Depends on the small town and depends on where youa re in Des Moines... Downtown Valley Junction... feels VERY similar to downtown Adel Iowa.... would you agree?
Go to work for Des Moines for work every other month and love staying there. It’s a very safe city and people are down to earth. Hoping to move here or Cedar Rapids in 2025 or 26. Cost living near St. Louis is getting to be too much and the traffic is horrible. I spent my childhood in Iowa so I was an original native there in the small towns near Waterloo.
The ONLY con I see is the winters, and of course someone from Minnesota or Canada will laugh but anyone coming from the deep south like Louisiana, Florida will be shocked! I can only see Des Moines growing more and more in the future it has a lot to offer.
True Story: Traveling from Texas to Northern Iowa in December along I-35 with my wife and one year old son. We met the front of a nasty winter storm about one mile south of the highway 20 exit. The car hit a patch of black ice and spun out of control into a snow covered ditch. Behind me was a local Iowa trucker who witnessed the spinout and saw my son strapped into his infant seat in the back seat. He pulled over, checked that we were okay, placed a chain on the front of my car and pulled me out of the ditch. He shook my hand, said he stopped because of the baby in the car, and left. I was too shook up to get his name and contact information. We made it to our destination in a small Iowa town where the local auto repair shop went overboard to fix the significant damage to my car during the Christmas weekend. The local priest in town actually blessed the car before we left town. We had no trouble with that car for the next ten years. That is Iowa!.
@@Livingindesmoines Urbandale (near Waukee/Grimes new area) just west of the job I took. I’m from the Chicago area and love the low level of stress out here!
@@JP4MEDIA Yes that is a heavily developing area of the metro (developing in a good way) great roads without crazy traffic and easy to access some great resturantes! Downside, is the groceries stores seem to be missing form the area haha
@@Livingindesmoines I know! I usually hit the Hy-Vee in Waukee or Grimes during my lunch hour so I can get in and out quickly but hoping for more out this way!
It’s cold, but if you wear a nice heavy jacket from your home to your vehicle, you rarely have to deal with a cold. The electric/natural gas heating source very rarely goes out for extended period of time. Unless you’re living rural, Iowa I don’t remember a time where it was off more than a few hours in the winter. If you’re anything like me, you know, there’s still risk there though. And you could make sure that you buy a place with the fireplace giving you back up heat source.
Excellent idea and fact needing a fireplace in cold states. I am a senior now, and that kind of cold probably isn't the best option for me now. @@Livingindesmoines
wdm, Clive, Urbandale Waukee needs to give incentives & priority to Variety which is lacking in a big. way, all the same food, same coffee spots, same sports bars , franchises,... !.
I’m in San Antonio and looking at options, husband is working at USAA here I see a lot of high paying finance jobs. And I’m tired of sweating my ass of for 3 months here
Lot of finance companies here. But unsure of the pay strcutur compared to San Antonio! And regarding sweat... we do have. a few hot weeks/months... but not 3 stright!
The land that you can get here that is only 30 mins out of the city is amazing... almost No communite and still rural if you want it! Happy to jump on a call and share more to help you decide for or against the Des Moines area!
Please take your hat off. Coach Bear Bryant said that his mother always taught him to take off his hat off when he was inside the house. He did so even when playing for a national championship in the Sugar Bowl. Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend despite the hot weather that is moving in, but not for all as soon Fall weather will be upon us in Iowa.
@@Livingindesmoinesi like the hat! thanks for the video. looking to move to Des Moines soon from CO. it’s too crowded here and the cost of living is absurd
@@Livingindesmoines i’m looking at “Des Moines Proper” as you put it and West Des Moines. like you said in this video though, you can drive through Des Moines fairly quickly so it almost sounds like I can live wherever, I’ll always be in driving distance?
@@boredapathetic Yes Des Moines proper is really small regarding driving distance, you could live any part and have a 10-15 min drive across the rest of Des Moines Proper. Send me a message I'd be happy to help you pick which side!
I’m waiting to potentially join the Union Pacific Railroad in Des Moines. I have a wife and two sons (6)(2) and a dog. I’d love to have some correspondence with you. Christian churches are tough to feel out via web sites, but are crucial for my family. Schools come after, then commute to the RR.
Hey Grant, sorry I didnt see this comment before! Send me an email or call me! Lets talk, i have many opinions on what you are looking for here in the Des Moines area for your family!
Biking is the best non-car transportation in my experience although I've never tried to go an entire week riding the bus system. Definily will depend heavily on where you live, the closer to downtown the easier the bus system will be to use
What part of town would you suggest for a 32 y/o single professional moving to Des Moines? I’d be working at the VA medical center. Coming from the west coast.
Good afternoon! I’m considering moving to Iowa with my children this year. I have four children and one of them is autistic. I’m looking for a city that is safe and has great schools. Plz help 😊
We really like ankeny Iowa, I have one question though, our family is diverse is that going to be a problem as far as my mom being able to be a small business owner of a pediatric chiropractic office? Do you foresee or ever hear about people not liking diverse families or choosing somewhere else because of the Dr. diverse family?
I don't forsee any issues with a divers business owner in the area! Might even be embraced more for it. I know there are minority business owner grants and funding for those folks also! Let me know if I can help!
See now I'm actually going to have to come out there before we move out there which is something I'm really bad at doing I always just move places without ever going because if Iowa nice is anything like Minnesota nice the people are creepy
HAHAH oh we have our fair share of OVERLY friendlys... I did a whole segment on that on my future 2024 Pros and Cons that will be released come December! Good luck!@@allaboutmookie3688
I am relocating to take a job out in Grimes this summer, and I’m currently looking for apartments. I’ve seen mixed opinions in regards to traffic around Des Moines. Were I to get a place in Des Moines, would you say about 30 minutes would be a good ballpark number for a commute from Des Moines to Grimes? Apologies if that’s a dumb question, I truly have no idea about what life is like in Des Moines or Iowa in general, haha. Cheers from Colorado, for now!
Please keep in mind Des Moines & the suburban areas in Iowa are much different politically & socially than rural towns. Homophobia is rampant in rural Iowa!
Help me understand... you were hoping to get more house for the $$? I just looked and San Antonio median sale price is $275K and Des Moines is $207K. Obviously depending on the suburb you live in that will change drastically but does show that Des Moines is lower priced properties that San Antonio
![Where to Live in Des Moines Metro [EVERTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DMObjL7LsR4/mqdefault.jpg)
![[2024] Top 14 Places to Live in Des Moines](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3SbkSfuGUPg/mqdefault.jpg)
![Pros and Cons of Living in Davenport Iowa [2023 UPDATE]](/img/n.gif)
THINKING ABOUT MOVING AND HAVE QUESTIONS?
Call/Text Me Direct at (515) 612-6013
Free Real Estate Consultation (Zoom Call): calendly.com/darsongrantham
I'm a Des Moines native, born and raised. Des Moines and small town Iowa are completely different atmospheres.
Depends on the small town and depends on where youa re in Des Moines... Downtown Valley Junction... feels VERY similar to downtown Adel Iowa.... would you agree?
Small town native, born and raised
Totally agree lol
@@Livingindesmoines but these do no compare to towns in rural Iowa Eldora, Corning, or Sac City!
Go to work for Des Moines for work every other month and love staying there. It’s a very safe city and people are down to earth. Hoping to move here or Cedar Rapids in 2025 or 26. Cost living near St. Louis is getting to be too much and the traffic is horrible. I spent my childhood in Iowa so I was an original native there in the small towns near Waterloo.
The ONLY con I see is the winters, and of course someone from Minnesota or Canada will laugh but anyone coming from the deep south like Louisiana, Florida will be shocked! I can only see Des Moines growing more and more in the future it has a lot to offer.
I'm trying so hard not to be bias, but man i agree 100%, and even the weather is only bad if you have incorrect expectations :)
True Story: Traveling from Texas to Northern Iowa in December along I-35 with my wife and one year old son. We met the front of a nasty winter storm about one mile south of the highway 20 exit. The car hit a patch of black ice and spun out of control into a snow covered ditch. Behind me was a local Iowa trucker who witnessed the spinout and saw my son strapped into his infant seat in the back seat. He pulled over, checked that we were okay, placed a chain on the front of my car and pulled me out of the ditch. He shook my hand, said he stopped because of the baby in the car, and left. I was too shook up to get his name and contact information. We made it to our destination in a small Iowa town where the local auto repair shop went overboard to fix the significant damage to my car during the Christmas weekend. The local priest in town actually blessed the car before we left town. We had no trouble with that car for the next ten years. That is Iowa!.
love this story!! So fun!
7:02 OMG that changed the mood in an instant.
glad you thought so!! Made a difference for me
Should have mentioned bicycling and trails
100% I should do a whole new video on this!! Maybe for 2024 (seems so far yet so close!!)
Great video man. I moved here 2 years ago and happy with
that choice!
Thanks for those kind words!! Curious what community did you choose and why? (to help me guide others when moving to the area)
@@Livingindesmoines Urbandale (near Waukee/Grimes new area) just west of the job I took. I’m from the Chicago area and love the low level of stress out here!
@@JP4MEDIA Yes that is a heavily developing area of the metro (developing in a good way) great roads without crazy traffic and easy to access some great resturantes! Downside, is the groceries stores seem to be missing form the area haha
@@Livingindesmoines I know! I usually hit the Hy-Vee in Waukee or Grimes during my lunch hour so I can get in and out quickly but hoping for more out this way!
This was an awesome video. Thank you.
Ah! Thank you! Glad it was helpful!
Excellent video! Thank you. That winter cold sounds frightening. 😨Does the electricity stay put for heating in the winter? Senior concerns.
It’s cold, but if you wear a nice heavy jacket from your home to your vehicle, you rarely have to deal with a cold.
The electric/natural gas heating source very rarely goes out for extended period of time. Unless you’re living rural, Iowa I don’t remember a time where it was off more than a few hours in the winter.
If you’re anything like me, you know, there’s still risk there though. And you could make sure that you buy a place with the fireplace giving you back up heat source.
Excellent idea and fact needing a fireplace in cold states. I am a senior now, and that kind of cold probably isn't the best option for me now. @@Livingindesmoines
@@birdlynn417 I get it! Don't laugh, but we have a lot of seniors here, you'd fit right in! :)
wdm, Clive, Urbandale Waukee needs to give incentives & priority to Variety which is lacking in a big. way, all the same food, same coffee spots, same sports bars , franchises,... !.
I’m in San Antonio and looking at options, husband is working at USAA here I see a lot of high paying finance jobs. And I’m tired of sweating my ass of for 3 months here
Lot of finance companies here. But unsure of the pay strcutur compared to San Antonio! And regarding sweat... we do have. a few hot weeks/months... but not 3 stright!
Gonna sell my ranch outside of Austin soon. Looking for a new home city. Been looking at your city. Kinda like it.
The land that you can get here that is only 30 mins out of the city is amazing... almost No communite and still rural if you want it! Happy to jump on a call and share more to help you decide for or against the Des Moines area!
Wow, nice, I planned to move into this state for Teaching job.
I’m actually helping a teacher find a place this week! She is moving from AZ!
Please take your hat off. Coach Bear Bryant said that his mother always taught him to take off his hat off when he was inside the house. He did so even when playing for a national championship in the Sugar Bowl. Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend despite the hot weather that is moving in, but not for all as soon Fall weather will be upon us in Iowa.
with all due respect.. to you and to Coach Bear Bryant... I'll keep my hat on and people may just like it ;)
@@Livingindesmoinesi like the hat! thanks for the video. looking to move to Des Moines soon from CO. it’s too crowded here and the cost of living is absurd
@boredapathetic thanks! I’m kind of a hat guy as you can see in most of my videos.
What areas of Des Moines are you most interested in?
@@Livingindesmoines i’m looking at “Des Moines Proper” as you put it and West Des Moines. like you said in this video though, you can drive through Des Moines fairly quickly so it almost sounds like I can live wherever, I’ll always be in driving distance?
@@boredapathetic Yes Des Moines proper is really small regarding driving distance, you could live any part and have a 10-15 min drive across the rest of Des Moines Proper. Send me a message I'd be happy to help you pick which side!
There's no dangerous neighborhoods in Des Moines. Thats a plus
Oakridge isn't a bad neighborhood? What about Riverbend? Those two should help get you started.
Not in my experience, yes higher crime in some areas and lower income in some areas but dangerous? Not imo
I’m waiting to potentially join the Union Pacific Railroad in Des Moines. I have a wife and two sons (6)(2) and a dog. I’d love to have some correspondence with you. Christian churches are tough to feel out via web sites, but are crucial for my family. Schools come after, then commute to the RR.
Hey Grant, sorry I didnt see this comment before! Send me an email or call me! Lets talk, i have many opinions on what you are looking for here in the Des Moines area for your family!
how is public transportation? do you need a car to live in des moines ?
There are some busses, but that's it. I know lots of people that commute by bike tho. Dedicated trails all across town
Biking is the best non-car transportation in my experience although I've never tried to go an entire week riding the bus system. Definily will depend heavily on where you live, the closer to downtown the easier the bus system will be to use
😂😂 that moment you turn your hat
HAHA it was so natural!! 100% not scripted!
What part of town would you suggest for a 32 y/o single professional moving to Des Moines? I’d be working at the VA medical center.
Coming from the west coast.
I’d need to know more about hobbies that your age! Send me an email! I’ll respond pretty quickly
South Side or directly downtown area.
Good afternoon! I’m considering moving to Iowa with my children this year. I have four children and one of them is autistic. I’m looking for a city that is safe and has great schools. Plz help 😊
Oh my goodness this is an amazing community to support you! Please reach out I’d love to make some intros for you!
We really like ankeny Iowa, I have one question though, our family is diverse is that going to be a problem as far as my mom being able to be a small business owner of a pediatric chiropractic office? Do you foresee or ever hear about people not liking diverse families or choosing somewhere else because of the Dr. diverse family?
I don't forsee any issues with a divers business owner in the area! Might even be embraced more for it. I know there are minority business owner grants and funding for those folks also! Let me know if I can help!
We visited and we didn’t love it. No offense. We enjoyed your walking areas around the city.
Not Iowa trying to steal the phrase Minnesota nice😂
See now I'm actually going to have to come out there before we move out there which is something I'm really bad at doing I always just move places without ever going because if Iowa nice is anything like Minnesota nice the people are creepy
HAHAH oh we have our fair share of OVERLY friendlys... I did a whole segment on that on my future 2024 Pros and Cons that will be released come December! Good luck!@@allaboutmookie3688
Property taxes per $1,000 are higher in Iowa than California!
Yes I've heard that from others... but in Iowa they are used 150% better by the city/state/local governements HAHA
@@Livingindesmoines not where I live...
@@timnewman1172 Tell me more! You are disappointed with your local government?
@@darsongrantham yes.
I am relocating to take a job out in Grimes this summer, and I’m currently looking for apartments. I’ve seen mixed opinions in regards to traffic around Des Moines. Were I to get a place in Des Moines, would you say about 30 minutes would be a good ballpark number for a commute from Des Moines to Grimes? Apologies if that’s a dumb question, I truly have no idea about what life is like in Des Moines or Iowa in general, haha. Cheers from Colorado, for now!
Yes, I’d say about 30 minutes would be a commute from Grimes to downtown Des Moines!
Did you move?
@@scarletthoxie5589 they changed my location to Omaha, Nebraska. I actually moved today, but not to Grimes unfortunately haha
@@codyfromhumanresources6435amazon?
Please keep in mind Des Moines & the suburban areas in Iowa are much different politically & socially than rural towns. Homophobia is rampant in rural Iowa!
Rampant? pretty strong words... But 100% agree the smaller communities are Much more conservative in values. Look at any political voting map.
And I’m looking at home prices… not that impressed. We have 4 children
Help me understand... you were hoping to get more house for the $$? I just looked and San Antonio median sale price is $275K and Des Moines is $207K. Obviously depending on the suburb you live in that will change drastically but does show that Des Moines is lower priced properties that San Antonio
@@Livingindesmoines I forgot I had setting for pool in home or community for San Antonio
oh ya, not too many median sale price homes with pools here. @@WanderlustingDunfords
@@Livingindesmoines told my husband about it he said no :( I hate these hot summers
"Promo sm" 😁
??
No way
Yes way
Des Moines is only 200k people! Not even close to 700k what are you talking about?
The metro is 700K, you are correct Des Moines Proper is around 200-250K. Does that help explain more?
Roads are horrible
as in the directions and getting around or the potholes? :)
@@Livingindesmoines: Two seasons in Midwest-winter and repair the streets. But repairing often doesn't keep up with winter.
Have you been to Illinois or S.Dakota? Iowa still has decent roads. But we do lead the nation in unsafe bridges...
@@timnewman1172 interesting stat... never have I crossed a bridge here and been wondering if i'd make it lol