Where to Live Part 2 - Des Moines and Spencer

cybsball20 · 05-15-2008, 11:13 AM

I played in the Northwest Am Golf tournament in Spencer a few times, seemed like one of the nicer mid sized towns I had been to, especially around the Country Club.

jbclone10 · 05-15-2008, 11:42 AM

Ive been to most parts of dsm and a lot of the suburbs around it there are a bad places but for the most part they are good. I think there are places for anyones taste or preference.

Me State · 05-15-2008, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by djkent01

Agreed. I live on the west side of Des Moines near the Art Center. The people are real, the businesses are unique, it's a community and a neighborhood, and I wouldn't choose to live ANYWHERE else.

Some of the houses south of Grand(and some north) are beautiful and have nice large yards. One of the few parts of Des Moines I would actually like to live in(if I could afford it).

The_Architect · 05-15-2008, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Me State

Some of the houses south of Grand(and some north) are beautiful and have nice large yards. One of the few parts of Des Moines I would actually like to live in(if I could afford it).

That's a lot of old money in those areas. Those houses are very expensive.

ajk4st8 · 05-15-2008, 02:13 PM

I only live in Ankeny because it splits the difference between my job and hers (DSM and Ames).

There is no other reason to live in that town.

The_Architect · 05-15-2008, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by ajk4st8

I only live in Ankeny because it splits the difference between my job and hers (DSM and Ames).

There is no other reason to live in that town.

Are you kidding? Do you have kids? The school district is fantastic.

tube1 · 05-15-2008, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by The_Architect

Are you kidding? Do you have kids that are athletes? The school district is fantastic.

Fixed your quote for you. From what I've heard, of course...

cybsball20 · 05-15-2008, 03:11 PM

We LOVE the Beaverdale area. Last night we decide to walk up to work out, everyone says hi, stopped to get some Gelato at Grounds for Celebration afterwards, took our time to walk back. B&B was packed and smelled like smoked ribs... Great neighborhood.

matmann22 · 05-15-2008, 04:44 PM

Isn't the National Balloon Classic in Indianola ?

If Indianola is a suburb of Des Moines then can we claim Ames as well ?

CyinCo · 05-15-2008, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by ColoradoClone

That's funny, because I'd love to be able to move back to Des Moines. I'd probably even take a pay cut, and pay more for my house there to get a home in Des Moines proper.

DON'T Do it! Just kidding. My wife and I just moved from CO back to DSM in February. I'll admit, though, that we are having a hard time getting used to it again. We REALLY liked CO. We were in Greeley and Clive is a huge step forward community wise, but, as a whole, we miss the state of CO and all the fun things to do. And, of course, the beautiful blue skies.

dmclone · 05-15-2008, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by matmann22

Isn't the National Balloon Classic in Indianola ?

If Indianola is a suburb of Des Moines then can we claim Ames as well ?

I agree that it's weak but it takes less than 30 minutes from anywhere in Des Moines to get to Indianola. If you're in a big city it probably takes longer to go 5 miles.

HOTDON · 05-15-2008, 05:32 PM

Ugh, Spencer. I grew up down the road in Spirit Lake, so Spencer was the nearest "city". It's a nice enough town with all of the basic needs covered, Menards, Walmart, a mall, etc. But it is so far from any real city. You are 2 hours from Sioux Falls and Sioux City, 3+ hours from Des Moines and Minneapolis. It's geographically disadvantaged.

And for the record, the Lakes area is great to visit, but living there leaves something to be desired. The summer is only 3 months long, and the tourists get on your nerves day in and day out.

j4state · 05-15-2008, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by HOTDON

Ugh, Spencer. I grew up down the road in Spirit Lake, so Spencer was the nearest "city". It's a nice enough town with all of the basic needs covered, Menards, Walmart, a mall, etc. But it is so far from any real city. You are 2 hours from Sioux Falls and Sioux City, 3+ hours from Des Moines and Minneapolis. It's geographically disadvantaged.

And for the record, the Lakes area is great to visit, but living there leaves something to be desired. The summer is only 3 months long, and the tourists get on your nerves day in and day out.

Couldn't agree more with this guy. Living in Boji is genuinely "fun" one month out of the year, IMO, and that would be September. Tourists are gone and the weather is still solid for boating and swimming. NW Iowa resembles a black hole with little opportunity. If you're looking for the simple life then it might be for you.

alaskaguy · 05-16-2008, 01:57 AM

Originally Posted by HOTDON

Ugh, Spencer. I grew up down the road in Spirit Lake, so Spencer was the nearest "city". It's a nice enough town with all of the basic needs covered, Menards, Walmart, a mall, etc. But it is so far from any real city. You are 2 hours from Sioux Falls and Sioux City, 3+ hours from Des Moines and Minneapolis. It's geographically disadvantaged.

I'm probably in the minority on this board but I've never figured out the advantage of living in a city or within a couple of driving hours of a metropolitan area. And this is coming from someone that has lived in his share of cities; Portland, Denver, Wichita, Tulsa, Dallas, Houston, and Las Vegas.

I also know something about Spencer since my childhood was spent there, I graduated from Spencer SHS, and still have close relatives living in the area. It wouldn't be a contest if my geographical choices were Minneapolis, Des Moines, or Spencer. Spencer would easily be my choice.

RyCy04 · 05-16-2008, 07:53 AM

I live in Omaha and while I love it here, I have a hard time believing that it made the list. I love the things to do. CWS, Henry Doorly Zoo, Old Market, National Chili Cookoff (one of my faves), very good concert pulls with the Qwest, array of sporting events, etc, but I can definitely see why an outsider wouldn't enjoy it here.