Des Moines is the capital of the state of Iowa and its most populous city. It is a major financial hub for worldwide commerce, currently ranked as the third largest insurance hotspot. It is the seat of Polk County and brings together five separate counties into one metropolitan area. Overall, this area has over half a million residents, with around two hundred thousand of them living in Des Moines proper.
If you're considering a move to the Midwest for economic reasons, Des Moines is a very good choice. In fact, Forbes magazine has twice ranked Des Moines as the best city in which to do business in the U.S. Other publications have called it the wealthiest city in the nation, according to varying criteria. Several world-famous insurance businesses have headquarters and hubs in Des Moines, making it a prime location for anyone in the industry to grow in experience and expertise. The importance of Des Moines leads other major financial corporations outside the state to establish branches in the Des Moines area as a way to increase prestige and business.
Culture and performing arts are both very popular with locals and visitors alike. An arts center, several museums, an opera, an orchestral hall, and a ballet are some of the best places in Des Moines to get a taste of the arts. Other attractions include the Iowa Historical Museum and indoor botanical garden that is home to over fifteen thousand varieties of exotic plants.
In terms of transportation, Des Moines created an extensive skywalk within its central core. The walkway spans over four miles in total, currently one of the largest systems of its kind in the U.S. The main public transport system, known as DART, is comprised entirely of buses for the time being. Luckily, the routes are fairly extensive and include many buses that visit the outskirts of the city and beyond, for commuters who need to go a bit further.
The climate tends to give warm to hot summers and very cold winters, though there are cases where the city and state experience mild winters that are more typical of autumn. Weather patterns throughout the year can change at a moment's notice; any Des Moines native will tell you that if you don't like the weather, you can just wait five minutes.
Des Moines is an excellent place to settle if you're looking to save more money and lower cost of living. The state, in general, is one of the best places for cutting living costs. And while you may pay a bit more as Des Moines is a much more metropolitan area, it's still low compared to much of the rest of the country.
With so many great job opportunities in finance and other markets, a host of venues for arts and leisure, and excellent cost of living, finding the right spot in Des Moines might seem daunting. AreaVibes can help you get a leg up on the research using our search system. You'll be able to specify your budget and factors like education, employment, commuting options and more in order to find the best places to live in Des Moines.