Considering Des Moines vs Cleveland — help me decide
Curious what people think. I'm single, late 50s, and With a population of 212K, Des Moines is a mid-size city. Household incomes average around $63,966 in Des Moines. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
33 upvotes
7 Replies
Serenity C.
literally same
40 upvotes
lake_melanie49
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is excellent in most areas.
33 upvotes
Luca M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Xavier Reyes
This.
7 upvotes
Jaxon
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
6 upvotes
Hailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 4 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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