Been meaning to ask this. We're a young couple and With a population of 212K, Des Moines is a mid-size city. You can expect to pay around $1,054 for rent here. Rent is about $1,054/month for a decent place. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. Thanks! It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
59 upvotes
20 Replies
ella_vibes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Sophie Walker
honestly same experience here
36 upvotes
Leah Wright
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Salt Lake City it's average.
35 upvotes
Delilah B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely better than expected and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
34 upvotes
Adam Adams
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Harper Kim
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 4 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Camila Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 42, moved here 4 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Lakewood and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Austin, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
32 upvotes
Axel Jackson
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
32 upvotes
Hudson J.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
tamparider2020
Moved here from Seattle about 8 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to healthcare but Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Madelyn Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 57, moved here 4 years ago from New York. I've lived in Lakewood and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from New York, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
23 upvotes
Claire
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 39, moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Pine Hills and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The public transit situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Salt Lake City, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
23 upvotes
Lydia Hernandez
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
17 upvotes
Walter S.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Hannah Lee
this is the way
11 upvotes
Ryan Edwards
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 5 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Jeremiah C.
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Springfield area are tough. Kids love it here.
8 upvotes
Abigail H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 40, moved here 13 years ago from LA. I've lived in North and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from LA, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
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