I work in automotive and Homes are going for about $183,700 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,054 for rent here. With a population of 212K, Des Moines is a mid-size city. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cheers. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
10 upvotes
6 Replies
Isaiah
been saying this for years
40 upvotes
Mackenzie Ward
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Zachary R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Piper D.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Tampa it's tough.
9 upvotes
Aaliyah M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 6 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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