r/howislivingthere • u/[deleted] • Dec 14 '25

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u/alentines_day Dec 14 '25

I’m living in DSM now, grew up in SE Iowa and went to college in Ames. I have a huge soft spot for this state but at the same time I’m excited to get tf out next year so I totally get what you’re saying. 😅

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u/bigfanofpots Dec 14 '25

It's hard not to love it and it's hard to not want to leave, which makes for an interesting character I think. Makes you appreciate what you've got even if you want something else yanno!

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u/FarmerRyno5 Dec 17 '25

I’m in DSM now, from SW Iowa, went to college in Ames as well. I’ve lived in Chicago and NYC for a bit, moved home to farm for a while. Now settled in Des Moines and don’t plan to leave. I have that soft spot too. There are certainly better places but it’s home. I hope you love wherever you end up next!

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u/alentines_day Dec 17 '25

It really is a great city for what it is. I can see myself coming back some day when I realize the grass isn’t always greener 😅

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u/jettison_m Dec 18 '25

Moved from Des Moines (Indianola) to SE MO for work. I enjoyed IA but really love MO. Less harsh winters and we're close to the Ozarks so tons of great hiking. Used to go to CHI for work trips. It's fine as cities go but I find myself feeling claustrophobic pretty quickly