exam, both from your school in general and in Iowa.