You Might Need To Move To Des Moines, Iowa

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 22 жов 2022
  • Is THIS actually the best place to live in the nation now? Just wow.
    I finally made it to the capital! It’s day 16 on my major midwest adventure, so it’s about time I saw a state capital. I’ve been in Iowa for who knows how long and saw a lot of other Iowa stuff, so I had to come here, right?
    I’m in Des Moines, population 215,000. And that’s a LOT for Iowa. I’d spend two days here, and it would be my last stop in this state. Many people have said that Des Moines, Iowa is the best city nobody talks about. And I have to say, this place needs to be talked about more.
    Jobs wise, it’s lookin pretty good. Tech is moving in, and there are a lot of agriculture and insurance industry positions. That’s gonna draw in more people. The Des Moines metro area is supposed to get to a million people in 20 years. The suburb to the north, Ankeny, is one of the fastest growing towns in the US.
    There’s construction all over the place here. New businesses and condos and things to do.
    It is truly a city on the move, and might be symbolic of the NEW Iowa everyone. Downtown Des Moines feels like a throwback to a classic American city. They don’t have all of today’s modern problems in large numbers.
    However, as Des Moines is getting better, it’s getting worse at the same time.
    #iowa #moving
    Email me: Robikmarketing1@gmail.com
    I have a Patreon if you love it so much! Here's the link to donate to the channel: www.patreon.com/NickJohnsonYo...
    You can buy my music here:
    iTunes: / state-songs-an-album
    More places to get my music:
    -Google Play: play.google.com/store/music/a...
    -Amazon Music: music.amazon.com/albums/B08D3...
    This channel is about America!
    The best video on this topic!

КОМЕНТАРІ • 929

  • @NickJohnson
    @NickJohnson  Рік тому +35

    Here's the entire Midwest playlist: ua-cam.com/play/PLq-_cmf3H6yreUhBrJwFhC9LeCYh1TvBL.html

    • @GTADonut
      @GTADonut Рік тому +1

      CEDAR FALL

    • @Velociberry
      @Velociberry Рік тому +2

      This, over Detroit anyway just cause it's that boring drive through...rather that then get jumped by a bunch of angry squirrels with shot guns...

    • @Juice421fs
      @Juice421fs Рік тому +2

      How much snow and tornadoes do they get?

    • @lindamon5101
      @lindamon5101 Рік тому

      Your condescending sarcasm is🤢🤢🤢🤮

    • @wraynovotny3686
      @wraynovotny3686 Рік тому

      Man u must of been bored lol cuz I know the drive in-between

  • @virgiliohernandez6886
    @virgiliohernandez6886 Рік тому +547

    I lived for a couple of month in Des Moines and as a latino coming from Miami, that city was an oasis in the desert! I was really concerned about the people and the way they would treat me. It turns that they were the friendliest, the kindest and most open minded people I‘ve met in this country so far.

    • @Foreskinflavourednuts
      @Foreskinflavourednuts Рік тому +45

      Same for me. Lots of cool bars and clubs downtown. Never would've expected to have as good a time as I did. Only downside, very cold in winter

    • @trustyourgut1365
      @trustyourgut1365 Рік тому +31

      Them folks really are "Iowa nice"❤️❤️

    • @trustyourgut1365
      @trustyourgut1365 Рік тому +13

      @@Foreskinflavourednuts I'm back in FL from my 5 year stay in WDM and still have my winter gear😆 I will NOT be cold when all my coworkers are "freezing" and complaining😁

    • @skurinski
      @skurinski Рік тому

      Biggest racists live in blue cities

    • @MusicfromMarrs
      @MusicfromMarrs Рік тому +18

      I’m super glad to know you were welcomed! We do have a sizable Latinx population here, so that helps. Sadly, there are plenty of xenophobic folks here, too, so I’m glad that you didn’t run into them. We do have good people, music, and even food (big improvement in restaurants in the last 17 years!!) in Des Moines.

  • @angelamcdaniel849
    @angelamcdaniel849 Рік тому +98

    The winters in Iowa serves one purpose - killing all the bugs.

    • @joespice785
      @joespice785 Рік тому +10

      Nah, they're also for having fun sledding after a good snowstorm.

    • @skylermummert24
      @skylermummert24 Рік тому +1

      And snowmobiling if and when it snows

    • @lindamon5101
      @lindamon5101 Рік тому +2

      Separating the men from the ca.

    • @jasourwnjl
      @jasourwnjl Рік тому

      Also great for orthopedic surgeons. Given the frequent freeze and thaw cycles during the winter there's often a shitton of ice after the first major snowfall. If you're lucky that might not start til late December or even early January on rare occasion.

    • @KS5040
      @KS5040 Рік тому +3

      No, winters aren't that cold in Iowa compared to further north at all.

  • @notlostjustwandering218
    @notlostjustwandering218 Рік тому +123

    I love to visit Des Moines for a very inexpensive weekend getaway. I've always felt safe, no matter where in the city I was. When I tell someone I am going to Des Moines, the response is always: Why????? I just shrug as I feel like is my secret escape and kinda want to keep that way 😂

    • @devintaylor8702
      @devintaylor8702 Рік тому +4

      I know that's right the rest these cities are full of crime

    • @killa4322
      @killa4322 Рік тому +5

      @@devintaylor8702 there’s been multiple shootings in Des Moines. If you don’t live here you don’t know how it’s really like 😂

    • @sproggs
      @sproggs Рік тому +4

      @@killa4322 Crime has definitely increased but it's still significantly safer compared to other major cities. I've lived in DSM my whole life and have watched crime go up, but I've also traveled to other places and DSM is still by and large much safer compared to almost anywhere else.

    • @eddyg6528
      @eddyg6528 Рік тому +2

      @@killa4322 i live here and it is nothing compare to cali so yah its super nice for me i live right downtown its extremely friendly compare to cali and vegas.

    • @tonyraby1515
      @tonyraby1515 Рік тому +1

      Yeah, but it’s Iowa

  • @michaelshort7472
    @michaelshort7472 Рік тому +21

    I grew up in Fort Dodge and lived in the Chicago area for about eight years and moved from there to Des Moines in 1986. We've never regretted it. The transformation in this town in the last 35 years is absolutely amazing. It's a great place to live.

  • @paulbradley1763
    @paulbradley1763 Рік тому +43

    Downtown DSM used to be a ghost town in the early 2000's. They have done a great job of restoring it with shops, resteraunts, and bars.

    • @aesonmoritz2100
      @aesonmoritz2100 Рік тому +1

      Now if they can solve the gun problems on Court Avenue during the weekends at night that would be great. If the City doesn't do that a lot of people will not go downtown and stick to the new entertainment zones coming up in the suburbs.

    • @paulbradley1763
      @paulbradley1763 Рік тому +1

      @@aesonmoritz2100 agree 100%. Heard it is getting a little gnarly downtown these days.

    • @BlueTickCH
      @BlueTickCH 6 днів тому

      ​@@paulbradley1763interesting, just crime and drugs ? Gang activity in DSM? Passing by this summer spending a night

  • @alexfernandez6621
    @alexfernandez6621 Рік тому +94

    Hey there, Des Moines native here. I really hope you see this because I'll just say you gave such an accurate and honest description of my city. Especially about tough things to talk about like gentrification and lack of housing for the homeless. I'm definitely a subscriber now.

  • @BrandonHanson
    @BrandonHanson Рік тому +41

    I've traveled to Iowa for years. This is a state that has allot of great people and so underrated. Appreciate you covering this state as it truly is affordable and successful with running things.

  • @pablopicaro7649
    @pablopicaro7649 Рік тому +18

    Chicago transplanted into Iowa. When i was in grade school some kid came in from Chicago. within a week he was throwing chairs through the windows, assaulting teachers, dealing drugs, and cussed like a sailor. The Chi Town Hoodlum lasted a week at that Iowa School.

    • @carterenos5732
      @carterenos5732 Рік тому +1

      yea that’s what’s happening hella people from chicago moving here the new generation getting active

    • @epicbluerat9999
      @epicbluerat9999 8 місяців тому

      I'm leaving Chicago to Iowa most likely. Just can't deal with he comotion here

  • @rahulr3250
    @rahulr3250 Рік тому +43

    I am from India. I lived in Des Moines area for quite sometime.....12+years morethan where I was born and bought up. Not a single reason to moveout except weather. Its an amazing place!!

    • @yuanruichen2564
      @yuanruichen2564 Рік тому +1

      weather is still better than india

    • @rahulr3250
      @rahulr3250 Рік тому +2

      @@yuanruichen2564 You are correct by less than 10%. It depends.
      By the way, I greatly miss the town.

    • @theboyisnotright6312
      @theboyisnotright6312 22 дні тому

      I had a neighbor from India for awhile. I guess it depends on where you are in India. But where he was from they had monsoon. Sounded like pretty horrible weather to me. He liked southeast Minnesota quite a bit.

  • @jeffsmith846
    @jeffsmith846 Рік тому +47

    I have been going to Des Moines every Fourth of July for 25 years to attend the Good Guys car show at the state fairgrounds. I have always been impressed with the cleanliness of the city compared to Missouri cities. Also, they invest heavily in the upkeep and improvements to the fair grounds. That may sound inconsequential but if you compare their state fairgrounds to Missouri's there is a massive difference. The Goodguys show in Iowa one of the best in the country for that reason. BTW. great job on the score setting. You may not be a natural buy definitely trainable. Lol

    • @flyaway_
      @flyaway_ Рік тому

      Des Moines is a great city for car people, theres tons of cool cars everywhere and even at 3:20 in the video you can see a supra parked on the side of the street. at night all the tuners come out. theres even a bugatti veyron you may see if you're very lucky.

    • @aesonmoritz2100
      @aesonmoritz2100 Рік тому

      You come back during the state fair in August.👍🏾

  • @sandydremmel1506
    @sandydremmel1506 Рік тому +52

    Hi Nick. Thank you so much for introducing Des moines, Iowa, I live in Dubuque 3hours away from Des moines. As a Vietnamese-Chinese immigrants, people are very kind and friendly to me.

    • @jenrankin3920
      @jenrankin3920 Рік тому +3

      Lol... I live in DSM and love to visit Dubuque!
      Moved here from CA 3 years ago and love it

    • @dannyt7075
      @dannyt7075 Рік тому +1

      @@jenrankin3920 I am from calif and think about moving to DSM

    • @gottogoalltheway
      @gottogoalltheway Рік тому

      ​@@dannyt7075
      Stay away

    • @yasir.111
      @yasir.111 Рік тому

      @@dannyt7075 Same

  • @rocbola
    @rocbola Рік тому +24

    From an Iowan: SSSSHHHH!!!!!!!! We don't want everyone moving here.

    • @bigballsgaming42069
      @bigballsgaming42069 Рік тому +1

      it happened to denver, now it sucks. des moines sucks soooooooo much, i hate it there. don't move there at all 😉

    • @fenian123
      @fenian123 Рік тому +2

      That's what Native Americans were saying 200 years ago, whaya gonna do?😆

    • @surirel4949
      @surirel4949 Рік тому +2

      Trust you won’t have that problem more people or moving out of Iowa than in.

  • @nikkiblack5073
    @nikkiblack5073 Рік тому +20

    Just drove through Iowa on my way to Wyoming. Just beautiful country good people. And I saw some big deer.

  • @NewHaven203
    @NewHaven203 Рік тому +17

    Traffic delay in Des Moines: 7 minutes
    Traffic delay anywhere in Hampton Roads area of Virginia: *2 hours*

  • @wyattearpswoman838
    @wyattearpswoman838 Рік тому +28

    Please stop telling people to move here.😊

    • @hotdog31227
      @hotdog31227 Рік тому +7

      Truly. im scared for us in omaha. Dont need any more homeless, dont need all the prices to rise up, dont need traffic, etc.

    • @davidsullivan5700
      @davidsullivan5700 Рік тому +6

      enuf with all the out of state plates from democrat states

    • @SpookyApparition
      @SpookyApparition Рік тому +4

      People who want to keep the city the way it is are more than welcome. Just please don't move here and try to remake it into something that has already failed in other states.

    • @jasong782
      @jasong782 Рік тому +6

      I moved out of Iowa and gave never been happier.

    • @michaelelwell1331
      @michaelelwell1331 Рік тому

      @@blackcherry6877 mostly the cold keeps homeless away but homeless is in all 50 states

  • @trustyourgut1365
    @trustyourgut1365 Рік тому +28

    I lived with my girlfriend in WDM for about 5 years and other than the weather I loved it❤️❤️ we went to the state fair almost every year and it never disappoints. I grew up in NC and currently live in North Florida but Iowa holds a special place in my heart💙 from the racetrack in Knoxville to college football from 3 great programs in the state, Iowa is absolutely beautiful. The cost of living is going up but you get what you pay for👍🏻 another great video my friend❤️❤️ you have my dream job😆(travel and take pictures)

    • @tmusa2002
      @tmusa2002 Рік тому +2

      It would have been awesome if Nick would’ve been there during the state fair!

    • @jaxabe3925
      @jaxabe3925 Рік тому +1

      I had lived in Fairfield Iowa and been to Des Moines before, and now in Jacksonville Florida. Iowa has always been in my memory.

    • @jilljohnson3058
      @jilljohnson3058 Рік тому +1

      I lived there many years. Great place to live n raise family. The people are wonderful

  • @taters7359
    @taters7359 Рік тому +12

    Nick dont know what i was more impressed with you running that score board,or you rocking that Fanny Pack 😁

  • @jacktodd3439
    @jacktodd3439 Рік тому +18

    Where Slipknot is from:)

  • @SummitBidTech
    @SummitBidTech 11 місяців тому +3

    My son just graduated from college and his first job is in Des Moines.
    Thanks for giving me a
    Feel for the place.

  • @adamvink117
    @adamvink117 Рік тому +10

    Great video! As a Iowa City resident since 1996, I can tell you that the "undesirable element from Chicago" is a long-standing trope. It cycles in-and-out. It's not that bad. Iowa is proud and beautiful and happy, overall.

    • @georgechristiansen6785
      @georgechristiansen6785 Рік тому

      Maybe it's only a trope in Iowa City, but not in Dubuque.

    • @canduscanty8583
      @canduscanty8583 Рік тому

      People coming to Iowa from Chicago wasn't all bad it brought some good to the state as well. There's been a lot of good change to Iowa since the huge migration in the late 80s.

  • @bkccards64
    @bkccards64 Рік тому +5

    Was waiting for this one!

  • @kosova8764
    @kosova8764 Рік тому +2

    20 years ago when I moved to Des Moines wasn’t much here but this place has changed so much for the better .

  • @vtxshadow
    @vtxshadow Рік тому +15

    Hope Timothy’s life improves.

  • @AberrantArt
    @AberrantArt Рік тому +24

    Thanks for what you do Nick. It's great to see various cities throughout the US without the political spin. I enjoy your unbiased take on things, just objective and straight forward.

    • @granthancock3622
      @granthancock3622 5 місяців тому

      It’s actually dripping with political spin. At least a dozen mentions of liberal politics ruining cities per video.

  • @cynthiastory8541
    @cynthiastory8541 Рік тому +6

    I moved to Des Moines a few years ago… absolutely love it here!!

    • @adalas293
      @adalas293 Рік тому

      Why ?! Explain a little. Otherwise it doesn't mean much.

  • @ItsaRomethingeveryday
    @ItsaRomethingeveryday Рік тому +63

    We moved to north Iowa from Minneapolis back in 1992, I was extremely homesick from missing my life in the big city for about two years, now in retrospect I don't plan on ever moving back, Iowa is so much more affordable, the people are genuinely nicer here, the sense of community is strong, and the crime is low, we live in a small town of 151 people, I could go on , but just saying, Liked your vid

    • @skylermummert24
      @skylermummert24 Рік тому +4

      You’re right iowa native til 29 moved to Minnesota and shot was expensive now just moved to South Dakota and love it

    • @Bonzi_Buddy
      @Bonzi_Buddy Рік тому +2

      lol. Minneapolis doesn't even closely resemble what it was in 1992. It is a cesspool no different from any other democrat controlled city like Chicago, Houston, Memphis, Baltimore, etc.
      You do not want to go back to even visit. St. Floyd sure didn't help things either.

    • @devintaylor8702
      @devintaylor8702 Рік тому +1

      AWESOME 😃

    • @devintaylor8702
      @devintaylor8702 Рік тому

      Come to Louisiana lol

    • @Jjjaaahhnn
      @Jjjaaahhnn Рік тому +2

      @@devintaylor8702 I don't think anyone is moving to Louisiana lol...maybe New Orleans, but most just vacation there.

  • @mikedrown2721
    @mikedrown2721 Рік тому +2

    👍😊♥️ Enjoyed the video Nick, thanks

  • @adrianpaz8962
    @adrianpaz8962 Рік тому +4

    I have been to Desmoine in 2018 and it was an incredible experience! I loved the people, I love the place ! ❤

  • @Cynosarus-Rex
    @Cynosarus-Rex Рік тому +11

    as a Iowa native, the weather gets brought up as a bad thing here and namely people say that in regards to snow, but there is alot of fun that happens in the snow here, come back when there's snow on the ground, I can show you some of the interesting winter times here.
    thank you for the showing of our state, it may not have the weather of Texas, and is more friendly than Texas, but lets keep Austin in Texas and keep midwest values here :)

    • @kellytownsend4526
      @kellytownsend4526 Рік тому +1

      what about tornados? Are there a lot of big tornados there?

    • @Cynosarus-Rex
      @Cynosarus-Rex Рік тому +1

      @@kellytownsend4526 they are a thing, but for the most part if you stay out of completely rural areas, the building density prevents them from being able to touch ground and do alot of damage.

  • @jordanreabold697
    @jordanreabold697 Рік тому +2

    I watch your videos from time to time, and this one had me rollin haha. I hope Timothy made it to STL safely.

  • @timstewart5227
    @timstewart5227 Рік тому +12

    Yes I definitely want to move to the outer area of Des Moines maybe like 30mins out of Des Moines.. excited to make my move soon

    • @onesob13
      @onesob13 Рік тому

      "30mins out" isn't exactly a helpful unit of distance unless you include what form of transportation you're using. My 15 minute walk to work is a five minute drive, for example

  • @ericjohnson3715
    @ericjohnson3715 Рік тому +3

    Great video and summary of Des Moines, Nick! Wish I'd known you were around...I would of bought you a beer! Next time!! I live just a stone throw away from some of the places you filmed downtown. I love Des Moines and can't think of anywhere else I would like to live. Nick doesn't sugar-coat the places he reviews so when he says DSM is awesome then it is!

  • @elizabethbruce9981
    @elizabethbruce9981 Рік тому +4

    Hey former native Iowan here. Born and raised, I can say Iowa is a gem.

  • @PONCEJE
    @PONCEJE Рік тому +2

    I agree with the guy that was interviewed this time. Thank you for coming to Iowa.

  • @hotdog31227
    @hotdog31227 Рік тому +5

    We have friends that live in ankeny. One thing i noticed when we visited a year back was that it was very clean. Nice place.

  • @rosemarydoran9907
    @rosemarydoran9907 Рік тому +7

    My parents were both from Iowa. My mom grew up in Mount Pleasant and my dad was born in Coon Rapids and they both ended up moving to Des Moines and meeting after World War II and marrying. I still have some cousins that live there and we would often visit on the weekends as that is where my paternal grandmother lived. Other than visiting the west side of town where my relatives lived, I never really got to spend too much time in Des Moines other than going to the state fair once in awhile. I'm from Omaha so Des Moines is not all that much different except it is quite a bit smaller than Omaha what you detailed and some of your other videos. One of my cousins spent several years working for a previous governor as his executive assistant so she spent a lot of time inside the capitol building. She said it is absolutely beautiful inside so I'm sorry you didn't get a chance to see it.

  • @codyfromhumanresources6435
    @codyfromhumanresources6435 Рік тому +6

    I’ll be moving out near Des Moines for work this summer. Thanks for making me less anxious about “big city life”

    • @lisaturtle6374
      @lisaturtle6374 3 місяці тому

      Can you gives us a update on how you feel about it now? Im thinking about it Thanks!

    • @codyfromhumanresources6435
      @codyfromhumanresources6435 3 місяці тому

      @@lisaturtle6374they actually ended up switching my move last minute to Omaha. I have visited Des Moines a couple times and it seems really nice! But I haven’t stayed there long term.

  • @nicolegutierrez6150
    @nicolegutierrez6150 Рік тому

    Always enjoy your videos!! Thank you, they are very informative!👍🏻

  • @user-nw6qp1ki2n
    @user-nw6qp1ki2n Рік тому

    Nick ….. your clips have long been making my days 🍉🫐🍊🍇🍏

  • @user-zy8cy6hn6o
    @user-zy8cy6hn6o Рік тому +8

    I remember stopping in Des Moins just because I had been driving all day and it was late and I needed to rest. I was absolutely stunned by the city and stayed the whole next day there just exploring it.

  • @SpookyApparition
    @SpookyApparition Рік тому +21

    I've lived in Des Moines for about 12 years and it gets better every year.
    But if you move here to get away from cities that are in decline, PLEASE do not bring the politics from those cities here!

    • @dan-a-vee1484
      @dan-a-vee1484 Рік тому +2

      Or there "bad habits", to put pc.

    • @GabiN64
      @GabiN64 Рік тому +1

      there's already druggies and homeless as this video shows sounds like conservative policies are working

    • @SpookyApparition
      @SpookyApparition Рік тому +4

      @@GabiN64 Fortunately in Des Moines, police are allowed to break up homeless camps.

    • @GabiN64
      @GabiN64 Рік тому +1

      @@SpookyApparition yeah and most other cities do that.

    • @evets9275
      @evets9275 Рік тому +2

      @@GabiN64 The local government in Des Moines claims to be non-partisan because candidates running for office are not affiliated to a political party, but the truth is that 100% of the individuals elected to public office in the city are big time liberals. They are, in fact, one of the most far left local governments in the country and have enacted some of the most progressive policies anywhere in the US.

  • @kathleen7607
    @kathleen7607 9 місяців тому

    Went to college in Iowa City and moved to Des Moines this summer. It's a beautiful city. So glad you did a video on it. Iowa doesn't get enough love

  • @hhectorlector
    @hhectorlector Рік тому

    I love your drive through different neighborhoods. Was also a fan of your part-time job at the Cubs' stadium!

  • @matthewsnell5486
    @matthewsnell5486 Рік тому +12

    You didn’t go to mullets?! You def missed out. Been in the Des Moines area my entire life and can attest that it’s a great city. You can get from one side to the other (downtown/metro area included) in 10-15 minutes, you’ve got mass growing infrastructure, endless entertainment, and the best hearted people in the Midwest. Great video! Very accurate as always

    • @evets9275
      @evets9275 Рік тому

      Um, I don't know what part of town you are in but you must not get out much. You're lucky to make it out of your neighborhood in 10-15 minutes the way it is now and thanks to the far left city government first adapting the complete streets model for transportation and now vision zero you can be assured that traffic congestion will get a lot worse in the near future.

    • @matthewsnell5486
      @matthewsnell5486 Рік тому

      @@evets9275 huh? I live off 22nd close to The Floor Store. Takes me 8 min to get downtown, 7 min to mills civic, 12 min to waukee, and 7 min to Johnston… so yeah. Feel free to give me your number and I’ll send some screenshots

    • @matthewsnell5486
      @matthewsnell5486 Рік тому

      @@evets9275 I guess if any suburb it would be ankeny that takes longest due to traffic, maybe 20 min but other than that it’s sub 15 for me

    • @matthewsnell5486
      @matthewsnell5486 Рік тому

      @@evets9275 also don’t know why you needed to throw the “don’t get out much” insult in… my friends and I are out all the time. In the last week I’ve been to: The platform, eggs and jam, Fongs, paws and pints, and barntown.

  • @osmosisjones306
    @osmosisjones306 Рік тому +8

    Nick you should check out Fairfield, IA, a smallish town in the southeastern part of Iowa. It is probably one of the most unique towns in America, with the town divided between normal Americans and members of a new-age trancesdentalist meditation cult. In fact, the famous film director David Lynch has a film school and ties to the city. While you ars in the area, I think the visit is worth it.

  • @heatherhuffy4135
    @heatherhuffy4135 Місяць тому

    Went to my 1st Iowa Cubs game last weekend. Beautiful stadium, easy parking, very clean/nice downtown. The game was very exciting and was a great family outting.

  • @RothBridge
    @RothBridge Рік тому +1

    This episode made me subscribe! Gd you crack me up, great job. Thank you 😅👊

  • @louislamonte334
    @louislamonte334 Рік тому +10

    Iowa and Nebraska are looking better and better! I really would like to mover there!! I only wish the downtown retail that the shopping malls destroyed was still in both Omaha and Des Moines!

  • @ibrahimyakubu3595
    @ibrahimyakubu3595 Рік тому +4

    Where you labeled "bad areas" is right by my house and its actually a great community and safe.

  • @Yanks6786
    @Yanks6786 Рік тому

    Great video! All you said was very accurate. I use to live in Des Moines, it was a great place. I hope to move back someday.

  • @blkgirlnyc
    @blkgirlnyc Рік тому

    I just wanted to say ….I enjoy watching your videos😊👏.

  • @sarahgirlisit
    @sarahgirlisit Рік тому +4

    I would love to move back home but like you mentioned the weather.

  • @zacharyrogerssr9331
    @zacharyrogerssr9331 Рік тому +14

    Des Moines has some really nice suburbs on the outskirts. Just beware, the winters are hash but it's really good people all throughout the state.

  • @grandmasterjay2190
    @grandmasterjay2190 Рік тому

    Love the 515 grew up in the 80's, 90's on the Eastside.. 💕 good to see it growing 👌

  • @johnjorgensen6301
    @johnjorgensen6301 Рік тому +1

    I grew up in Atlantic Iowa, which is roughly between Omaha and Des Moines. Nick, you generally had favorable comments for both Omaha and Des Moines. When I was a boy, those were the only two places I got to visit. My first cousins lived in Des Moines, and in the summer, I got to visit them for a week. I was from a large family, and we did not take any vacations. I enlisted in the Navy, within a few blocks of that homeless shelter you drove by. Not too far from there, was what a young Iowa basketball player considered heaven; the old Veterans Auditorium where the State basketball tournament was held. I knew my family was never going to get to visit California, so Disneyland was only a fantasy. However, if I could get to the State Fair, Veterans Auditorium, and Lake Okoboji up in Northwest Iowa, I had seen all a young Iowa lad needed to see. My two younger brothers both got very close to making the state tournament, but unfortunately the teams I played on were not as competitive. When you went to a state tournament basketball game at Veterans Auditorium, it was truly magical. Des Moines is a very nice city, and today I have numerous family members who live in Des Moines or it's suburbs. Thank you for visiting Iowa Nick, so that many others can see that Iowa offers a surprisingly high quality of life.

  • @Gr8thxAlot
    @Gr8thxAlot Рік тому +5

    I moved here about twenty years ago and got to see the revitalization from when it started. It's a great city! The only downside is that the metro is very spread out. Once the newness wears off, spending so much time in the car gets old. Yes, Facebook is here and hires local, but do you want to commute to Altoona every day, especially when the weather gets bad?
    Family keeps us here, but I think we'd prefer a small town, work remote, and we could do more things without the drive time. (And while there may not be a big city style rush hour in Des Moines, construction can really mess up your commute.)

    • @yarnlady1058
      @yarnlady1058 Рік тому

      Drive from Des Moines to Altoona would be a hardship? I commuted into Des Moines from 35 miles out every weekday for a few years. I know people who drive much further distances into Des Moines. Lots of commuter traffic between Ames and Des Moines. The Metro is so easy to get around in and long traffic delays are rare.

  • @peanutbutter35
    @peanutbutter35 Рік тому +3

    Timothy ain’t going anywhere but the liquor store!🤣

  • @cteckerman
    @cteckerman Рік тому +1

    Cool to see our little city featured.

  • @veetagriffiths8654
    @veetagriffiths8654 Рік тому +2

    Love ur videos

  • @wendysuecapps5114
    @wendysuecapps5114 Рік тому +5

    BTW, Timothy may have been waiting for the Bus at the wrong stop... Cuz I frequently see him at one of the DART bus stops sippin' from a brown bag.... 😆

  • @flexjay87
    @flexjay87 Рік тому +5

    My Daughter and Grandson live in the Des Moines area, and the Metro area is about 700,000 people right now. About 6 years ago, i took a tour of the Capitol and they let me go clear to the top windows, even though are not supposed to, its actually a very old steep stairway, so its too much liability. Des Moines has a lot of growth, great schools, and sports complex, both private and public. all in all, its the best place in the state for jobs, food, and fun :) Oh, and Timothy leaving Des Moines for St. Louis is a huge mistake, no matter what, unless you are playing for the Cardinals !

  • @stormkelleh
    @stormkelleh Рік тому +1

    I’ve lived in Iowa basically my whole life. I’m a professional Iowan. Live in Indianola grew up in Ankeny and Des Moines is basically my backyard.
    You’re gonna wanna visit Des Moines and hit a few local places We got some neat stuff not gonna lie.

  • @foxy916
    @foxy916 8 місяців тому +1

    Cheers for this, I'm an English guy travelling to near Des Moines because of family here and didn't know what to expect. I have a better idea of what there is to see and do here now.

  • @nq6508
    @nq6508 Рік тому +8

    Timothy probably remembered how bad St Louis is and stayed in Des Moines.

    • @jeremiahallyn4603
      @jeremiahallyn4603 Рік тому +1

      Lol, right? Des Moines is a paradise compared to most larger cities, especially St. Louis.

    • @ES-mc3cc
      @ES-mc3cc Рік тому

      I was sent to St. Louis for six weeks of training for my job in 2001. I concluded that 75% of St. Louis should be bulldozed down. Scary place.

    • @pablopicaro7649
      @pablopicaro7649 Рік тому

      Timothy would be long dead if went to STL

  • @SuperPRguru
    @SuperPRguru Рік тому +3

    The parking sold me

  • @supaF
    @supaF 9 місяців тому

    I LOVE THESE KINDS OF VIDEOS!! Modern day amateur geography! This is truly the most amazing time to be alive.

    • @NickJohnson
      @NickJohnson  9 місяців тому +2

      Amateur 😢

    • @supaF
      @supaF 9 місяців тому

      @@NickJohnson Well, idk if you have a PhD in geography and I don't wanna piss off anyone who spent all that money to get one LOL but awesome channel!

  • @willisjefferson5886
    @willisjefferson5886 2 місяці тому

    Another Gem Nick

  • @chanda-aime6388
    @chanda-aime6388 Рік тому +10

    Nick don't send a bunch of people here😂

  • @purplecreature8178
    @purplecreature8178 Рік тому +4

    I'm 17 years old I'm a junior in highschool and live in Michigan des Moines is where I wanna move too once I graduate I know its gonna be alot better than when I lived in Detroit (I live in a small town right now)

  • @jaylove7125
    @jaylove7125 Рік тому +1

    Transplant to Des Moines from Moline Illinois a few yrs back. I love the music scene and that there is something to do just about everyday day.

  • @quapawqwerty1619
    @quapawqwerty1619 5 місяців тому +1

    We did, for job relocation in NW Des Moines - Urbandale - settled in Madrid 20 minutes north. Might as well call it Mayberry, the children are so normal and happy. Sweet spot.

  • @mooonie6634
    @mooonie6634 Рік тому +5

    These vids are great when it comes to the optics of a place but to get the true measure of a place maybe you should look into the community library system, the high school graduation rate or the percentage of voters who turn out. Stuff like this is also a good measure of a community.

    • @pablopicaro7649
      @pablopicaro7649 Рік тому

      I've lived all over the Country DSM is a relatively friendly place, traditional values and all that brings

  • @frederickjames9703
    @frederickjames9703 Рік тому +5

    The Cubs are NOT the only professional sports team in Iowa, The Iowa Wild (AHL Professional hockey, The Wolves, professional basketball) also call Des Moines home.

  • @TheFrankHummer
    @TheFrankHummer Рік тому +2

    I grew up in Des Moines. It was a good place to grow up.

  • @kaynine9706
    @kaynine9706 Рік тому +1

    i lived in Des Moines for 22 years and I'm 22 years old lol still do, right next to Altoona and 10 min from downtown, love visiting Illinois also!

  • @georgemorgan5518
    @georgemorgan5518 Рік тому +5

    Oh Des Moines in the hometown is Slipknot

  • @danadilks4322
    @danadilks4322 Рік тому +4

    Every time I think " I would never live there " Here I am, wanting to never like I've nevered before 🤣

  • @matthewmorris2383
    @matthewmorris2383 Рік тому +1

    You definately should have gone to Mullets! There's a great bike bath that runs by and the Cubs stadium is just across the river. Can't forget the amazing breakfast and drinks!!

  • @Khan-yc3vo
    @Khan-yc3vo Рік тому

    I live in Des Moines since 1981. I love it here.

  • @laurenonmoonlightdr
    @laurenonmoonlightdr Рік тому +3

    I've always said, I want to live in the town the Grumpy Old Men lived in and walk to Slippery's bar for a beer and go fishing. Owning a bait shop would be good too. Perfection

  • @elaineteut9579
    @elaineteut9579 Рік тому +5

    We don’t need a load of people coming here, we have low crime and rich farmland is being turned over at an alarming rate for strip malls, banks, insurance companies, more and more housing tracts. My good friend lives in a pretty neighborhood, they stripped out the whole small forest across the street from her and built a strip of identical cookie cutter houses. If you came home drunk, I Don’t know how you’d find your house.

  • @PlayThroughTheGame
    @PlayThroughTheGame Рік тому +2

    I liked it when you put the music at the end 29:17 when you were exploring bad hoods its sound like time is stopped.

  • @mariapierce2707
    @mariapierce2707 Рік тому

    You are a mess Nick.😄 I'm guaranteed a chuckle when you make a video. Thank you for this on Iowa.

  • @BlakeMadsen
    @BlakeMadsen Рік тому +19

    I'm 26 and moving to the Midwest from Arizona - I'm done with the heat, massive population boom, and prices beginning to rival California. I'm heavily leaning towards Carmel, IN over anything in Iowa solely because Iowa has a tad too much snow

    • @gottogoalltheway
      @gottogoalltheway Рік тому

      Good we don't need any more people coming to our state

  • @bodhisattva7188
    @bodhisattva7188 Рік тому +4

    Let's be honest it's nice and safe because it's majority white people. Sound like heaven to a California white boy

  • @WillowWhispers
    @WillowWhispers Рік тому +2

    I grew up on the East side of Des Moines within walking distance of the capitol. Spent many summers exploring it as well as the Historical Society.

    • @pablopicaro7649
      @pablopicaro7649 Рік тому

      when I was a kid remember a run down old neighborhood being Raized to build the Historical Building

  • @tomweiss9600
    @tomweiss9600 3 місяці тому

    Had the same experience last year doing a cross-country trip.
    Went to Des Moines with very low expectations and fell in love with the people and the place. Now I'm thinking of moving there (from Long Island, NY). But please don't make it too popular!

  • @JeffMathias
    @JeffMathias Рік тому +4

    Insurance capital, lots of banks too, low traffic, centrally located capital with converging Interstates 80 and 35, low crime, affordable, extensive downtown skywalk keeps your toes warm in winter but saps street life too, mostly friendly, staid, mostly low energy, state is controlled by rural conservatives, easy airport access, limited non stop destinations. Most residents with money are in western suburbs.

  • @benabshire5200
    @benabshire5200 Рік тому +3

    Nick talks about how awesome the people are and then at 5:45 homie illegally passed you looks like going well above the speed limit and cutting it close to the oncoming truck lol. But for real, visited Des Moines on a trip to visit a friend who moved to Indianola for college and I had good thoughts about Des Moines. The only knock I'd give it (that I even remember) was the smell. The air smelt stale or old, might just be the agriculture surrounding the city. But that seemed to be all of Iowa not just Des Moines. 10/10 would visit again! And great vid!

    • @BlueSky-gu2bx
      @BlueSky-gu2bx 8 місяців тому

      Yes I noticed that smell also. I visited Waukee mostly and the smell of manure or fertilizer, was very strong for the several days I was there It didn't last all day though thankfully. Other wise I was very impressed with the Des Moines area. It really is a hidden gem in this country, and I'd hate to see it ruined by a massive population increase. When places are advertised to much for a good quality of life. People start moving in and ruin the place.

  • @felippuente1909
    @felippuente1909 Рік тому

    I would like to hear from you. Thank you Nick.

  • @moosefactory133
    @moosefactory133 Рік тому +2

    Des Moines looks like a very inviting place in the summer.

    • @ninbendoyt3203
      @ninbendoyt3203 9 місяців тому +1

      I think the largest skatepark in the us is in des Moines

    • @juliennossuli8742
      @juliennossuli8742 4 місяці тому

      In the summer… in the winter it’s -45 and multiple feet of snow😭

  • @mvteubes
    @mvteubes Рік тому +3

    I like your videos on Iowa because I live in Iowa.

    • @feenixpg3d
      @feenixpg3d Рік тому +1

      cool! do you live in Des Moines?

  • @KTHR56
    @KTHR56 Рік тому +8

    I’ve lived in Des Moines for 95% of my life. It’s a great place to live.
    The metro population is growing as you said, but Des Moines population itself is shrinking. All in all, it’s currently at about 750k.
    Downtown is busy but getting more dangerous. The area you identified as Wrigleyville is actually The Court Avenue Entertainment District. I’ve never heard it called Wrigleyville. However, I would not be down there on the weekends late because there is always issues.
    There has been lots of issues with the homeless situation along with lots of shootings and stabbings.
    I would agree with Joe, but expand on it. We’ve seen the issues with Chicago here along with Waterloo and Fort Dodge. There is tons to do here if you know where to look.

    • @nicklouis7497
      @nicklouis7497 Рік тому

      hey do you know any private landlords I can contact in Iowa I really need a apartment

    • @gottogoalltheway
      @gottogoalltheway Рік тому +1

      ​@nicklouis7497
      Nope we do not need more people coming into our state

    • @gottogoalltheway
      @gottogoalltheway Рік тому +1

      ​@nicklouis7497
      Nope we do not need more people coming into our state

  • @sunshineinrain1628
    @sunshineinrain1628 4 місяці тому

    It felt like Pauly Shore was telling me I should live in Des Moines.😂 You sound just like him!

  • @bobfitzpatrick8952
    @bobfitzpatrick8952 Рік тому

    I've been there, and enjoyed it. Near the capitol building is a really nice veteran's memorial. I like Iowa in general, and as mentioned in the comments, the people are really friendly.

  • @jesseyoung7855
    @jesseyoung7855 Рік тому +5

    It's interesting, each person's impression says a lot about their personality. You can find a bit of everything, if you know where to look.

  • @dubuque1
    @dubuque1 Рік тому +5

    Will you or have you been to Dubuque ?

  • @saylesspls1814
    @saylesspls1814 Рік тому +1

    Been in Iowa for a year now love it

  • @rileyw8258
    @rileyw8258 Рік тому

    I’ve grew up in Johnston suburb of Des Moines. I’ve live in 6 other states and I always end up back in Iowa the best place ever.