Dylan moving Nov 19, 2025

Anyone else feel this way? Been living here since 2024. Poverty rate is 5.2%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $263,800 on average. With a population of 66,112, Ames is a smaller city. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good.

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