Is Sioux City really that bad?? (Des Moines, West Des Moines: live, parking, distance)

[eds003]

I grew up in Sioux City and we lived in a very nice neighborhood not far from Heelan High School. I had a very happy childhood so I take offense to people saying it sucks. Many people have a very nice life there and there are some great spots if you know where to look. Sure, there are more exciting places to live, but Sioux City is a good place to raise a family. Sorry to everyone who is saying it is so horrible - you must not have had enough money to live in a nice neighborhood or do anything fun.

[Shay53]

Originally Posted by fezzador

Whatever city (or cities) he does like, it's surely not in Iowa.

True dat

[alright_alright_alright]

Is Sioux City that bad? I don't live in Sioux City I live a few miles outside of town, but I do work in Sioux City and spend a lot of free time there. When I have conversations with people and we talk about what is wrong with Sioux City. What often comes up is “there is nothing to do here” or “it is boring.” I don't buy either of these arguments I have the belief that only boring people get bored. There are things to do in Sioux City just like any other place in the United States. I also hear people complain about the lack of certain retail establishments. These are the same people who complain about being bored so go figure.


Some of my observations about Sioux City or the greater Siouxland area.
First the total lack of youth culture. When I say youth culture I'm talking 18-30. Back in the day growing up everyone wanted to “get out”. Most people I knew did get out. I got out as well, but I moved back. Maybe people wanting to get out is common everywhere? The whole the grass is always greener aspect.
It is also hard to find people who think outside of the box in this area. Most people are what you would call “guardians of the status quo.”
Some good things about Sioux City: the traffic isn't bad and the crime rate isn't out of control.


I've lived in other parts of the country and I've visited other areas and in other places I feel alive and optimistic about the future and believe tomorrow will be a better day. I do not feel that energy in the Sioux City area. To all those people who will say if you don't like it leave I say this: the only reason I live in this area is to be close to my family.

[maqsews]

I have a job opportunity as a medical professional with a good salary in Sioux City. Is it a decent place for a single male in mid-twenties? What type of cultural activities, entertainment, sports, etc (if any) are available in town? I don't want to have to drive to Sioux Falls or Omaha all the time to find things to do. What about apartments/houses? There are articles on the web about new housing being built downtown (loft style, etc) but I don't see listings for those actually being for rent/sale other then one at Willeges building. Is this redevelopment actually happening?

[Star691]

Originally Posted by maqsews

I have a job opportunity as a medical professional with a good salary in Sioux City. Is it a decent place for a single male in mid-twenties? What type of cultural activities, entertainment, sports, etc (if any) are available in town? I don't want to have to drive to Sioux Falls or Omaha all the time to find things to do. What about apartments/houses? There are articles on the web about new housing being built downtown (loft style, etc) but I don't see listings for those actually being for rent/sale other then one at Willeges building. Is this redevelopment actually happening?

Sioux City is a good place for your criteria. I moved here nearly three years ago and like it. There are many activities year-round here.
There is the "Saturday in the Park" festival (live musical groups) with a fireworks show that happens the first weekend in July- it drew a very large crowd this year. "Awesome Biker Nights" (motorcycle enthusiasts) that occurs for one weekend in June, and the city will be the starting point for "Ragbrai 2015"(bicycle riders statewide event) this weekend.
The new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino hosts many concerts that draws national artists -they had the band REO Speedwagon last night on the outside stage. The large events center also hosts concerts and sports such as ice hockey games. Orpheum Theater (plays, concerts, comedians) and a museum that details the city's history are also located downtown. There is also a minor league baseball team(Sioux City Explorers).
Several buildings downtown have been renovated for apartments- some of the nicer looking ones are near 4th St.
Good luck with your endeavors, and welcome to Sioux City!

[atler8]

Here's a new article that delves into the current rental housing shortage that is occurring in Sioux city.
Among other things, it touches on loft projects that are underway in the downtown Sioux City area.

Sioux City struggles with rental housing crunch

[jmgg]

[atler8]

jmgg
LOL! I thought of you & your prevous Sioux City/I-29 comments when I recently saw some online info about the 10 year plan the IDOT has for reconstructing the I-29 corridor through Sioux City. Sadly, from what I've learned, the work is already well behind schedule & is a years-long project.
I'd post a link I saw with a 2015 story from a Sioux City tv station that gave major details of what's going on there but my office firewall always prevents me from successfully linking anything here.
My brother follows some of your own Sioux Falls news because we have a cousin who retired there from the Twin Cities. He told me about the massive I-29 I-229 rebuilding projects scheduled for Sioux Falls too so it looks as though urban segments of I-29 are inline for a major revamping.
Good luck & grit your teeth when driving!

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by atler8

jmgg
LOL! I thought of you & your prevous Sioux City/I-29 comments when I recently saw some online info about the 10 year plan the IDOT has for reconstructing the I-29 corridor through Sioux City. Sadly, from what I've learned, the work is already well behind schedule & is a years-long project.
I'd post a link I saw with a 2015 story from a Sioux City tv station that gave major details of what's going on there but my office firewall always prevents me from successfully linking anything here.
My brother follows some of your own Sioux Falls news because we have a cousin who retired there from the Twin Cities. He told me about the massive I-29 I-229 rebuilding projects scheduled for Sioux Falls too so it looks as though urban segments of I-29 are inline for a major revamping.
Good luck & grit your teeth when driving!

I recently drove through this mess and it reminded me of this joke a friend of mine e-mailed to me a while back, so I looked back and dug it up.


There's a lot going on here traffic wise in Sioux Falls the next few years. Not only is there an I-229 rebuilding project, but they're planning on continuing the NEW 4-lane Hwy 100 project as well. This highway is eventually going to start at I-90 several miles east of I-229 and envelop the entire city 2-3 miles outside of I-229 eventually turning north over by the town of Tea and connecting again with I-90 approx. 2 miles west of I-29. HUGE project.


Any bets that this will be completed before Sioux City's little 40 year plus, four mile construction project? There will be incentives to the construction companies, like there usually is around here, to complete our projects on time or ahead of schedule. Contrast that to Sioux City dragging it out so they can milk the speed camera revenue. I'm not saying that as a joke. I actually believe this (yea, conspiracy theorist) that it might have something to do with it otherwise this would have been done years ago.

[atler8]

I actually saw that the IDOT was discussing it as a 10 mile project through Sioux City so be aware that there may be still more to it coming up in the future.
By contrast the huge reconstruction project that the IDOT did I-235 through Des Moines & West Des Moines several years ago seemed to have moved at a fast pace. I wonder if there was a higher priority put on that project because of the city it served? I was in Des Moines last month & saw that a huge improvement in that I-235 infrastructure had been accomplished. Good thing too as the traffic volume has skyrocketed since I lived up there.