Thinking about relocating to Des Moines from Chicago
My family moved here when I was a kid. Average temperature is around 53°F, so expect cold winters. Poverty rate is 11.1%, which is around average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Am I wrong here? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
33 upvotes
20 Replies
Jordan
Moved here from Charlotte about 2 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to weather but Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Michael Rivera
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Tampa it's solid.
26 upvotes
Paisley Green
exactly what I was thinking
25 upvotes
James H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 12 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Roman H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely solid and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (North) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
20 upvotes
madelyn_living
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Ezekiel Miller
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Baltimore it's pretty good.
19 upvotes
Ezekiel Morris
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Autumn W.
thanks for sharing
17 upvotes
Roman Castillo
noted, appreciate it
16 upvotes
Nova R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Evan
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much reasonable but now it's pretty good.
13 upvotes
Arianna Campbell
This.
11 upvotes
Isaiah Johnson
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
10 upvotes
Jeremiah C.
hmm interesting perspective
10 upvotes
Riley Gray
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Valentina C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely underrated and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (East) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. school system 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.
8 upvotes
kcmama2020
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 26, moved here 3 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. pretty good 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 Nashville, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K 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.
8 upvotes
zoe_living
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in East area are decent. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
Santiago Thompson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
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