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Old 05-29-2008, 02:35 PM
 
Location: Des Moines
586 posts, read 2,184,774 times
Reputation: 385

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If she's basing all of Iowa off of her experiences in stodgy, economically depressed SE Iowa, I'm here to say that there is another side of Iowa that is far, far different from what's she's experienced.

I had to "do time" in Fort Dodge for nearly three years after college, which is a lot like SE Iowa minus the cowboy hats. I hated the place with a passion, but I found out that rural Iowa is not for me. I'm much happier being back in Des Moines. Perhaps people that gave rural living a shot in Iowa and didn't like it would've had a different viewpoint if they lived in one of Iowa's larger cities.
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Old 05-29-2008, 05:45 PM
 
14 posts, read 44,153 times
Reputation: 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by gypsy77 View Post
Depends where in CA you live. Yes, cost of living in general is probably more here, but some of the jobs also pay a lot more. I was looking for Accounting jobs in Iowa and they were offering around $8 - $10/hr. Here in CA, that SAME job title pays between $15 - $20. So it all evens out I think. My rent is more here, but I also get paid quite a bit more. I was not "rich" in Iowa because it was so cheap to live. Quite the contrary, I was broke for some reason. Probably because our salaries were so low. Anyway, of course the simple things in life can make you happy, but sometimes, constant boredom can change a person. It did to me. I agree with the person who started this post. I was also very depressed when I lived there. I'm just trying to let her know she is not alone. And to Cactus Sam, I knew you would turn up on this thread! LOL!
I agree having lived in both places that you do get paid more in CA because it does cost more for housing there. It's simple economics of supply and demand. My parents paid 45K for their house 30 years ago and is now worth 875K even during these uncertain times. The average salary were I came from outside of Sacramento is $100K/yr, but it washes out because the houses are so much more. The one thing that seems to be just as expensive in Iowa as CA is the food. The citrus is incredibly more expensive here which stands to reason since you can't grow it in Iowa. Our propane and electric here in Iowa is cheaper, but averages out somewhat because you need to constantly run the heater in the winter and air in summer. In CA I hardly used the heater and would run the air from 3-6pm in the summer. Just like Iowa there are parts of CA that are more affordable. Keep in mind that CA is much larger than Iowa and the most populated state in the USA. My parents live in Santa Clara which has more people than the entire state of Iowa. The one thing that's great about Iowa is getting things repaired is much cheaper. The people here are hardworking and tough. They work hard and party hard. I guess I'm not as tough as I thought I was upon moving here. I'm a worry wort and these tornado's scare the heck out of me...
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Old 05-29-2008, 08:00 PM
 
14 posts, read 44,153 times
Reputation: 12
I agree having lived in both places that you do get paid more in CA because it does cost more for housing there. It's simple economics of supply and demand. My parents paid 45K for their house 30 years ago and is now worth 875K even during these uncertain times. The average salary were I came from outside of Sacramento is $100K/yr, but it washes out because the houses are so much more. The one thing that seems to be just as expensive in Iowa as CA is the food. The citrus is incredibly more expensive here which stands to reason since you can't grow it in Iowa. Our propane and electric here in Iowa is cheaper, but averages out somewhat because you need to constantly run the heater in the winter and air in summer. In CA I hardly used the heater and would run the air from 3-6pm in the summer. Just like Iowa there are parts of CA that are more affordable. Keep in mind that CA is much larger than Iowa and the most populated state in the USA. My parents live in Santa Clara which has more people than the entire state of Iowa. The one thing that's great about Iowa is getting things repaired is much cheaper. The people here are hardworking and tough. They work hard and party hard. I guess I'm not as tough as I thought I was upon moving here. I'm a worry wort and these tornado's scare the heck out of me...
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Old 05-30-2008, 08:00 AM
 
25 posts, read 94,324 times
Reputation: 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMRyan View Post
If she's basing all of Iowa off of her experiences in stodgy, economically depressed SE Iowa, I'm here to say that there is another side of Iowa that is far, far different from what's she's experienced.
I completely agree. Please do not allow yourself to make the mistake of stereotyping an entire state based on your opinion of one small piece of it. While I am for the most part very happy with where I live in Iowa, that doesn't mean I would necessarily want to relocate to a more rural part of the state; I sure there are a number of folks who agree in the opposite manner. It's sort of like basing all of San Francisco off of the Mission District, or all of California for that matter off of the San Pornando Valley - it just doesn't hold true. Is there any chance you could compromise with your SO? There are other parts of the state that might still retain that "Iowa charm" but might offer the ammenities to make you "feel more alive".

Maybe it would be more helpful if you told us specifically what it is that you miss and what you think might fill the void. No doubt the posters here could fill you in on a number of things and places in the state that might help you feel more at home.

But, if it's simply the weather that you miss, I'm not sure we can help - sorry - we all feel your pain. Also, if it's any consolation I too feel the landlocked blues, though based on my professional setup here in Iowa I make it to the ocean to play more than my friends in Southern California and Florida.

Best of luck to you.
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Old 05-30-2008, 05:04 PM
 
3 posts, read 9,628 times
Reputation: 10
For those wives on here complaining about moving to Iowa cause of their husbands' jobs... sometimes you have to go where the work is to be able to make the money you are used to.

I'm looking at taking a job in Davenport. I love Colorado where I live now but there is no work here. If I have to go to Iowa to work, I will. And I'll make the best of it. And my girlfriend is willing to follow even though it won't be our home here but it will become our home.

When I have a good attitude, the sun is always shining.


Now let's just hope I'm still saying that after I move there...
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Old 05-31-2008, 12:11 PM
 
49 posts, read 181,383 times
Reputation: 15
lol @ fenix, "San Pornando"

the rest i think he/she's right on target; and SiriusGD, u'r right, too: ATTITUDE is everything.

Please don't start sniveling, minnimouse, or we won't like you at all---and not because we're IOWANS,,,,,because we're PEOPLE.
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Old 05-31-2008, 10:08 PM
 
49 posts, read 196,153 times
Reputation: 23
Hang in there, the warmer weather is on the way! Last year we were having 80's by April. Like others have said, this year has been unusally cold and wet.
Keep trying to meet new people. Do you have a hobby or interest that you could join a club to meet new people? Don't wait for your neighbors to come by, get out there and meet them. How about gardening? Sharing free food with the neighbors is a great way to bond with them! Good luck with your transplant to Iowa.
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Old 05-31-2008, 10:25 PM
 
Location: Mesa, Az
21,144 posts, read 42,124,664 times
Reputation: 3861
Iowa and Minnesota:

People either love or hate those two states--------there does not appear to be a middle ground.

Home is where the heart is
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Old 06-01-2008, 09:45 AM
 
Location: Winterset, IA
25 posts, read 118,061 times
Reputation: 33
I have lived in big cities moved out of IA and came back a few years ago. I am now living in a town of about 6-8000, and soon will be moving to a more rural area of about 200.

I will be at least 10 miles from my nearest gas station. I will be about 40-45 minutes to Des Moines, about 17 miles from my nearest Walmart.

You make your life what it is. It is pretty sad that the country as a whole has gotten so used to having shopping, fast food and entertainment provided for them. Now I am not saying that those things are all bad but what happened to entertaining yourself.

As a woman I find cooking, baking & quilting very rewarding and fills many days. I enjoy the simpler lifestyle and I feel sorry for the generation of kids who don't know how to make their own entertainment and learn how to make themselves happy without all the frills of the city.

Going out for walks, camping, just driving along the back country roads can be a very rewarding experience and there is so much of that to do in IA.
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