Des Moines in the top 5

[CloneIce]

Can you really compare supporting a team of the school you attended with that of a fan of a pro team? IMO, that is a little different.

Most all Royals fans have a personal connection to the team based on where they lived or they have attended games, just like Cyclone fans. Much like the Clones, there are no bandwagon jumpers in the Royals fanbase, just die hards who stick by their team, even after years of sucking. That's what good fans do at least. I guess all the Royals fans could quit cheering for them and start following the Yankees, but thankfully they are real fans and not Dbag bandwagon jumpers.

[bringmagicback]

Cool Story Hansel.

Your city still sucks, no matter how many times the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines finishes 17th in tickets sales.

Well I like Des Moines and I think Denver is a **** hole. So that means it is a **** hole because I think that right? Grow up little kid. Also whats so cool about Denver, or DENVER as you call it? Its rapidly growing homosexual population or the illegal immigrants? Do you have a Denver tattoo? Is your favorite singer John Denver? Are you a super cool snowboarder? Did you cry when Mello left? Do you smoke copious amounts of marijuana? Do you love homeless people? Please oh please let us know why we are SOOOO lame for not living in the same city as you cool guy.

[capitalcityguy]

Most all Royals fans have a personal connection to the team based on where they lived or they have attended games, just like Cyclone fans. Much like the Clones, there are no bandwagon jumpers in the Royals fanbase, just die hards who stick by their team, even after years of sucking. That's what good fans do at least. I guess all the Royals fans could quit cheering for them and start following the Yankees, but thankfully they are real fans and not Dbag bandwagon jumpers.

Good explanation. I'll concede that point.

[capitalcityguy]

Most of des moines growth appears to be rural to urban movement. People seeking a higher income and different lifestyle. Similar characteristics to those leaving the state entirely.. some choose to stay in state and go to des moines, some leave the state. When you click on polk county on this map you see a lot of inward migration comes from in-state, but you see more net outward migration to out of state.

As the rural areas have less people to 'feed' the growth of des moines, that growth will probably drop off as well. And that growth for actual des moines is pretty small. When you zoom in on Census 2010: Population Change in Iowa | The Des Moines Register | DesMoinesRegister.com you see most of the des moines census tracts were losing population.

Cool map.

Iowa is no different than anywhere in the US. People are moving from rural areas to urban areas. This isn't a uniquely Iowa issue.

I don't think there is any reason to think Des Moines (as in metro's) population won't continue at its current healthy pace. There are just too many positives (as listed out in my earlier post) . Probably the biggest concern there would be is some type of dramatic shift in the market that negatively affects the long term health of the insurance industry.

[alarson]

Cool map.

Iowa is no different than anywhere in the US. People are moving from rural areas to urban areas. This isn't a uniquely Iowa issue.

I don't think there is any reason to think Des Moines (as in metro's) population won't continue at its current healthy pace. There are just too many positives (as listed out in my earlier post) . Probably the biggest concern there would be is some type of dramatic shift in the market that negatively affects the long term health of the insurance industry.

Yes, everywhere there is rural to urban movement. The problem for des moines is that looks like the primary driver of its net growth. When you take that out, des moines is likely losing population. The rural areas of iowa have less and less people and are getting older, meaning that the major growth stream for des moines will decrease over time, while it doesnt appear the stream from des moines to out of state will stop anytime soon.

[capitalcityguy]

Yes, everywhere there is rural to urban movement. The problem for des moines is that looks like the primary driver of its net growth. When you take that out, des moines is likely losing population. The rural areas of iowa have less and less people and are getting older, meaning that the major growth stream for des moines will decrease over time, while it doesnt appear the stream from des moines to out of state will stop anytime soon.

I'll agree with you that DM will need to continue to work to retain young professionals it has and attact others from futher and further away.

[dmclone]

I'm happy with the size of the DM metro today. Everything I want besides a pro sports team is here today. No traffic issues, low cost of living, good shopping, good food, etc. I remember 20 years ago going to places like KC and Minneapolis and finding all kinds of cool things to do compared to Des Moines. Now the only time I ever go to KC is for some special event like the ISU game.



What's funny is that we never went to pro games when we lived near Chicago. Now we drive 5 hours to go see a game there?

As far as the young professionals, in today's environment a low unemployment rate goes a long long ways compared to 5-10 years ago. All those fun things to do in LA sound real great until you realize that you can't afford to live there.

[Erik4Cy]

My answer to Des Moines:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9VspqcwtJQ]YouTube - Cedar Rapids Movie Trailer Official (HD)[/ame]

[mksmith2]

You know what's great about these **** throwing contests?

We all get **** all over us.

[thatguy]

Well I like Des Moines and I think Denver is a **** hole. So that means it is a **** hole because I think that right? Grow up little kid. Also whats so cool about Denver, or DENVER as you call it? Its rapidly growing homosexual population or the illegal immigrants? Do you have a Denver tattoo? Is your favorite singer John Denver? Are you a super cool snowboarder? Did you cry when Mello left? Do you smoke copious amounts of marijuana? Do you love homeless people? Please oh please let us know why we are SOOOO lame for not living in the same city as you cool guy.

Hahahaha WOW! Thanks for proving my point!
What I like about Denver is that people like YOU don't live here Old Man? or Little Kid? Yes dang those homosexuals they are bringing everybody down!!
The fact that somebody like you doesn't like it, just reassures me that it is a good place bc insecure, ignorant, redneck, bigots and racists, like yourself, can stay in the Midwest.
Des Moines is what it is, a place to raise your kids and go to Church. If you want more than that, you probably aren't going to find it. It has nothing to do with being a super cool snowboarder and more about being a more advanced culture than avoiding the "gays and mexicans"

[alarson]

You know what's great about these **** throwing contests?

We all get **** all over us.

I hate manure.

[simply1]

If culture is your primary motivation, surely you could find a more cultured city than Denver.

[dmclone]

Des Moines is what it is, a place to raise your kids and go to Church.

I don't have kids and haven't been to church since I was in junior high, looks like I better move.
My guess is that sitting in your moms basement in Denver wouldn't be that much different than if she lived in Des Moines.

[jsmith86]

Hahahaha WOW! Thanks for proving my point!
What I like about Denver is that people like YOU don't live here Old Man? or Little Kid? Yes dang those homosexuals they are bringing everybody down!!
The fact that somebody like you doesn't like it, just reassures me that it is a good place bc insecure, ignorant, redneck, bigots and racists, like yourself, can stay in the Midwest.
Des Moines is what it is, a place to raise your kids and go to Church. If you want more than that, you probably aren't going to find it. It has nothing to do with being a super cool snowboarder and more about being a more advanced culture than avoiding the "gays and mexicans"

Wow. We get that you hate the state of Iowa. And as far as being a more advanced culture? lol. You probably think that farmers still walk behind a horse pulled plow too?

[capitalcityguy]

How does a person hate (maybe disrespect is a better word?) the state of Iowa and the people that live here so much and also be an Iowa State fan? Odd combo, if you ask me.

More irony -- Quoting a line from Field of Dreams in signature block?