Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a teacher here and With a population of 212K, Des Moines is a mid-size city. Household incomes average around $63,966 in Des Moines. Crime rate is something to consider — Des Moines sits at 712.1 per 100K. Poverty rate is 11.1%, which is around average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
21 upvotes
6 Replies
Sofia C.
Came here for retirement and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor recreation is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Carol C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 2 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Stella Collins
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
26 upvotes
Aubrey R.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
26 upvotes
Elijah D.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The cultural scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Carson Gonzalez
I'm a social worker and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
All Countries
