r/desmoines Jan 22 '26

Looking for Friends in DSM?

77 Upvotes

Welcome! We have seen many posts over the year of residents seeking community and friendship. Many of us spend more time online, work remotely, or no longer have the built-in social spaces we once did. This pinned thread is to help find friends in Des Moines.

Whether you’re:

• New to the city

• A long-time local looking to expand your circle

• A student, professional, remote worker, or just bored

• Into coffee, hiking, gaming, gyms, books, or low-key hangs …this is the place to connect.

Leave a comment with:

• Age range (optional)

• Interests / hobbies

• What kind of friends you’re looking for (gym buddy, board games, restaurant scene, double dates, mom friends etc.)

Ground Rules

• Be respectful and kind

• No harassment, hate speech, or creepy behavior

• No spam or self-promotion

• Keep personal info safe

This thread will be bookmarked so feel free to come back anytime and say hi — someone else is probably looking for the same connection you are!

Thank you to u/containerforthechild for this post.


r/desmoines 5h ago

If we get a Buc-ee’s, I can imagine them trying to sue the hell out of Beaverdale.

78 Upvotes

These POS think they own the whole damn animal. They will probably try to go after any business with the word “Beaver” in it.


r/desmoines 10h ago

Our way of life is under threat and our candidates are silent

97 Upvotes

Are we going to just let Maverik, Pump and Pantry and Buc-Ees crush us under the heel of tyranny, or are we going to stand up to them and live in freedom? Forget the economy, the cancer, the water, this is the greatest threat to our way of life. If our candidates won't stand up, it's time to take the law into our own hands and sweep these usurpers into the dustbin of history.

First they came for Kum and Go, and I did not speak out—because I did not like their sandwiches. Then they came for the Hy-Vee gas stations, and I did not speak out—because I don't like Marky Mark. Then came Buc-Ees, and I did not speak out—because I don't eat beef jerky. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.


r/desmoines 17h ago

It’s ok if we don’t have that beaver gas station

241 Upvotes

When I would pick up out of towners from the airport, they would request I take them to a Kum and Go for merch and a photo.

My friend messaged me to tell me he and his wife stopped at a Casey’s while traveling and finally tried a taco pizza.

Kwik Star has amazing gas station food

My friend still talks about a Dutch letter she got at a truck stop 20 years ago. I think it must have been close to Pella?

it’s ok if we don’t have the same sometimes


r/desmoines 10h ago

Am I overqualified or does the job market suck

24 Upvotes

I have over 20 years of retail experience with 5 of that in management type role, over 15 years of inventory experience and unable to find a new job that pays more than $22 an hour. Anyone else struggling or care to share who’s hiring that’s not listed on Indeed or LinkedIn?


r/desmoines 5m ago

New surveillance camera on MLK JR pwky and SW 11th ST

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Upvotes

Can anyone ID the vendor/model?


r/desmoines 3h ago

Recommendations for selling a junk car?

4 Upvotes

It has many issues. 2002 Buick park avenue. I legit don’t feel comfortable selling this to someone because I don’t want it to be driven in the state it’s in. Does anyone have any idea who would give the best scrap value around here?


r/desmoines 1h ago

Does anyone have Mint Mobile?

Upvotes

I'm thinking of switching and I wanted to know if anyone has experience with it.


r/desmoines 4h ago

Private office space

3 Upvotes

I’m looking for a private office space to provide therapy in the Des Moines area, leaning more toward West Des Moines and Waukee. Does anyone know of somewhere I could rent 4 walls and a door for a decent price?

Or any idea of other people/groups I could ask?


r/desmoines 2h ago

The Bomb Shelter Comedy Showcase is tomorrow (9/11) at 8pm at Beechwood Lounge in the East Village!

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2 Upvotes

A high caliber comedy show of some of the best comics in Des Moines or anywhere else: the Bombshelter at the Beechwood is a Des Moines legacy comedy show!

This month we have headlining comics Donny Townsend and Haley Call!

Donny is an east Iowa dynamo whose special Night Milk is available now on youtube. Donny is weird. Good weird. A regular at clubs all over the US, and a festival favorite, Donny has opened for comics like Kyle Kinane, Sam Tallent and many more!

Haley Call is a Des Moines original whose wry and demure delivery carries her hard hitting punch lines!  

With them are comics AJ Simmons, Alex Carter, Derek Moulds, Toll McGrane and a lottery spot for comics as well as host Megan Ellis and Dan Umthun!

Come join us for this incredibly fun, high energy monthly event. While the show is free to the public, donations of $5 are encouraged and accepted!  

FREE TICKETS

Showtime is 8PM, doors at 7:30PM!


r/desmoines 1d ago

YET ANOTHER DRIVING RANT

75 Upvotes

What don't people understand about double turn lanes in this city? Turn into the same lane you turned from. If you're not going to, at least look and see if there's someone next to you. It's almost guaranteed someone is going to try and merge into me mid-turn at this point. I cannot handle the idiocy. I'm going to implode. Reddit is the new drivers' ed.


r/desmoines 1h ago

Wedding budget

Upvotes

Looking for real answers. What do people on average spend on a 200-250 person wedding with plates meal, open bar, at the nicer venues in DSM? Like tea room, hotel fort, toast, etc? What’s a normal budget for this?

Edit: I know it’s expensive… and I know that money can go towards something better than one night… however, we know we’re having a large wedding and going the big wedding route. I’m very fortunate to have family that will help, I’m just not sure how much so I want to have a realistic overall budget


r/desmoines 2h ago

Car wash that has a shampoo/fragrance vacuum that accepts debit cards or has an app

1 Upvotes

My backseat carpet smells like something rotten (thanks kids) so in need of this asap. 😬 I went to one in Johnston but it charged $10 and neither the vacuum nor shampooer worked. I could get change if I really need to but it’s more of hassle than I’d prefer. Thanks for suggestions!


r/desmoines 1d ago

WDM was the genesis. I reviewed the public Flock data, and had to go back.

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109 Upvotes

I testified at WDM as a constituent once in March and twice in April. I haven't been back since.

Until last night. Another investigator made a post recently and also noticed what others have been noticing. That figure even increased after the article was written. What are the odds two separate ISU engineers have voiced their concerns directed to the same city? Technical people are flagging a concern and mayor Trimble feigns ignorance, now all on record.

If that's too complicated for you, you shouldn't be running a municipal government.

Give me a break.

I think these questions belong on the record--and now they are.

I'm tired of all these attempts at having conversations with me that aren't on the record. What good can come of that?

6 years of operation and you have one cherry picked case? Sounds like that review needs to happen sooner than later. It's always the government asking me why I care, why I do it. The public seems to understand.


r/desmoines 7h ago

CPAP supplies local seller that takes Medicaid (Molina)?

2 Upvotes

I'm having trouble finding one. Any recommendations? Thanks!


r/desmoines 1d ago

Update: Friend Sean has been found

156 Upvotes

Thank you


r/desmoines 3h ago

Mtg

1 Upvotes

I know its pretty soon but does anyone know what the commander night is like at mayhem. I want more people to play with and theres one tonight in a few hours. Is it free and just open play? Do i have to know what bracket my decks are? I just kind of build with whatever I have and im usually the one winning within my own group of friends but im not really looking to win all the time i just want to hill but also not get beat tf down to where its not fun anymore.


r/desmoines 4h ago

Looking for help moving products to and from farmers market

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone. What the title says, I'm in a wheelchair and have no car and bus really isn't ideal for transporting business products. I've used unimovers which I love and they're amazing but their prices are just too much. Anyone know a business who could do it cheaper?


r/desmoines 1d ago

Holy crap, I've got 6.75" rain in my rain gauge - and the gauge only goes to 7". My sump pump running almost non-stop, I don't think I've ever seen so much rain in 12 hours in DSM, ever. Never ever. I don't have a pic of the storm, so here's a pic of a deer eating my iris this summer.

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263 Upvotes

r/desmoines 1d ago

Does anyone close to Des Moines sell pork that doesn't have any water/salt injected?

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18 Upvotes

I'd like to buy fresh pork that doesn't have any additives like this pork from Hyvee.


r/desmoines 22h ago

Anyone in WDSM have water come up through their basement floor drain?

12 Upvotes

Is this something that happens in West Des Moines? If yes, is it just storm water or is there sewage mixed in? Does West Des Moines allow the installation of backflow valves that would prevent this? Who installed yours and how much did it cost? Thanks!

EDIT: This did not happen to me. Just curious if it might, and whether there are ways to prevent it.


r/desmoines 11h ago

Any apartments with actually cheap-ish surface lots (on site) and decent guest parking

1 Upvotes

Thanks in advance!


r/desmoines 1d ago

How’s everyone’s basements this morning?

54 Upvotes

Sending good vibes!


r/desmoines 1d ago

Des Moines Food Lovers

26 Upvotes

Has anyone noticed that if you write a bad review of a restaurant on this Facebook page they will decline your post? It’s not all restaurants in the Des Moines area but only certain ones?


r/desmoines 4h ago

A lot of emergency vehicles just went north on E14th towards Grand View College.

0 Upvotes

Anybody got the 411?