Name: Des Moines, IA
Rating: 0.0

( 26 Ratings )

Living in Des Moines, IA

Ranks better than 83% of areas Follow

Population

215,408

Median Age

34.0 Years

Des Moines Area Facts

Des Moines has a Livability Score of 83_/100, which is considered exceptional
Des Moines crime rates are 50% higher than the Iowa average
Cost of living in Des Moines is 1% higher than the Iowa average

What do the locals think about Des Moines?

82%

Family friendly

50%

Public transit is accessible

50%

Walkable to grocery stores

64%

Yards are well-kept

59%

Lots of parks

59%

Walkable to restaurants

Friendly neighbors

Safe at night

Pet friendly

Streets have sidewalks

55%

A quiet area

55%

Sense of community

Based on 22 votes from AreaVibes users. Take the poll

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Des Moines Reviews

Write a review about Des Moines Tell people what you like or don't like about Des Moines…

Des Moines a Great Place to See 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jan 13, 2015) I have lived in Des Moines for quite a few many years, it is one of the few places in the USA that has not been hit as hard by the recession as some of the other larger cities. Des Moines like anywhere has some crime and gang activity, though it has gone down in recent years. Som ...Read More e of the neighborhoods in the east and northeast of the city are a bit tougher, but they aren't like the slums or ghetto. Traffic can be annoying at times, but it's not a huge issue, especially if you know the back roads to avoid the freeway.

During the summer there is a lot to do. There are plenty of art festivals, concerts and other attractions to keep you more than busy. There is the WineFest, LatinoFest, there is Lazerfest as well as the Iowa State Fair. The downtown East Village, downtown is full of great restaurants and shopping. In the wintertime there is plenty to do as well, we have a professional hockey team, a basketball team, a Skating rink, and there are always holiday events. We have a great art environment, the Civic Center puts on Broadway shows, the Des Moines Playhouse puts on some great shows as well, and if you are in the mood for a night of classical music we have the Des Moines Symphony.

There are a lot of visitors that feel we are not very friendly or welcoming. We are very friendly, a lot of tourists have strange views of life in Iowa. They perceive us as having a limited viewpoint on the world. The interesting thing is Des Moines has been rated as one of the top Ten U.S. Cities to raise a family, rent a house, start a business and be a patriotic American. We have a lot to offer, but if you are looking for a New York mentality in Des Moines you won't find it here and will probably not be very happy living here. Read Less

Great place to raise your family!! 4.5 rating By Iowagirl ( Jun 25, 2013) I have lived in Des Moines for 40 years, when my family moved here in 1973. I know people in other places like to make jokes about Des Moines, but that is because they don't know anything about Des Moines!

If you are visiting in the summer, there is a lot to do. We have Art Fest ...Read More ivals, WineFest, Latinofest, Asianfest, the 80/35 concert, Lazerfest, ( and frankly all kinds touring bands come to Wells Fargo Arena alll year round) and of course the Iowa State Fair. I guarantee you have never been to a fair before if you haven't been to this one!
Our East Village downtown is full of great places to eat and shop.

In the Winter we have a professional hockey team , basketball team, the Brenton Skating rink, and Holiday and New Years events.

Our Civic Center hosts Broadway shows, and we also have the Des Moines Playhouse, and the Des Moines Symphony.

I could go on and on. I do not agree with the other review that said we do not make people feel welcome. We are very welcoming, and this is a great place to live. Neighbors are friendly and schools are really good. The economy is thriving here, so if you are willing to move and take a chance, I think you will love living in Des Moines! Read Less

All American Des Moines, Iowa 4 rating By Anonymous ( Dec 19, 2011) For opinions on the good and not so good of Des Moines, Iowa you must be selective in choosing who you ask. Few cities evoke such varied opinions from people. The situation is this.

If you have lived in Des Moines, as some of my family, for over five years, you can easily give ...Read More a list of great things about Des Moines. There are at least fifty great family oriented attractions in or near Des Moines.

If you are new to the city or have moved to Des Moines from a larger city on the east or west coast of America there will not be many good things you have to say about Des Moines. I feel that is not fair, but there are some valid reasons for that point of view.

The people of Iowa, in general, do not make newcomers feel welcomed. Des Moines citizens feel that outsiders, as they put it, have strange views not compatible with life in Iowa. Newcomers feel the people who live there are, in general, simple people with limited viewpoints on life and the world.

Here are some of the reasons that Des Moines is a great place for families to live, unless you relocated from San Diego, Los Angeles or any other major east or west coast city.

Major American media and publications have rated Des Moines in the top Ten U.S. Cities to raise a family, be a renter, start a business and be a proud American.

If there were any valid negatives, they would center on a hard to control problem that comes and goes. There is some history of past gang activity in parts of the city. However, Des Moines rates as one of the safest places to live in America. You should decide for yourself. Read Less

The Lovely City of Des Moines, IA 3.5 rating By Anonymous ( May 05, 2010) I spent a week visiting colleges in the Upper Midwest during the summer of 2006. My family spent a day in Des Moines, touring Drake University and spending time in the city. I did not have high anticipations for Des Moines, simply because I had long subscribed to the stereotype o ...Read More f Iowa being one massive field of corn. I figured that Des Moines would be extremely dull.

Turns out that I was wrong. Des Moines is not the most exciting city I've ever visited, but it has plenty of attractions to see and some great food at various restaurants in the city. I was most impressed by the Iowa State Capital building, which I found absolutely stunning. It has a huge gold dome that looks beautiful during sunset. After visiting the capital, my family stopped by the Des Moines Farmers market for some fresh fruit and checked out the many vendors, who sold everything from handmade jewelry to goat milk soaps. If you enjoy steak, try a restaurant in Des Moines called Johnny's Italian Steakhouse. The steaks at this popular Des Moines restaurant are charbroiled to perfection!

Although I ended up choosing another college over Drake, I'm sure that I would have enjoyed spending my college years in Des Moines and often think back to what it would have been like had I chosen Drake. Read Less

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All American Des Moines, Iowa 4 rating By Anonymous ( Dec 19, 2011) For opinions on the good and not so good of Des Moines, Iowa you must be selective in choosing who you ask. Few cities evoke such varied opinions from people. The situation is this.

If you have lived in Des Moines, as some of my family, for over five years, you can easily give ...Read More a list of great things about Des Moines. There are at least fifty great family oriented attractions in or near Des Moines.

If you are new to the city or have moved to Des Moines from a larger city on the east or west coast of America there will not be many good things you have to say about Des Moines. I feel that is not fair, but there are some valid reasons for that point of view.

The people of Iowa, in general, do not make newcomers feel welcomed. Des Moines citizens feel that outsiders, as they put it, have strange views not compatible with life in Iowa. Newcomers feel the people who live there are, in general, simple people with limited viewpoints on life and the world.

Here are some of the reasons that Des Moines is a great place for families to live, unless you relocated from San Diego, Los Angeles or any other major east or west coast city.

Major American media and publications have rated Des Moines in the top Ten U.S. Cities to raise a family, be a renter, start a business and be a proud American.

If there were any valid negatives, they would center on a hard to control problem that comes and goes. There is some history of past gang activity in parts of the city. However, Des Moines rates as one of the safest places to live in America. You should decide for yourself. Read Less

The Lovely City of Des Moines, IA 3.5 rating By Anonymous ( May 05, 2010) I spent a week visiting colleges in the Upper Midwest during the summer of 2006. My family spent a day in Des Moines, touring Drake University and spending time in the city. I did not have high anticipations for Des Moines, simply because I had long subscribed to the stereotype o ...Read More f Iowa being one massive field of corn. I figured that Des Moines would be extremely dull.

Turns out that I was wrong. Des Moines is not the most exciting city I've ever visited, but it has plenty of attractions to see and some great food at various restaurants in the city. I was most impressed by the Iowa State Capital building, which I found absolutely stunning. It has a huge gold dome that looks beautiful during sunset. After visiting the capital, my family stopped by the Des Moines Farmers market for some fresh fruit and checked out the many vendors, who sold everything from handmade jewelry to goat milk soaps. If you enjoy steak, try a restaurant in Des Moines called Johnny's Italian Steakhouse. The steaks at this popular Des Moines restaurant are charbroiled to perfection!

Although I ended up choosing another college over Drake, I'm sure that I would have enjoyed spending my college years in Des Moines and often think back to what it would have been like had I chosen Drake. Read Less

Des Moines Awards

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Compare Des Moines, IA Livability

Des Moines, IA

Des Moines is Iowa's capital city, and it has a state capitol building that is literally topped with gold. While the 100 ounces will likely not be traded in for cash any time in the near future, the city is actually in a very good place financially thanks to a solid tax base, strong local governance, and an educated population that has a great work ethic. Des Moines has a population of over 200,000 easily making it the largest city in the state. Wells Fargo is one of the area's top employers as banking and the financial sector play a large role in the city's economy.

As the capital city, Des Moines has the cultural and entertainment options that you would expect to find. The Des Moines Art Center hosts a vast collection of modern art that is on par with many of the leading museums in the country. The Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens is a very interesting looking building that has a futuristic architectural style. Inside the dome, you will find a large collection of flowers from around the globe that are on display throughout the year. The Blank Park Zoo is a family favorite that delights residents with its large collection of animals.

Speaking of animals, Des Moines is one of the leading sectors for farming in America, and many of the bankers who work in the city help finance some of the largest dairy farms and corn farms in the country. One of the perks of living in Des Moines is that housing prices are very affordable when compared with other large cities in the Midwest. Traffic does not seem to be a large problem in Des Moines. For those who do not want to do battle behind the wheel each morning, the Des Moines Area Rapid Transit system, or DART as it is known by the locals, can get you around the city by bus.

Beaverdale, Merle Hay, and Southwestern Hills are just a few neighborhoods in the city that are attractive options for those who are looking to purchase a home. Those who are looking to spend time outdoors can visit the city's Waveland Golf Course that is actually the oldest municipal golf course west of the Mississippi. The weather in Des Moines is not too harsh in the winter, although cold winter winds can see temperatures plunge below zero. Summer months can get hot and sticky, but temperatures rarely hit triple digits.

Des Moines is a very family friendly community that puts a premium on providing its residents a high quality of life. With a great cost of living compared to quality of life, Des Moines is a solid place to call home.