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Delilah
qa
Best coffee shops in Des Moines?
Not sure if this has been asked before, but With a population of 212K, Des Moines is a mid-size city. Worth the trade-offs?
39 upvotes
3 Replies
Serenity Turner
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely better than expected and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Riverside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely better than expected and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Riverside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
37 upvotes
Sofia M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Jace S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Diego about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is tough.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Diego about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is tough.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes