Some fun facts from my time in Iowa’s capitol.
- Iowans are NICE. They even have a hashtag for it: #iowanice. “Iowan ice?” said my friend from South Africa. Well, I guess it doesn’t make the best hashtag, but at least the double meaning is appropriate.
- Traffic – what traffic? “Traffic” is three cars at a red light. None of the horrors of Houston, Atlanta, or even a small but congested town like Charleston.
- The cost of parking has reached astronomical, green-peace, war-on-cars levels. It’s like the cost of parking in Canada minus the great Canadian public transportation system. A parking space downtown costs anywhere from $50 bare bones uncovered lot space to $150 for indoor, climate-controlled garage space. This, combined with the low cost of homes and mass of retail stores twenty minutes away in West Des Moines, is the real reason condos and apartments downtown are empty.
- Des Moines has a skywalk: a network of glassed-encased, climate controlled bridges that connect almost every building downtown. If you work in a building connected to the skywalk, you can stay indoors all day! I was lucky enough to work in an apartment building connected to the skywalk: gold.
- Restricted income housing is common in Des Moines. In most cities, section 8 and tax credit apartment communities aren’t considered desirable places to live. I’m not saying every income-based housing project in Des Moines is shining and safe, but in this city I saw for the first time income-based residents who did not seem disenfranchised, simply low-income. Usually, they were entry level or retail workers or paying on student loans… and living in income-based housing gave them a chance to have their own space when anywhere else, they’d have a roommate or stay with their parents.
- Iowa’s weather in the late fall and winter triggers mad carb cravings. I ate six muffins in two days. I ate bag after bag of Famous Amos cookies. I wondered what was wrong and then realized… the sun hadn’t shone in about seven days! No wonder I was craving.
- I can’t explain it, but one ambulance seems to fly screaming down 8th street at about 7:30 p.m. every night.
Des Moines is a great city: small, easily functioning, fantastic people, unemployment at 3%. What a gem! For anyone looking for something different – how many of your friends have moved to Austin, Seattle, Washington D.C.? – I can recommend Iowa and Des Moines. Give it a try, check it out! I think you’ll be glad you did.
~ The Dauntless Princess ~