Moving to Des Moines – 10 Must Knows
(Especially if you’re coming from a big city)
- You need a car. 20 minutes to everything.
- Buses are available but most bus stops I’ve seen don’t have anywhere to sit and no shade or cover. There’s a common saying here that every where you need to go is 20 minutes away. That’s WITH a car. Imagine without one…
If you really can’t do a car when moving here, just make sure to choose a home with almost everything you need nearby.
- Buses are available but most bus stops I’ve seen don’t have anywhere to sit and no shade or cover. There’s a common saying here that every where you need to go is 20 minutes away. That’s WITH a car. Imagine without one…
- You don’t need to bring your big city driving with you.
- It’s chill here guys. Less traffic, less hurry, less aggression. Let’s keep it that way.
- It’s chill here guys. Less traffic, less hurry, less aggression. Let’s keep it that way.
- Uber and Lyft IS available. But beware of TIMING.
- Early and late night rides have very limited availability. And this isn’t New York. The only time you see Taxis is at the airport and even then, it’s only a couple options. So if you plan on flying in at a 10pm or later flight, try to have a ride prepared in advance.
- Early and late night rides have very limited availability. And this isn’t New York. The only time you see Taxis is at the airport and even then, it’s only a couple options. So if you plan on flying in at a 10pm or later flight, try to have a ride prepared in advance.
- Garage Sales and Thrift Stores are HUGE here.
- So if you’re worried about buying things for your new home, you can rest easy, there are plenty of really good options. It might take some time to source every single thing but not too long. Just be patient.
- So if you’re worried about buying things for your new home, you can rest easy, there are plenty of really good options. It might take some time to source every single thing but not too long. Just be patient.
- Natural Disasters DO exist here. Tornados Galore.
- Ok, it’s not THAT bad. The outskirts and farm areas are much riskier. But if you’re like me, coming from Miami happy that I’d be leaving the Hurricane season behind me, just beware. You’re just swapping hurricanes for tornados.
- Ok, it’s not THAT bad. The outskirts and farm areas are much riskier. But if you’re like me, coming from Miami happy that I’d be leaving the Hurricane season behind me, just beware. You’re just swapping hurricanes for tornados.
- Open Late is reserved mostly for Mexican Food and Walmart.
- If you’re looking for food after 9pm, your options are slim. It’s not impossible but if you wait till 10pm, you’re REALLY pushing it. Some bars close at 2am but they stop serving food way before that. Mexican spots have thankfully saved the day on the occasional late night cravings.
- If you’re looking for food after 9pm, your options are slim. It’s not impossible but if you wait till 10pm, you’re REALLY pushing it. Some bars close at 2am but they stop serving food way before that. Mexican spots have thankfully saved the day on the occasional late night cravings.
- There’s plenty to do.
- Especially in the summer and fall. There are so many farmers markets, festivals, carnivals, community outings, fun parks, concerts, MiLB games, and more. And of course, you can find the usual indoor entertainment: arcades, theatres, bowling, etc. Spring and winter is less busy with events but there’s still plenty of places to go for indoor fun. And they’ve got indoor adult rec leagues too!
- Especially in the summer and fall. There are so many farmers markets, festivals, carnivals, community outings, fun parks, concerts, MiLB games, and more. And of course, you can find the usual indoor entertainment: arcades, theatres, bowling, etc. Spring and winter is less busy with events but there’s still plenty of places to go for indoor fun. And they’ve got indoor adult rec leagues too!
- Trails for miles.
- For biking and walking, it’s amazing. Shaded, safe, and never ending. I once rode 22 miles roundtrip riding from the Johnston (northern DSM) to Downtown DSM and didn’t have to cross any dangerous roads to get there. These trails are mostly flat so if you’re a mountain biker, this isn’t much of that.
- For biking and walking, it’s amazing. Shaded, safe, and never ending. I once rode 22 miles roundtrip riding from the Johnston (northern DSM) to Downtown DSM and didn’t have to cross any dangerous roads to get there. These trails are mostly flat so if you’re a mountain biker, this isn’t much of that.
- Great Church options.
- I found my home church on the first try. Church shopping can be overwhelming but it’s nice that there are so many nearby options so even if it takes a few tries, you won’t have to travel too far for it. PLUS, so many of these churches have amazing community events which is always helpful when you’re new somewhere.
- I found my home church on the first try. Church shopping can be overwhelming but it’s nice that there are so many nearby options so even if it takes a few tries, you won’t have to travel too far for it. PLUS, so many of these churches have amazing community events which is always helpful when you’re new somewhere.
- Surprisingly diverse.
- No, it’s not Miami, New York, LA, or Austin diverse. But I was pleasantly surprised to find so many international markets and to realize that I would run into different races every time I went outside.
Of course, the majority is obvious. But there are way more Asians, Black, and Latino than I thought there would be and that’s amazing.
Full Disclaimer: Food is really good in a lot of places, but it’s not nearly as diverse as you’d find in other big cities.
- No, it’s not Miami, New York, LA, or Austin diverse. But I was pleasantly surprised to find so many international markets and to realize that I would run into different races every time I went outside.
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