Long gone are the days where people thought flyover country was little more than miles and miles of cornfields, farms, and the occasional (and rare) hill, and cities like Des Moines, Iowa, can take the credit for that.
Literally topped with a crown of gold, the capital city of Iowa was named one of the best U.S. cities to live in by U.S. News and was the Midwest’s fastest-growing city in 2017. So, are you one of the many who daily consider making the move Des Moines? If you’re on the fence, here a number of solid reasons to make the plunge.
There’s plenty of work in Iowa
According to U.S. News, the cost of doing business in Des Moines is 15 percent lower than the national average, making it an attractive spot for future businesses and a great current home for many businesses in insurance industry, including EMC Insurance, Nationwide/Allied Insurance, and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
Outside of insurance, Des Moines is also a part of the Silicon Prairie, being named an up-and-coming tech hotspot. Combine this with the cities current 2.9% unemployment—read that as full employment—and you’re sure to land a job.
Get more housing bang for your buck in Des Moines
Sure, housing may be slightly more expensive in the suburb cities of Ankeny or West Des Moines, but even then the cost of housing in the Des Moines Metro is far below the national average with roughly $40,000 more going into your pocket and not your house each year by comparison.
Des Moines was even named the top city for Millennial homebuyers by LendingTree.
We have the DTFM
Each Saturday beginning in May, people of Des Moines and beyond flock to 5th Ave and Water Street in the historic Court District for the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market, which features 300 vendors from 50 different counties. Locals love it for its people- and pet-friendly atmosphere as well as the selection of foods, jewelry and other items. It was even named among the top 25 farmers markets in the country by Parade.
So whether you’re looking for a breakfast burrito, a fresh set of earrings, or maybe just an excuse to get around some friendly faces, DTFM is for you.
Iowa State Fair is in Des Moines
Speaking of Iowa farmers, we’d be remiss if we did not mention the famous Iowa State Fair. Known as one of the best state fairs in the country, the Iowa State Fair is like the DTFM on steroids, with every food imaginable found on a stick, a 10-acre Midway, and—of course—the annual 600-lb butter cow.
If you go, we recommend the honey lemonade and the double bacon corndog.
Des Moines art scene is one you have to see
As if jobs and housing wasn’t enough to break the idea of flyover country, Des Moines pulls out all the stops with its art scene. The city was named one of the most artistics medium-sized cities in the countries by Expedia. Des Moines earned its ranks due to a supportive community and amazing outlets such as the Des Moines Art Center and the Des Moines Civic Center as well as events and organizations such as the Des Moines Arts Festival and the Des Moines Performing Arts.
All of this, no doubt, is given amazing support by the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation.
You can be happy in Des Moines
Simply put, people are happier in the Midwest, and Des Moines is no exception. We make eye contact, smile, wave, and even give a good-natured “hello,” because while we may not know each other, there are very few strangers here.
Des Moines is so great, WalletHub even has mathematical proof that it ranks among the top 25 happiest cities in the country.
So, want to join in the happiness? Storage can help while you relocate, and we can even help you maximize your downtown apartment while you live here.
