[2024] Top Reasons not to Move to Des Moines

[@Livingindesmoines]

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[@Ats889]

I moved to Iowa in 2011 from Denver. I love Iowa. A large portion of people just living life. It gets cold here and the wind cuts through you. It’s nice. There are some knuckleheads but for the most part everybody just minds to themselves. I’m very happy with Iowa.

[@Livingindesmoines]

Ah thanks for sharing, love hearing others perspectives

[@randallkarlin4115]

My wife and I love Iowa we are going to retire in Iowa and we can’t wait to get to Iowa. We were both born in Iowa and we miss the normalcy.

[@Livingindesmoines]

I've helped a considerable number of folks move to Iowa to retire... Normalcy is a wonderful explanation!! Plus our Government is changing the way retiriees are taxes in Iowa, for the better!!

[@stevenmontgomery171]

I've been here a lil over 2 years and love it!

[@Livingindesmoines]

Specifically what do you love?

[@stevenmontgomery171]

​@@Livingindesmoines I

[@stevenmontgomery171]

​@@Livingindesmoineslet's have some of the best golf courses in the nation living expenses aren't as high as the previous place that I lived I would say crime is probably lower and that's not to say that there's no crime but a lot less than where I was I believe The people are very nice The ones that I've met and have been around there's some very nice restaurants if you like to fish this is definitely one of the best spots I've been around there's plenty of jobs seems like the downtown area is pretty nice although it could use some attention if it's one thing that I do not like about living in Des Moines it's the winter times cuz it is cold unbelievably cold!

[@jayeetee2309]

Allergies and humidity are aspects of the Midwest in general, not just Iowa. Hey, it's an agriculture area. Also, it pays to see an allergist because the meds really have improved. I used to have about six weeks of misery during ragweed season no matter what. Now, there are new allergy meds. I might have only 2 - 3 days that are rough. What an improvement! Anyway, I came from Lower Michigan. There are more similarities than differences between Grand Rapids, MI and Des Moines, IA. Yes, politics is more of a contact sport in IA -- that's a difference -- but not really much else. If you're comfortable in the Midwest, Des Moines will be fine. If you hate the Midwest, look into other places. I really like it here because it's affordable and a great place to raise families or retire. Nice video!

[@Livingindesmoines]

Thanks for sharing so much detail!

[@reneewaters2888]

I grew up in DSM. The weather alone needs to be a key factor when determining your choice. We can go from 60 degrees Fahrenheit to zero within a 24 hour period in the winter or 60 to 100 in summer with wind chill factor or heat advisories that make it feel 10 to 20 degrees higher (summer) or lower (winter)

[@Livingindesmoines]

I’ve tried to explain this in a few videos and it’s so hard to articulate the massive weather changes. Maybe it’s just a simple fact that you need to have three seasons of clothes during most of the year. Lol

[@LauraBiegajski-Bragg]

My sister has lived there all her life my half-sister so she didn't even know there was a Iowa City because she's been in Des Moines for so long

[@conspiracymusic]

My wife and I have to move to the des moines area for her work, we picked an apt in West des moines, although neither of us has ever been to Des Moines, we're excited to be somewhere new, smaller city will be nice as well. Ive lived in the mid west before and know how humid and cold it can be but its my philosophy that home is where you make it. Thanks for the video and advice

[@dggydddy59]

I was born and raised in Dead Moines Iowa and I left at 19 for California. It was like living a dream for 15 years. Unfortunately, family responsibilities brought me back and here I still am. The 7 months of snow, ice, and sub zero temperatures are just something I will never get used to again. There's about 60 days of nice weather per year and the rest of the time it's way too cold or way too hot and humid. As far as things to do, as long as you keep your expectations low and you're easily amused, you'll probably be OK. Apparently, it's cheaper to live here than most places these days, but as always, you get what you pay for. Road construction cannot keep up with the population moving west and north so the traffic jams are ongoing daily in what are technically suburban areas. The state as a whole continues to lose population, which is around 83 to 89% white. Which helps explain the myriad of signs and flags supporting a Nazi/Klan sympathizer right-wing extremist traitor to the country and the Constitution who happens to be running from the law and prison as he's running for president yet again. All in all, for me personally, Iowa leaves a whole hell of a lot to be desired.

[@jamesforehand8181]

I live in north Iowa for 12 years, took a few years to really like it coming here via Hawaii and Colorado but now I’m home

[@kj8016]

Not just week to week. You can have a beautiful summer day out at the pool and 2 hours later a thunderstorm dumping rain coming in

[@tehboi415]

I live in Des Moines and nothings wRong here.

[@Livingindesmoines]

What do you like about it, specifically? This will help others reading this SOOO much!

[@JamesJones-zt2yx]

The standard phrase that I've heard a lot from meteorologists is "air you can wear".

[@TheHammer77]

Yes, politics many years ago I was used to be a purple state with back-and-forth. It was quite even and fair. But not now it’s a tremendous red state because of the film Republican policies is why we have so many problems in Iowa for example their extreme homelessness, low wages, social benefits, like unemployment, etc..

[@ShineLikeaProAZ]

The state may be red, but the cities are usually blue.

[@LuisDiaz-uf6hb]

Lived in Iowa for a year now. Humidity is not that bad. Depends on where your coming from. I'm from Florida, if your from the south it won't be anything you are not used to. Rest of the vid is pretty on point!

[@Livingindesmoines]

What was the biggest surprise moving here?

[@TheHammer77]

I’ve lived in Des Moines for many years now, and I can tell you the reason there is very few activities on the Des Moines river is because of the super high nitrate, contents and bacterial contents if you swim in the Des Moines river at the wrong time of year because of the pollutants You’ll get a rash that you’ll never get ridof for rest of your life. Trust me I have one.😮

[@robertstahl5794]

😮

[@stephen1991]

I think you can add bicycle friendly. Beside the trails that run throughout the metro, and to outlying towns, the have started making formerly four lane roads in a two lane with bike accommodating lanes. Plus the public transit buses have bike carriers for those who might want to bus to work and then ride home, or for any other reason.

[@Livingindesmoines]

Yes!! Thanks for sharing!

[@Mk-vc4fx]

Reducing the four lane roads down to two lane roads to accommodate bicycles was the absolute dumbest thing the city could have done. Not only are bicyclers NOT paying taxes (no registration required to my knowledge), most bicyclers ignore the traffic laws completely. On top of that, the traffic congestion generated from the reduced 2 lane roads is causing motorists to start driving down residential side streets. This has resulted in the city installing speed bumps and other concrete road barriers to control traffic on streets that shouldn't be seeing any major traffic in the first place.

[@Livingindesmoines]

@@Mk-vc4fx I'm going to push back a little here, the traffic, IMO, runs smoother with wide 1 lane instead of 2 skinny lanes. And the folks riding bikes, live here, so they do pay taxes, and the wear and tear from their bikes are much less than cars have on the road way. Maybe be a little more optomisitc on the great benefits of more bikers instead?

[@stevem4582]

Snow/salt/plowing also ruins our roads unfortunately.

[@Hardestway]

Des Moines is an amazing city! Everyone wants to make everything political. It’s not! It’s a little big city that is clean, safe , cheap and people for the most part are great!

[@Livingindesmoines]

As much as you want to say and don’t want things to be political, our political landscape 100% impacts the future of our state and we have citizens need to pay attention to that and monitor it and hold each other and politicians accountable

[@johnnyb8629]

Problem I have with the real estate here is that there is nothing available to fit my lifestyle. 30 minutes from altoona with a large shop space and small living space. The only way to get that is if I build it myself, I don't think it should cost more than 200K as Im not looking for anything huge or fancy, 2000 3000 sq feet. I would do a barndo, would prefer a Quonset hut, don't care if its out in fields but must be in proximity to altoona.

[@Livingindesmoines]

That is unique but not impossible to find. Reach out to me via email if you are serious, i bet i could find what you are looking for within 3-6 months

[@journeytohealthafter60]

LOL hate it here. Loved the Caroline's most of all. PA was super friendly and so historic. However, pricy n you best have thick skin lol. Definitely NOT Iowa !! As soon as able will be OUTTA here.

[@Livingindesmoines]

Leaving the state just when we removing the tax for retired?

[@erickpeterson537]

​@@Livingindesmoinesstate tax thats it, property tax is ridiculous in Des Moines and surrounding communities.

[@GoLeftGo]

You didn’t mention the high real estate taxes. I moved from Chicago with a home value roughly equal, and my tax burden nearly tripled when I got here(exclusively the real estate portion in comparison).

[@Livingindesmoines]

Taxes are one thing that get charged differently in each state ratios for income tax versus property tax versus local tax. It’s really difficult to compare to when we talk Tax. I’ve struggled with it time and time again so although I do agree with you, our property taxes are considerably higher than many states. If you calculate overall tax in your lifestyle fairly certain we’re not at the top of the range.

[@kencarey3477]

I'm moving to Des Moines right now

[@randallkarlin4115]

So far I have no problem with everything you have mentioned until the election part ( this is why my wife and I want to move to Iowa).

[@Livingindesmoines]

i actually spoke to someone yesterday about the election part. In reality, its only the caucus time frame that is ridiculous.... the actual presidential election this fall will be no more crazy than it is in other states that have the potential to go R or D in any given election.

[@randallkarlin4115]

@@Livingindesmoines I think you’re completely wrong!

[@Livingindesmoines]

Really? I mean its election year right now, yes we have add bc we are somewhat of a inf state but really its not too bad right now

[@Prayalone515]

Ive been in Des Moines my whole adult life…the construction is HANDS DOWN THEEEE WORST Ive ever seen it in the last few years. As soon as they “finish” certain areas…and you think its done and traffic flows ike water…just wait a couple weeks or months….theyll start construction on the SAME AREA AGAIN…and it can last for a year or more. Its INSANE. Not to mention how horrible West Des Moines traffic lights are….they stay red for minutes at a time…Ankeny too. 😡

[@Livingindesmoines]

I would agree construction here is very difficult fortunately even with bad construction the time to go between locations is 10 to 25 minutes if you’re traveling further than 25 minutes, you’re just jumping on an interstate and getting there pretty quick. Anyone who live in any other city complaining about the traffic

[@AyatollahOfDahmsistan]

I moved back to Iowa, after living in the UK Iowa RULES! Awesome and BORING. I LOVE THE BORING!

[@stevemanuel1160]

I moved to Des Monies it has 4 seasons an I love cold winters Texas was to hot

[@Livingindesmoines]

We are cut from the same cloth, I also love the winters! yes its cold, but with a heavy coat, hat, gloves and boots, its amazing!

[@francispicray8934]

There is nothing in the downtown that is worth walking to. I was born and raised in des moines and when I was a kid there was lots to do in des moines. Shopping movies, the streets were crowded on weekends. Then came people like you that wanted to bring you suburban lifestyle to des moines and destroyed the downtown. Your skywalks, brick streets, BARS, hotels, and nothing to do places that rolled up the sidewalks at 5;pm is what ruined des moines. I don't go downtown because I can find whatever I want at a shopping center where there is parking, that doesn't cost me an arm and a leg and shopping is much easier because there are places to go. If you don't like des moines, don't let the door hit you in the behind on the way out. Des moines has been trying to be a chicago, minneapolis, k.c, but they missed the boat and It will never be back. The city is surrounded by insurance buildings, and banks, every attempt to get a pro sports team here failed miserably, but the money clowns keep trying. Iowa and des moines is a small small town with a small town population. That is all it has ever been and will ever be. It will be interesting to see how successful the sucker league will be after theren fields get flooded a season or two. Maybe they could start a water polo team.

[@AngelOfDeath420]

I was forced to move to Altoona to be in my daughter's life. It's not bad in Des Moines but just not much to do here.

[@Livingindesmoines]

Not much to do? What is missing?

[@ortonh1]

Omg grow a pair and move here… it’s frickin great! We are national average for allergies. We are hardly humid… a few days during the summer in which case sure jump in the pool. construction lol this guy is obviously never lived in a big city in Des Moines u get one little bit of construction and people aren’t used to it and they freak out. I think the average commute is like 10 minutes. And yes, in winter, you do have to sometimes wear a jacket. The south east of Iowa is lower than the rest so it’s not as windy and that’s where Des Moines is. The last glacier pretty much stopped at Des Moines and receded.

[@iowaphotos9107]

I've lived in iowa my whole life. Des Moines for 24 years. You couldn't pay me to move back there. Rural iowa is nice. Weather is weather. It's humid from evapotranporation. Winter in the whole state sucks. There's nothing to really do in the whole state. Iowa hates tourism.

[@fessalissa9852]

Nice video

[@Livingindesmoines]

thanks!

[@stevemanuel1160]

I love Iowa❤❤❤❤❤

[@Livingindesmoines]

Tell me more!! What else do you love?

[@JakeyBoyCoffman]

Obesity is just a problem in America in general.

[@digitalmarketingspseoexpert]

WONDERFUL

[@Livingindesmoines]

thanks!

[@Keepnthem]

Yeah… Des Moines is so bad I only stayed there for 68 years. You need to move! Yeah… i’m a republican.

[@fivecrosses9040]

What cultural benefits are lacking?

[@Autismteenandfam]

I have been in Des Moines for 3 years now, I'm Republican and love that Iowa is Red. Downtown Des Moines has a lot of homeless hanging around, it is not very walkable that needs to change, but I workout at home and if you are not Republican Iowa is not for you

[@JamesNeverJim]

Wow, so much for that "Iowa Nice". Is Iowa ultra-liberal? No. Is it ultra-conservative? Not as much as one of my neighbors tries to make everyone around him believe. I'd say we're a very moderate state. There are a few issues where the conservatives are "winning". The state has been under-funding public education for decades. And the state of women's reproductive rights is not great at the moment. But Des Moines is not the great white Christian stronghold that other parts of the state might be. There's a mosque and synagogue relatively close to my home in addition to multiple churches. There are students from 88 different countries in Des Moines public schools. Iowa was the second state to have same sex marriage and I feel like there's a pretty solid queer community here. I think the majority of Iowa is pretty much going to be "do your thing and I'll do mine". Our politics kinda used to be like that, but it's gotten a lot more contentious lately. I have a feeling that will settle down as the Boomers start to drop off, but that will still probably take a decade or so.

[@GoLeftGo]

Iowa was traditionally purple with a lot of independent(no hard party affiliation) voters. This is part of why we have traditionally been selected for the early presidential events. Lately the pendulum has swung to the right, and unfortunately the far right. I’ve never felt more surrounded by non-thinkers than lately. “I’ll take the guy who brags of sexual assault, convicted of assault, several divorces, felon, because *god*.” Also, policies that help the underprivileged, poor, etc… are championed by the left and scorned by the right, yet they still want to claim some kind of religious moral high ground. Give me a break.

[@Livingindesmoines]

Happy to sit down and have a conversation with thought, and I would probably be told that I am on the right side of the spectrum. Argue you’re just hanging out with the wrong crowd or reading the Des Moines register articles

[@horncow4160]

Yup, Iowa'a swing to the right is a major reason I'm laying groundwork to leave.

[@Livingindesmoines]

If you need my help to sell your house, I’d love to help or recommend a realtor in your area!

[@sqeekykleen49]

I call bullshit. Moved here from greater LA area in 2016, my allergies almost disappeared.

[@jamesmichael5155]

AND IF YOU GOT SICK FROM ANYTHING AND HAVE TO HAVE NO INC AFTER 55 THAY TAKE EVEY THING YOU HAVE AND DONT CARE.

[@Livingindesmoines]

Who is they? That is taking everything? And what is everything?

[@bluechevycruze8260]

Yes, leave and never come here the fewer the better

[@stevencrane7248]

I moved to iowa a year ago and fucking hate it

[@ShineLikeaProAZ]

Why?

[@harnessworx3046]

Can’t believe he left out all the corner cryptids asking for handouts…random sidewalk campsites for the degenerates…so awesome for ya’ll in or near downtown lol

[@kalman0966]

Des Moines sucks wouldn’t recommend Iowa city is much better or Omaha,Nebraska

[@Livingindesmoines]

Negative Nancy with very little constructive criticism over here, sorry you don’t like most of Iowa you’re welcome to go to Nebraska!

[@ShineLikeaProAZ]

Why?

[@charlesb7019]

Iowa in general is mega-boring and Des Moines has none of the cultural benefits that typically come with cities. Truly a bad state.

[@JasonHAMPTON-mz7tn]

Then move, kick rocks

[@rubenluna2495]

And thanks God, we live happily avoiding trans saturated people as yourself.

[@ShineLikeaProAZ]

What benefits are those?

[@JasonHAMPTON-mz7tn]

If Des Moines, Iowa is so bad, how come the population keeps increasing ? I'll tell you why, cause it's cheaper, the air is cleaner, and a safer place to raise kids. A realtor should do so homework before listing reasons not to move to a particular city. Ignorance must be bliss. 🤷 SMH

[@JasonHAMPTON-mz7tn]

Obesity is nation wide, the whole your brave to eat that ho ho thing, plenty to do outside, people drink in every state, politics ( if you ignore it, then your part of the problem) , yes there's 4 seasons here, walkable community Des moines is full of walkable community, road construction happens every state Des Moines is where I80 & I35 met so yeah just a little bit of traffic I'm guessing. I wouldn't buy anything from this guy.

[@TheHammer77]

I’ve lived in Des Moines for many years now, and I can tell you the reason there is very few activities on the Des Moines river is because of the super high nitrate, contents and bacterial contents if you swim in the Des Moines river at the wrong time of year because of the pollutants You’ll get a rash that you’ll never get ridof for rest of your life. Trust me I have one.😮