4 Reasons Living in Des Moines is Actually Kinda Nice

So I realize this title may not sound like the most positive thing ever. But I promise it is! I haven't been super private about the fact that Iowa wasn't at the top of my list for places to move, so if you are reading this I have a feeling you already knew that. When my cousin Will asked me what I would miss about it, I said my friends and Trader Joes. We Iaughed, but at the time I legitimately could not think of anything else. I knew that leaving some of the relationships I had formed would be really hard, but I didn't think I would miss much else. Well, as you could probably expect, a little time and distance has changed my tune a bit. I actually missed Des Moines the other day, and not just for the friends. I know that much of what I miss is the familiarity. I miss driving without a GPS and walking straight to what I need in the grocery store. But there is more than that to it as well. So, without further ado, here are 4 reasons that living in this midwestern metro was much better than I expected it to be.

1) Outdoor public space
Des Moines wins on this one. The list of expansive parks in the middle of the city is long, the paved trail system is probably one of the best in the nation. If you want to exercise for free - there is no excuse for not doing it in this city. My only complaint is that I had zero desire to go for a bike ride during the 6 months of freezing temps. The above picture is from Gray's Lake. There is a great trail that goes all the way around it. You can also rent canoes and paddle boats.

2) The traffic is incredible
Naturally I included a picture of my beloved Subie for this part since that's what I navigated the traffic in. Don't tell David you like it too, because he will probably try to sell it to you on the spot. I know this may seem like a strange choice for a pro, but this is something I didn't appreciate until I got to PA. You can get pretty much anywhere in the metro in 20-30 min. And that's for extreme times when you live in West Des Moines and for some reason want to go to Ankeny or Pleasant Hill. If you keep your radius a little smaller, everything you could ever need is at your fingertips. There are so many lanes of traffic, and even the interstate at rush hour will only slow you down a few minutes. Also, the traffic lights are incredibly responsive. No more sitting at the light for 5 minutes with no other cars in sight waiting to for it to turn green. I swear they see you coming and change just in time. Also, the city is pretty much a giant grid, so even pre-iPhone SK learned her way around in a heartbeat. This definitely makes everyday life convenient.

3) Downtown is pretty hip
The Des Moines River basically splits the more business oriented, skyscraper side of downtown with the East Village - a collection of fun local eats and shops. My favorites include an adorable knit shop called Stitch,  Porch Light Antiques, and an awesome paper goods shop that is my favorite place except for the fact that I can't remember what it's called. There is a great summer concert series at an amphitheater on the river. The Downtown Farmers Market is awesome. They have free wine samples, tons of produce, yummy ethic food, craft vendors, and a La Mie tent because we all know that calories from that gem of a bakery don't count. The picture above is from when my BFF came to see me and we checked out the farmers' market for the first time! (I am allowed to call her my BFF because we were besties before that acronym was invented. True life. It was added to the dictionary in 1996.) Last but not least, the building you see in the background is the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates and it is incredible inside! 

4) It is chain heaven
I don't have a picture for this one because I don't usually snap pics of the Aldi logo, but this one definitely deserves its place on the list. Des Moines has every chain store you could possibly ever need. I know that is not hip or cool or trendy or local - but it is CONVENIENT. I lived within 5 minutes of a Super Wal Mart, a Super Target, a Trader Joe's, an Aldi (groceries so cheap, it rocks!) and a Hy-Vee (fantastically run midwestern grocery store that also has great chinese food which I miss.) So if you need eggs- you have choices! I also lived within 5 minutes of an Old Navy, Bed Bath and Beyond, Khols, Chick-Fil-A, Starbucks, Williams-Sonoma, Scheels (giant midwestern sporting goods store), the list goes on and on and on and on. I'm telling you, they have everything you could ever need. Except an Anthro. That's my only complaint. But I'll cut them some slack on that one. 

Maybe soon I'll do a "Weekend in Des Moines" post and tell you all my favorite places in case you ever decide to vistit. Because let's be honest, I don't think you'll ever pass through on accident. But if you do go there on purpose, I think you'll have a blast!