We have all that in SoCal and Texas too. People in Iowa are very nice but the lack of diversity is a deal breaker. I'm glad three if my grandbabies live there though. I don't want them in Los Angeles. No way.
You're a baller?! I guarantee I've wrecked your soil. Where's your roots Kid? In Iowa, my boys took the test and laid down the rest. Any idea who I am? Ah, from your pic, you're too young to know my name, ask your Pops if he was a baller, House doesn't budge... Look it up...
Just because a state is flat doesn't make it ugly. Flat land is farm land, and with that comes manure. You grow a tolerance to it after time. Without that flat farmland no one would eat. Plus, 60 miles or so to your east is the Mississippi river. It's most definitely not flat there. It's stunning. I lived in a cute apartment on a high bluff in Dubuque for awhile. Nighttime views of the bridges and rivers was magical. Iowa's beauty may be different from other states, but that doesn't mean it isn't beautiful at all. Sometimes you have to look closer for the beauty. A lot of things you described are accurate, but most Iowans are willing to take the bugs and humidity and snow storms for a safe, quiet place to live.
I lived around Seattle for nearly 20 years. I moved back to IA because the people are nicer; they'll actually TALK to you in IA. There's virtually no traffic; free parking all over the place. Lots of fresh, clean air. Lower crime rate. Affordable housing. Sure, Seattle area had alot of amenities, but couldn't afford to go after factoring in gas for the commute and parking. Also, nearly everything in the large city is chain restaurants. Very few individual, one of a kind restaurants. Sure, there are some nice restaurants in large cities, but, again-- can you afford it? Nearly everything is a franchise and if I want to eat microwaved frozen food, I can do that at home without paying a tip! I can bicycle, again, in IA, without being confined to a bike trail filled with walkers and baby strollers and dogs. Oh yeah-- in the large cities, now, EVERYBODY has to take their dogs with them EVERYWHERE. To the store/restaurant/dr's office/post office. If you're allergic to dog dander, it's hell. That's another reason why I moved back to IA-- people here still have the decency to consider others and not take their dogs into public stores/restaurants, etc. And they have the decency to change their clothes before leaving their house, if they're covered in animal fur! It's called MANNERS. AND, YES, IOWANS STILL HAVE THEM, THANK GOD!
I also moved to Northeast Iowa (Cedar Falls/Waverly) from Seattle back in 2015, although near Seattle is where I'm originally from, though I do have some family in Iowa and the only Fretheim farm is about halfway between Decorah and Spillville in Madison Township. I also like Iowa, although it's funny hearing you say they're nice because Iowans are actually probably the biggest assholes in the Midwest (hence the Jackson Browne song...) I love the communities, and the land is actually very beautiful, especially up near the driftless region and along the Cedar River. Iowa's also a surprisingly good architecture state, and you especially see this in that glorious architectural time capsule of the Edwardian Age known as Dubuque. I actually didn't think it was all that lacking for amenities, although it is true that stuff is much further apart. Ditto on the traffic. I probably would have remained in Iowa, but I lost my job at John Deere and ended up relocating about a month later.
I am moving out of Iowa and I grew up here. I hate "Iowa nice", "Iowa nice" is so fake. It's people being nice to your face and talking poorly about each other behind each other's backs. I would rather not talk to other people. I like people leaving me alone and also not asking me for help every five minutes. People from Iowa are also very dramatic, everything is a big deal. Again I'm orginally from Iowa. The food is plain, and there isn't much to do.
Oh and let's not forget about people's moodiness because of the weather. Spring is beautiful but people are grouchy in the spring and hard to deal with.
Born and raised in Iowa. All you say is true. I moved to California 20 years ago and love it. But I really miss the great people of Iowa. I guess I will always be an Iowan.
I lived in Denver prior to moving here. Before moving state I scoured the Internet for information regarding Iowa lifestyle, to no avail. I figure if something doesn’t exit I should do my part to bring it into existence lol. That is why I make these videos. I figure people might be curious about life here in the big sky state. Lol
@@Fe-Bean although I respect your opinion and perspective I think you need to do some road trips and explore Iowa...I think you'd be pleasantly surprised what you find.
Iowa & florida are 2 different weather condtions one is hot & sunny the other is cold so i think the best to do is don't rely on anyone's opinion just visit Iowa and experience it your self.😁
Very conservative state with amazing ski resorts lol ( used to live an Colorado I’ve snowboarded in Utah). Anyway, Iowa I a way is like Utah the change may not be too severe. Good luck with everything. Much love 💕
That is true, and the view is lovely. However, a lot of these beautiful houses were in disrepair. So the town looked a little neglected. In 2016 There was an influx of Chicago bad apples that debarked on your shores, and the brought with them some really unsavory habits... However, Dubuque has better and more diverse cuisine, and better entertainment than CR.
I concur lol. I did notice Des Moines has a bit more culture than CR. The restaurant scene is also more diverse which is a plus. However, public schools in CR and Coalville are better than those of Des Moines.... unless we sent our kids to private school. We’re closer to make a decision now. How do you like Cali as oppose to CR and what do you miss about CR?
Des moines is not much better do not let people lie to you iowa is iowa it is over priced Living in des moines and jobs do not pay that great here in des moines it is like a mini Chicago it's your choice to live here but I recommend look at other states
A few thoughts from someone who's lived in Iowa 55 years: Marion water sucks, Cedar Rapids water is good. Bridges are in disrepair because they didn't raise the gas tax forever. It had something to do with ethanol production at large political-donor factories like ADM. Ethanol was subsidized and the gas tax kept low to make ethanol seem cheap, but the infrastructure suffered for it. Winter sucks. Crime is relatively low. Traffic isn't bad, especially compared to Florida. There's some strange fascination here with Bud Light, which tastes like fizzy water. If you're not drunk enough with green beer on St. Pat's Day, you can do it again with red beer in Czech Village 2 days later on St. Joseph's Day. Good luck with everything Fe! BTW, the only place I've ever seen it hot, sunny, windy, rainy and snowy at the same time was atop Bear Butte, the Indian holy mountain in SD. I don't know of any holy mountains in Marion, unless you're talking about that steaming pile of cow dung, where a person might use a few "holy" expletives to describe it.
That’s right. My husband is into beers and love most the beer mention here. He even told a bout wounded soldiers, beach whales, white wale of beer etc ( beer lingo lol)
Your taking about the town you live in . that's not just Iowa not all of Iowa is like that . if your move to places that is factory and farmers yes . so maybe you should report on farmer town and factory's you shouldn't label your dislike on Iowa because you cedar rapid s is not all of iowa
Factory farms have polluted the air and water in much of the state, and state govt has sold out to big ag to do so. It’s naive to pretend your so called local officials have your interests in mind.
I was born in Cedar Rapids, and lived in Cedar Falls until I was nearly 23. I have now lived in Maryland for the last 18 years. Most self-professed geographic whizzes here in Maryland are completely unaware of the difference between Iowa, Ohio, and Idaho.
Don't pay mind to those trashy comments, your video is about what you don't like in a light hearted way. You have valid points and issues and you were never disrespectful. It's good to point out issues anywhere you live to keep improving and growing.
I appreciate your saying that. I’ve come to notice If you tell some of the natives about the negatives sides of Iowa , they get really offended. I’d wish they didn’t take my opinion so personally... Thanks for dropping by my channel 😄
Been in IOWA since 1994 I love it we have everything except pollut here we have wonderful lakes and rivers to go have fun fishing with friends and family plenty of trails to hike and nice state parks oh and if you didn't know we also have wonder caves in iowa the makeoketa state park caves .... Oh and our awesome adventureland and our festivals and out state fairs ....oh boy I love IOWA
It sounds like you need to leave Iowa. Do you need a ride? I would love to come back to Iowa. I miss Iowa city and Cedar Rapids so much. Also I miss going to the Iowa games. I will trade you places!!
@@beachlife8168 I had black friends. I had a great time with them. But then again when I am with people I do not spend all my time looking at the color of their skin. I loved my black friends. We are what is in our hearts. We were all made by the almighty God. He made each one of us for a purpose. That purpose is to first love and serve Him and then to love others as we love ourselves. I love Jesus Christ and I have given my life to Him at it changed my life. I also strive to love and serve others as he did. If you have not given your life to Him I would love to talk to you and help you know how to become a child of our Lord Jesus Christ. I love you has I do everyone. Also there are many things to do in Iowa. I posted a video of just a handful off things to do. I lived in North Liberty and worked at the U of I hospital. Also I loved to go to the Amana Colonies and walk around and eat their fantastic food. Jesus loves you and wants you to spend eternity with Him. I have lived my life and I am now in a nursing home just waiting for Him to take me home.
I myself am transplanted here from Minneapolis, to be honest, Iowa, North Central Iowa is a wonderful place to live, very affordable, the people are very decent and nice here, as well as open minded to people of different ethnic backgrounds, the weather is pretty mild also, I've been here twenty five years now and I love it, everything is much more relaxed here, low crime, low property taxes, sure There's dickhead closeminded people around, but they are everywhere in the world sadly, I hope you give Iowa a second chance, I did, and now I have no plans of living anywhere else, incorrect, we receive a warm sunny summer and fall n spring very much comparable to other states, Liked vid , even though I think your judgement is somewhat premature, Like vid anyway and hit thumbs up, Good Up for sharing, StaySafe
The property tax rates are not low in Iowa. House values are simply lower. Overall Iowa is not very tax friendly but the low cost of living offsets this negative. A great place to live overall but property taxes are huge in Iowa lol
I’m from California but moving to Iowa in August for school at ISU. Although I think I’ll miss the mountains. I do love how green it is there during summer compared to here. Beautiful rolling hills too.
There will be a big culture shock moving from Cali to Ames (I moved from the city to Ames). There are some great things about ISU and Ames and some bad things. The people overall are very nice (the food was blah), the weather obviously is different - you will not see too many chain restaurants or stores. If you like a college town, it is mainly that. The bus system is great runs all hours and most places (most of the time). There is NO diversity for the most part. The university itself is pretty cool. I really loved a lot of things about Ames and ISU. The only thing, if you are NOT a student it is hard to find housing that is not student centered. The houses for rent or even sale and apts are astronomically expensive and again, cater to students.
@@jbjacobs9514 I finished my first semester at ISU and am flying back on Sunday for my second. I absolutely loved it in Ames especially the "small town feel" compared to what I was used to. Made lots of great friends and I enjoy the food as well. Can't wait for my next 3 years in Ames working on my degree.
@@SlimyShellos Thanks for updating me! I realized after I wrote when you actually posted and saw it was 9 months ago. I am so happy it worked out well for you, especially considering a pandemic. I was there pre-crazy times! I am so happy for you! I wish you the best in your degree and in finding happiness, fun, and everything good! I hope you come back here or somewhere on You Tube and talk about your time at ISU and Ames in the future. :-)
I live in Redwood City California. I have been to Iowa in the summer, fall and the winter to visit family. I agree with you on all your points. The winter was a bit depressing. The heat in summer was humid and HOT! I loved the fall weather there because is was the first true fall I ever experienced. There is no food culture that I experienced for the most part, but the breakfast at Waveland was great and I had a pork tenderloin sandwich for the first time and that was yummy. I'm of mixed race and when I went to the mall in Des Moines a woman actually said out loud, I wish you Mexicans would get the hell out of Iowa and was looking directly at me. I'm part Hawaiian, Chineses, and Caucasian. I don't have any Spanish or Mexican blood in me. I was kind of taken a back when she said that out loud. It definitely has a distinct smell. I couldn't put my finger on it but it was a mix of chemical and animal.
Yea. They are racists here in iowa. Workplace, Doctors, Police, and court rooms. Black folk have to deal with alot of KARENisity out here. It will really give you PTSD and Anxiety problems 👍🏾🤷🏽
@@joeykremple aw. It definitely did. Whites in iowa are SOOOO emtitled. This is America dangit! Yall have to learn to share land with other Americans...that were born in America 👦🏾👈🏾 bunch of selfish little shits 👀🤦🏽💯
See, the problem is you’re from commiefornia. Y’all are ruining other states like Colorado Oregon Idaho Nevada and others. As a Californian from Sacramento if they were really being racist just ignore them, otherwise, don’t go back to Iowa. Good riddance.
@@samblue8904yes Iowa is a very biased city I wrote a book about it, and the police is not really protective there in on human trafficking so this video I agree with I'm glad I'm not the only one that experienced racism here, and I have kids my kids was bullied at schools I had to transfer them etc and now I have a son that's at the healing farm I have to say my life here in Iowa not very pleasant but GOD keeping me here to make a difference.
I'm thinking about relocating to Iowa, I just have few questions, hows the healthcare career...I just graduated from Sterile Processer Tech, renting a 1to 2 bedroom is it expensive, how about when it comes to transportation, is it available and if, so from what time to what time does the system run?... TIA
Sazon Man Iowa is decent place to live. I’ve been here for 8 years I have not encounter too many issues. Linn Mar district and north Cedar Rapids are the best place to live. Public transportation exist but it’s not the best. The bus come every 30:00 minutes. Work is plentiful. Housing is affordable. There winter weathers pretty harsh. In a nutshell that is iowa
I love the 4 seasons in Iowa. Travel and explore Iowa. Explore the waterfalls. Explore the Loess Hills. Loess Hills are glaciers retreated north at the end of the last Ice Age. Today the 650,000 acres Loess Hills landscape rises 200 feet above the Missouri River. Northwest Iowa visit Lake Okoboji. Also a lot of History there.
Hawkeye Point is the highest natural point in Iowa at 1,670 feet (510 m). Plus Iowa is 95% farmland which means flat lol. In the grand scheme on thing Iowa is pretty flat lol. PS : Are you from IA?
I can tell you were I'm from Sioux City IA its not flat here right outside SW of here is losse hills key word hill. People that come here are amazed by the hills. The smell well yes smaller town/city in Iowa do smell. The smell of money lol do your research we are doing far better economicly and people are still forward thinking enough to improve. We will all find faults where we live. Oh ya we also have some of the best medical docs in the United States as well I live hour from children's hospital and in sioux city we have one of the best heart hospitals as well.
I just moved to Carroll, Iowa a few months ago. I agree with everything you said. The one and only thing I really love about Iowa besides the quietness is the jobs. You'll never be left without a job in Iowa lol. Good video.
618Videos True that ! I’ll be making a video about the thing I like about Iowa soon. As you mentioned above finding a job that pays well is one of them. Thanks for the time to add a comment.
I live in Waukee which is one of the bigger cities in Iowa (Keep in mind we still have less than 20,000 people living here and are a bigger city) and I still end up behind a tractor literally all the time
True that ! It is Iowa way if telling us to slow down and smell The flowers 💐. Because when one is stuck behind a huge tractor 🚜 there nothing you can do about it. Might as well turn up the music and enjoy the right lol.
That's because Waukee is a 'burb' of Des Moines and surrounded by farm land. The farm equipment usually stays off the heavier traveled roads if they can. If you take a lighter traveled state highway or gravel - you're on your own.
Dairy Air is the hallmark of American Agriculture haha Living in Wisconsin has taught me to appreciate all the not-so-subtle nuances of living in farm country. I've grown accustomed to many of the things you've mentioned while I've been living in Wisconsin, so I'm not dissuaded from moving to Iowa :-) One question for you. Have you seen any tornadoes during the seven-years you've lived in Iowa?
Best place for home to income ratio, best state to raise a family, best medium-sized city growth in the Midwest, more bars than you can count, continuous growth and renovation across the entire Des Moines area, new festivals added each year. I love this state, but definitely agree with you about the weather!
I plan on moving to Iowa soon. What city do you recommend? I'm 19 so I wouldn't want to live next to the cornfields. I'd like to live in the city, where the jobs are at. My main focus in finding work.
@@chrisg966 we just bought a house in West Des Moines - WDM and Waukee seems to be where all the young people are moving. Great and growing neighborhoods. Appreciating value on all home classes/types. 10 minutes from everything you need in all directions. Great apartment and townhouse options too if you’re renting. Let me know if you have any other questions. I know more about Iowa than I should 😂
@@chrisg966 other suburbs I would recommend: Urbandale, Clive, Ankeny (if you’re buying a house and don’t mind traffic), Altoona, and grimes. All have benefits to them but location will be your best friend in this state as usually everything is a 30+ minute drive unless you live in the Des Moines area.
Iowa has actually had just as many F-5/EF-5 tornadoes since 1953 that Oklahoma has. One ripped thru Parkersburg, IA in 2008 with 220 mph winds. It was 1.25 miles wide and it leveled half the town. It killed 7 people in Parkersburg, and 2 more in New Hartford. It was the most destructive tornado in Iowa history.
@@Fe-Bean, we have EF5 tornadoes here. We also have the internet in rural areas. We aren't quite as backwards as you think. Every single town in this country had both good & bad aspects to it. Iowa isn't for everyone, thankfully.
I live in north central Florida and can relate to the bugs and muggy, hot summers. In the last few years the summers have become increasingly more rainy all day...not the sunny summer days and 1 hour afternoon showers I remember as a kid. There is also a big fluctuation in temperatures. We will have cold weather for the first half of the week and hot, muggy days for the rest of the week with no breeze whatsoever. Forget about a real spring here. It goes from cold one week to humid weather the next week. Weather closer to the gulf or Atlantic coast is probably different.
avoid fort dodge. its got a lot, and im not understating this, a lot of drugs, and its getting more violent. it made my cousin worry enough to go get his carry permit, and his wife went and got hers also. if she didnt already own the family home, she wouldnt live there. my cousin said he over insured the home and hopes for storm or fire when they go on vacation or are out camping or when the house will be empty for a few days. before i got hurt, and he was just getting serious with the girl he married, i was with them and we arrived to a partially open front door, and my cousin only had a baseball bat for protection, and his son has his bat for baseball at school. he grabbed the bat and i told him to wait outside the front but dont go up the steps. he tucked in low and i went in the back, i told the girls to drive down the street and park so she could watch from a distance, and lock the doors. i went in, cleared it from basement to the top floor and i found nobody, the electronics were moved but none taken (it seems they like newer stuff that doesnt weigh 600lbs) and some of the bedroom drawers were open. a small safe had been beat with a hammer but they couldnt break in, and it was in a closet wall, its where family jewels and such are kept, along with documents. i called my cousins cell and told him it was clear. this isnt the worst. i just had a weird feeling so i went and got my rf meter and i found 3 micro cameras hidden in the house. in the master bath, the master bedroom and in the tv area. i was able to take them and turn them against people, i built them a set of cameras out of the ones left, to watch the doors and we added security features. theres a max security prison there, and 20 miles away, a minimum security facility. every prisoner i knew working with them through the program, they ALL got out, never went further than fort dodge, then got in trouble with drugs and violence again. theres a bit of a saying, "the easiest way for a guy to get a girl in fort dodge is to tell her he just got out of prison", and its pretty accurate. the bars are really hopping the first weekend of every month, when the wellfare and other checks come in, and theres a lot of girls there milking the system. one girl i met slept with 44 guys in one month. she had 3 kids, the courts had 40 men tested to see if they were a father to any, and none were. this girl put on a lot of weight, then it vanished and she looked like a model again in the spring. meth, lots of it, rural meth labs and sometimes hunters find them, in one form or another, off in the woods. the state is bad if you are injurred and lose insurance, you, as a single person, must have a net worth of $2000 or less, no more than one vehicle, one home, and they make you sell off most things and theres really not much help for single men. the max net worth doubles if you are married. arizona is the best place in this sort of situation. iowa culture is mostly found in the ankeny area, its where all the european and african immigrants seem to go, and for the most part, i have met decent people, at least when i was a store clerk, i do not know otherwise. my favorite store is tiny, and i love it when its slow and the family can chat. they are from Poland, and one of them has a boyfriend from Ukraine. great people. i was shopping for a christmas gift for my sister, and another for her husband. as custom, at noon they closed the store for an hour and eat in the back room. they invited me back and insisted i eat with them. it was all laughs and smiles and i worked out a $900 purchase afterward that was below what i would have got anywhere else. so there is culture, just gotta look. living history farms is great, the science center, zoo, the botanical gardens, and, since i spend more time visiting doctors than id like, i would say that the nurses often know more than the doctors lol. iowa is BIG on college football and wrestling. we have also produced some of the best olympic wrestlers
Living in a cold state takes a toll on our health lack of sunshine and vitamin D, makes us depressed, step up on your Vitamin D it may sound trivial, but it sure helps when we get into winter it will make your winter days more bearable.it works 🌷
M M It’s so true. My second winter in Iowa, I felt weak and tired and dizzy for months, and did not know what was wrong with me. I visited my doctor and I found out I was deficient in potassium and vitamin D. Only people who live here know about how important it is for one to stock on vitamin D for winters. Lol It’s not something one who lives in Florida would even fathom. Thanks you for supporting the idea of taking taking Vitamin D during winters in cold places not just Iowa.
This is very, VERY true! I've lived in Northeast Wisconsin for 10-years now and am Vitamin D deficient. I have to take prescription Vitamin D 50,000 iu per week just to supplement my Vitamin D intake! Vitamin D Deficiency can absolutely aggravate clinical depression. It's the worst!
@@themoonlitquill oh my gosh sorry to hear but glad u will be ok,try what the norwegians use for centuries,they swear by cod liver oil every day before winter begins they said it kicks depression to the curb.
@@Debssssss yet there doesn’t seem to be any correlation between life expectancy and state weather. NY state has horrible 5 month long winters (lived here 50 years), yet has one of the highest life expectancy rates, for example.
honestly i like living i iowa but its just those little things like the weather. like right now where i live there is 7 inches of snow and i can barley get out the dood. but my school still dosent cancle
I disklike the bugs, however the heat does not bother (sometimes) me. I love the unpredictable weather as I love watching such diverse weather patterns. Cow farms don't bother me but I grew up around areas that just had cattle. But I will admit that pig farms smell terrible. But Iowa can be diverse, some of my best friends are Mennonites. Now about internet were I live in Western Iowa we have a Century Link building in my small town. Now in the West we have beautiful large hills that you could ski down.
Talking about hills i just discovered one near downtown CR. It call Trash hill. It is quite substantial I’ve heard lol. I’ll visit as soon as my kids start school. I bit Trash Hill “don’t know what they call it that ) is not as rolls or beautiful as the ones you grew up with lol.
I actually love the farms, nothing like buying the produce for your table from a local farmer, and they're beautiful too. Maybe my severe nasal allergies give me an unfair advantage with respect to the smells. Never been a fan of the Iowa weather though - it's either way too hot or way too cold.
Yeah, I I totally understand. However, I prefer the sweltering summer to the Siberia like winters . During the summer you could go tubbing on one of the rivers or go to a public pool to cool down. The freezing winters around here are too unforgiving, there are a few thing you cool do for entertainment but it is limited. Plus it grey most of the time... I am from the Caribbean, I thrive on heat and sunshine.
Here's my list. 1. Bad food. 2.bad weather. 3.a total lack of class. 4.everyone is so straight laced and wholesome it's boring as hell. 5.the cites are ugly they are only built for function not to be appreciated. 6.there is no vibe of excitement. 7.the cities are like living in a 3rd world country the roads are horrible. 8. There's no sexy in iowa people don't dress to Impress. 9. There's only 2 things to do. Work and hope for death to come on swift wings...
One of our daughters lives in Iowa with her husband and children. I was born in Guatemala and raised in Texas and mostly California. Iowa was absolute culture shock. I've been there 06 times and i have to adapt every single time. I'm most struck by the lack of diversity in culture, racial, topographical, as it pertains to food, ethnicities, EVERYTHING!
@@Fe-Bean i could probably make good money out in Iowa. Charge $5 to let people watch me hot comb my hair, cook collard greens with bacon ends, black beans, and I'll read the Bible to em En Español. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@AlphaMom55 storm lake Iowa is all Micronesians, thaiwanese, Mexicanos , el salvadorians and maybe a handful of gringos. I agree it’s not for everyone but it is diverse enough in parts , I even found some Cubans cuz they speak Spanish like they’re drunk so easy to pick out. All in a fairly small town .
@@evaneichenberger845 I've been to Storm Lake multiple times. Didn't seem diverse at all. There's a town called Bradgate that is 100% white according to the census. I didn't know towns like that even existed.
Yeah u must’ve got the wrong town or a weird day , everything is a taqueria or pupuseria or stuff in Taiwanese which I can’t understand besides the Walmart , Arby’s , and Burger King . To me it’s come full circle , white people don’t have much of a presence on the coasts but they do in the Midwest along with the natives cuz it’s where they came from and still haven’t been completely bred out like on the coasts. Iowa as a whole is too white bread for my taste too but they will pull u out of the snow where in Houston no one will even think to help anyone unless they flash money.
I’ll be moving to Cedar Rapids from Los Angeles next month (I think) and I have a lot of questions about the utilities, how is Amazon fresh, Uber/ lift/ Uber eats/ door dash etc. I just want to have a better idea of what I’m getting myself(and kids) into 😁🙄
All I've heard about Cedar Rapids that's there's a lot of crime by Iowa standards. Rent is cheap compared to California. $700 a month should get you a good apartment. There's work everywhere here.
Thanks for the post...I thought living in Iowa would be a cool place to relocate. But I can't do the smells, and I need diversity, good food, entertainment.
FYI Iowa is the number one state in growing corn. They also ship a lot of grain to China thanks to governor Branstad. Best governor Iowa ever had and he was governor many years. Now he is in China.
My wife and i were born in central Iowa and didnt leave the state till we were in our 30s....these are true but iowa has a lot to be proud of at same time....economy is good, lots of jobs, great University's and top schools, very close family cultures ...now we miss living there...especially for the low crime
Ho my gosh this is so cool! The fact that I am talking to someone loving in the state of Iowa. Someone that I wouldn’t otherwise meet if it wasn’t for TH-cam. It just great. Wonderful chatting with you. 😊
Your experience is a sample size of one. Here are some tips: Bugs - Get BugSoother, problem solved Internet - I live in a much smaller town and I have buried fiber. 1GB speed. Also the internet/cable repair guys stink everywhere. This is not just an Iowa thing. Farm smells - Iowa has the largest population of hogs in the USA, what were you expecting? If the worst thing you smell is burnt grain, you are lucky. Go to a city with a refinery. Farm machinery - Are you serious? It's Iowa. Iowa Diversity - You have no idea. There are German, Polish, Swedish, Dutch, Spanish communities everywhere. Plus groups like Amish and Mennonite. You just don't see much of YOUR culture. Hot Summer - Florida and Arizona laughs at us. The crazy weather is just part of the entire Midwest. Maybe you belong in California? Hard water - If you have this you need a water softener. Most homes do. Ag Grade - You moved to the country but are surprised that you don't have city benefits..hmm, who would have expected that? Views - You are not looking. The entire eastern half of the state is rolling hills to very hilly with rivers and palisades. Winter - It is NOT bitter cold for 6 months, so that's a lie. Generally Iowans consider it cold from December to the end of February. There have been years we were still cutting grass 2 weeks before Christmas.
Umm...Marion? Seriously? Go to Iowa City! Mason City home of Meriden Wilson! Iowa rocks! Highest literacy rate in the nation! 4 seasons! Feeds the nation!
I'd rather smell fresh dung spread on a field, once a year, than manufacturing smell and unhealthy exhaust of cities that you're exposed to EVERYDAY. Plus, involuntary drug exposure caused by a neighbor who gets high or manufactures meth, and you're exposed because you're packed into the same apartment complex as they are, and pot is legal so nobody does anything to help protect you from the exposure. NO-- I prefer living in IA where I can afford my own, free-standing house and keep away from the liberal mindset of drugs.
Some videos I have watched about Ragbrai (Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) which takes place the last week of July every summer confirms what you said about how hot it gets there in the summer. I can almost imagine popcorn popping out of the corn husk on hot summer afternoons.
Fantastic native American history, green rolling fields, Mississippi River all along the east coast, Missouri on the west, Loess Hills , high cliffs along rivers, woodlands, fantastic skies, clouds, sunsets, and yes, tornadoes. What's not to love?
As a thirteen-year Iowa resident I have to say- all fair points! There are good people working to improve the culture and inclusivity of our state and I do my best to support them. 👍
You know I don't think Iowa, at least Northeast Iowa where I lived, really has a diversity problem. I think the culture issue is more the product of an Iowan cultural mindset that basically hates creativity and whim. And by hate, yes, I do mean desiring to engage in violence. Also, be careful of the word "inclusivity," it's EXTREMELY abused.
I'm from Des Moines Ia, born n raised I currently live n San Diego Ca which I absolutely love. It's a great place 2 grow up i do miss the different seasons especially the fall time but I don't miss the brutal winters. San Diego is home now but Iowa will always have s special place n my 💙.
I absolutely loved this video and appreciated your painfully honest perspective and insight on living in Marion. So, I lived in Ames in 2015. I did not encounter some of the things you did (the odors, the farm equipment and I did not have a summer there to compare); however, I did encounter the harsh winter (I expected it) though it did not last more than a few months, the lack of diversity, the bland food. I am originally from NYC and lived in NY/NJ for a long time; then I lived in Miami for an even longer time (let me talk to you about weather, traffic, and a LOT of crime and the worst bugs in the universe - plus it is so humid that when you take a shower and go outdoors you immediately need a shower and then get attacked by darn gnats everywhere and mosquitos that could kill you and the biggest palmetto bugs/roaches that fly too), Champaign IL (harsh winter - yes, harsh summer - yes!!!) but it was a really nice place to live (even for a city girl!), I lived in Knoxville, TN, and now the absolute worst place on the planet at the moment - Greenville, NC (weather, bugs, traffic, poverty, backward thinking, poor health care). This place is a cesspool. But anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed your video and I hope things get better!
Your comment is very helpful. I am a New Yorker, and I live in Jersey now and was thinking of moving again. I lived in a couple of states out west and I lived in Virginia for a bit. I was thinking about Iowa, but I don't know. I have passed through there but I don't know if I could live in iowa.
@@Qunyc1985 I can live (and do) in the midwest, but Champaign or somewhere in IL is easier for me than was Ames. I liked it, but I don't think it would have worked out long term; probably not for you either. I didn't love Indianapolis, IN either for different reasons. Took way too long to get anywhere. No matter where you lived (unless the expensive downtown), it is 30 minutes to a lot more to get ANYWHERE. Too stressful, crappy roads, crappy traffic, rude people. At least mostly people were kind in IA, but I would say IL anyday before IA for diversity's sake. Another great place, if you don't mind the south, is Knoxville, TN. I am NOT a fan of the south, but it is a nice place of all of them. NC was horrible for me, as was FL. I guess it depends on your lifestyle, what you're looking for! I have lived in 11 or 12 states, so I am a wanderer. 🙂
@@jbjacobs9514 I am in Elizabeth NJ, the Elmora section. I am spoiled. It's incredibly convenient. I was just thinking about not paying the property taxes. I am just going to focus on making more money after the research I have been doing. This whole area is being rebuilt as well. Thank you again.
@@Qunyc1985 Go for it! You have to do what is best for you. I watched a video the other day of someone driving through Elizabeth. I remember it from the 70s. Very different now! Property taxes are a killer, I know. Do the best you can! :-) Just please take care, be happy, healthy, and safe, and good luck with whatever you do. If you don't mind, please let me know if you ever do end up moving. I would love to know how your life goes. Happy Easter and Happy Passover!
@@jbjacobs9514 thank you. You are a good human being and based on the time periods you are mentioning. I know you are from well within the 20th century. I was born in the 1980s. I'll definitely reach out.
Fé Fé I love the fair, where I live there’s a little more diversity than every where else in Iowa, and how nice most people are. My least favorite is feeling like you’re always the minority & always having to travel to a different town if you want “nice” restaurant & malls.
Fé My channel has a more city view of things and less of the stereotypical Iowa version lol.So far anyway- plus I’ve been doing more things inside lately.
Vivacious_V That is so true, one have to travel for a shopping. You can never find exactly what you want in one place. Moms and pops shops are almost extinct and retail stores are dying out. There can’t quite compete with Amazon online retail and convenience. No too long ago I discovered consignment stores, and food co-ops they change my life lol, forced me to buy locally.
Fé Bean hi! I’m also from Haiti but I’m living in FL right now I hear a lots of good things and bad things about That place as well .im thinking about moving up there to save up some money as we all know florida is a very expensive place to live . Your thoughts place .
I work at St Joseph Catholic church in Marion IA. Come on over to join us. I moved here three years ago to take this job and I was surprised how bad the bugs were also! God bless you.
I was born and raised in Davenport so I didn't experience the smells unless we went out to visit relatives. I'm in Chicagoland now and when I go back the worst thing is the water. It just tastes off. Maybe I'm too used to filtered water. You're right about the food too. We considered Taco John's and Olive Garden to be "ethnic". Moving to Chicagoland and having mangos for the first time felt like mana from the gods.
I grew up in Iowa, but left in 2004. Some of the things you dislike are the things I disliked. Slow farm equipment on the roads. Cedar Rapids being the "City of 5 Smells." I remember friends coming to my house and making comments that my family must not like the taste of meat because we use seasonings. I remember how most Hawkeye fans didn't actually go to the college, but most Cyclone fans did go to Iowa State. Also around the time I left there was a lot of open racism towards Mexicans. Anytime there was some gun-related crime in Cedar Rapids you had people blaming Chicago.
I am starting to appreciate Oregon... that said I haven’t watched the video yet The weather sounds similar to Oregon... more humid there sounds like...
I wouldn't say that. Iowa has much more extreme seasons, although Oregon, like most of the West, can have huge variations in temperature from day to night. Nowhere in Oregon has the kind of thunderstorms you get in Iowa, or the high winds. Oregons really got three major weather zones, Eastern, Littoral & the Willamette Valley south of Sherwood, of the three I would say Eastern Oregon is the most similar to Iowa but has a less intense summer, vastly less precipitation, and yes, much less humidity. The Littoral (which includes Portland, all tidal areas of the Columbia and the coast) is similar to Seattle and the Willamette Valley is nearly identical in weather to Provence, which is why its a major wine-growing region.
I moved from South Georgia to Perry Iowa(30 mins from Des Moines). I am half Filipino and my kids are half black. I was worried about diversity at first but there are plenty of African ( Eritrean), Indian, Latin Immigrants here. I was pretty surprised. It's just depends on where you live. When I visited family in West Central Iowa... it was all white lol.
At the time you published this video I would have lived in Iowa over 60 years minus a year in Minnesota and a handful of years in California. Everything you say is TRUE and I think this is a hilarious video. It is also well produced, except for your misspelling of NIGHTMARE. Also, some of you photos were visually stunning which counter-argued the voice over of things you DISLIKE. Well... Somebody clearly put some time and thought into this video. Looking forward to future videos from you. Think about publishing on Vimeo and Internet Archive...
I've been here for about oh, 20 years now. I'd say the only thing I don't like is airline transportation to other places. The fares are so cheep out of Chicago but it's really hit or miss for Iowa. There was also the technology issues but that the state seems to be catching up.
We moved from Atlanta to Davenport, IA about 4 years ago. Iowa is like another planet compared to Georgia. It is truly a horrible place to live and other than our church family, there really isn’t a single thing we like about Iowa. The people are generally under-skilled, arrogant, selfish, and rude. Just about everyone smokes cigarettes and has arms full of tattoos. Labor unions run rampant and unchecked in factories causing innovation to be totally stifled. We are a bi-racial family (Asian/white) and I can tell you there are more racists here than I ever encountered living in the Deep South. But, this is where I work so I can either choose to be miserable or just embrace the suck. Great video and misery loves company!!!
Davenport is a little ass backward, I have heard. The smaller town folks tend to be more ignorant, when it come to mixed race couples. Where I live is a bit better. It’s not California or Atlanta, or anything, but it is durable. People tend to see more mixed race couples because Ageon, Quaker oats, Rockwell Collins brought a bit of diversity to where I live. How long have you lived in DV?
ImOn , mediacon, and Centurylink. Mediacom has a bigger reach, and offer faster internet. ImOn is only in Cedar Rapids, Centurylink is too spotty to even consider.
At Least Cedar Rapids and Marion should offer Fiber Optic Internet services, because some rural areas in Iowa offer Faster and More Reliable Internet service the Greediacom!!
I live in Marion Iowa. I was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I never smell farms at all unless I am driving in the country....But....when you do sell it, ugh!
You describe it pretty well. I would add that we have alot of cultural diversity people-wise but there is not enough recognition and exposure to everyones culture. Not racist just not enough celebrating (festivals, holidays, etc.) And little public transportation that would be of help getting to/from work. Having a car is pretty important. The last crime: sad but true a lot of crimefor smaller communities. I have lived here over 50 years and it is not as wholesome for raising kids as it used to be.
First, I love your accent! Second you are absolutely right about your description of Iowa. Stinky super farms you can smell for miles! Too hot and humid in summer (I'm from NY, so I know), and too cold in winter! I know a lot of people from here will disagree with us, and I'm glad they like it here. This place is not for me! The first person with $80k can buy my house and I will be gone!😁
I live in Iowa it is such a great place. I live right beside a cornfield and hayfield am right next to that there is a football and softball field.
We have all that in SoCal and Texas too. People in Iowa are very nice but the lack of diversity is a deal breaker. I'm glad three if my grandbabies live there though. I don't want them in Los Angeles. No way.
You don't like my state then LEAVE Linn County!!
@@barbyoung1471 wait, to whom is your comment directed, ma'am?
Where? I ask for a reason...
You're a baller?! I guarantee I've wrecked your soil. Where's your roots Kid? In Iowa, my boys took the test and laid down the rest. Any idea who I am? Ah, from your pic, you're too young to know my name, ask your Pops if he was a baller, House doesn't budge... Look it up...
I personally think Iowa is underrated its rarely talked about but it has so much history and its beautiful i am glad i live here
Let's keep it that way!
Just curious, where else have you lived?
I moved here from atl and yeah nobody talks about this place🤣 it basically doesn’t exist but has really nice living for the low‼️
Shh don't let them know man, I don't want my community ruined
Yeah anytime I go anywhere else I'm like " yeah I can get why you guys might like this, But I in fact hate it for more than 2 days"
If you dislike Iowa, keep driving..
Just because a state is flat doesn't make it ugly. Flat land is farm land, and with that comes manure. You grow a tolerance to it after time. Without that flat farmland no one would eat.
Plus, 60 miles or so to your east is the Mississippi river. It's most definitely not flat there. It's stunning. I lived in a cute apartment on a high bluff in Dubuque for awhile. Nighttime views of the bridges and rivers was magical.
Iowa's beauty may be different from other states, but that doesn't mean it isn't beautiful at all. Sometimes you have to look closer for the beauty.
A lot of things you described are accurate, but most Iowans are willing to take the bugs and humidity and snow storms for a safe, quiet place to live.
I lived around Seattle for nearly 20 years. I moved back to IA because the people are nicer; they'll actually TALK to you in IA. There's virtually no traffic; free parking all over the place. Lots of fresh, clean air. Lower crime rate. Affordable housing. Sure, Seattle area had alot of amenities, but couldn't afford to go after factoring in gas for the commute and parking. Also, nearly everything in the large city is chain restaurants. Very few individual, one of a kind restaurants. Sure, there are some nice restaurants in large cities, but, again-- can you afford it? Nearly everything is a franchise and if I want to eat microwaved frozen food, I can do that at home without paying a tip! I can bicycle, again, in IA, without being confined to a bike trail filled with walkers and baby strollers and dogs. Oh yeah-- in the large cities, now, EVERYBODY has to take their dogs with them EVERYWHERE. To the store/restaurant/dr's office/post office. If you're allergic to dog dander, it's hell. That's another reason why I moved back to IA-- people here still have the decency to consider others and not take their dogs into public stores/restaurants, etc. And they have the decency to change their clothes before leaving their house, if they're covered in animal fur! It's called MANNERS. AND, YES, IOWANS STILL HAVE THEM, THANK GOD!
I also moved to Northeast Iowa (Cedar Falls/Waverly) from Seattle back in 2015, although near Seattle is where I'm originally from, though I do have some family in Iowa and the only Fretheim farm is about halfway between Decorah and Spillville in Madison Township. I also like Iowa, although it's funny hearing you say they're nice because Iowans are actually probably the biggest assholes in the Midwest (hence the Jackson Browne song...) I love the communities, and the land is actually very beautiful, especially up near the driftless region and along the Cedar River. Iowa's also a surprisingly good architecture state, and you especially see this in that glorious architectural time capsule of the Edwardian Age known as Dubuque. I actually didn't think it was all that lacking for amenities, although it is true that stuff is much further apart. Ditto on the traffic. I probably would have remained in Iowa, but I lost my job at John Deere and ended up relocating about a month later.
I am moving out of Iowa and I grew up here. I hate "Iowa nice", "Iowa nice" is so fake. It's people being nice to your face and talking poorly about each other behind each other's backs. I would rather not talk to other people. I like people leaving me alone and also not asking me for help every five minutes. People from Iowa are also very dramatic, everything is a big deal. Again I'm orginally from Iowa. The food is plain, and there isn't much to do.
Oh and let's not forget about people's moodiness because of the weather. Spring is beautiful but people are grouchy in the spring and hard to deal with.
@@allysonyearous1014 Bye-bye.
People in Iowa complaining about bugs (and heat). lol Try Louisiana and Florida.
I don’t either
Then I wasn't talking about you, obviously. lol
Right
I went to Florida in a heat wave not as bad as humity and 110 degree weather
@@noahsvlogs1895 I don't get what you were trying to say. Florida does have those things. lol
Born and raised in Iowa. All you say is true. I moved to California 20 years ago and love it. But I really miss the great people of Iowa. I guess I will always be an Iowan.
I live in Florida......just was curious how people living in Iowa.
I lived in Denver prior to moving here. Before moving state I scoured the Internet for information regarding Iowa lifestyle, to no avail.
I figure if something doesn’t exit I should do my part to bring it into existence lol. That is why I make these videos. I figure people might be curious about life here in the big sky state. Lol
@@Fe-Bean although I respect your opinion and perspective I think you need to do some road trips and explore Iowa...I think you'd be pleasantly surprised what you find.
Stay in Florida. You’ll only find pain and misery in Iowa.
@@Fe-Bean where is the difference between living in iowa and denver??
Iowa & florida are 2 different weather condtions one is hot & sunny the other is cold so i think the best to do is don't rely on anyone's opinion just visit Iowa and experience it your self.😁
I'm considering Iowa and it was great to hear from someone who lives there! Very informative, thank you ❤️
You’re welcome. Where do you live right now ?
@@Fe-Bean I'm currently in Utah. Looking for better job opportunities after graduating.
Very conservative state with amazing ski resorts lol ( used to live an Colorado I’ve snowboarded in Utah).
Anyway, Iowa I a way is like Utah the change may not be too severe.
Good luck with everything.
Much love 💕
@@Fe-Bean do u know anything about osage iowa?
I live in iowa and if you live Marion and don’t go to other cities like Des Moines... your missing out!!!
That is soooo true. We went to Boone Scenic Valley not too long ago and it was super fun.
What do you like to do in and around Des Moines?
My mom and I ate by this lake in Des Moines one night when the weather was nice and it was beautiful
@@Fe-Bean you should come to dubuque we have lots of amazing architecture and history here
That is true, and the view is lovely. However, a lot of these beautiful houses were in disrepair. So the town looked a little neglected.
In 2016 There was an influx of Chicago bad apples that debarked on your shores, and the brought with them some really unsavory habits...
However, Dubuque has better and more diverse cuisine, and better entertainment than CR.
@@Fe-Bean obviously don't know the place well
I grew up in Kalona, IA and now live in Orange County, CA. I do miss the small town feel but not the winters. I would consider moving to Des Moines.
We are actually considering it actually. We went and visit not too long ago. If it is different enough we will move.
Des Moines has been top places to live, jobs, etc. I like it much better than CR area!
I concur lol. I did notice Des Moines has a bit more culture than CR. The restaurant scene is also more diverse which is a plus. However, public schools in CR and Coalville are better than those of Des Moines.... unless we sent our kids to private school. We’re closer to make a decision now.
How do you like Cali as oppose to CR and what do you miss about CR?
Des moines is not much better do not let people lie to you iowa is iowa it is over priced Living in des moines and jobs do not pay that great here in des moines it is like a mini Chicago it's your choice to live here but I recommend look at other states
@@williamvilla4992 I lived all over the US from Boston, Minneapolis, Phoenix and now Southern California. CA is definitely over priced.
A few thoughts from someone who's lived in Iowa 55 years: Marion water sucks, Cedar Rapids water is good. Bridges are in disrepair because they didn't raise the gas tax forever. It had something to do with ethanol production at large political-donor factories like ADM. Ethanol was subsidized and the gas tax kept low to make ethanol seem cheap, but the infrastructure suffered for it. Winter sucks. Crime is relatively low. Traffic isn't bad, especially compared to Florida. There's some strange fascination here with Bud Light, which tastes like fizzy water. If you're not drunk enough with green beer on St. Pat's Day, you can do it again with red beer in Czech Village 2 days later on St. Joseph's Day. Good luck with everything Fe! BTW, the only place I've ever seen it hot, sunny, windy, rainy and snowy at the same time was atop Bear Butte, the Indian holy mountain in SD. I don't know of any holy mountains in Marion, unless you're talking about that steaming pile of cow dung, where a person might use a few "holy" expletives to describe it.
Phil Thank you Sir for adding to the conversation. I appreciate you and your wonderful sense of humor. Thanks again 🙏
Phil Gervais Cedar Rapids water is great (I live here) Iowa city water sucks
That’s right. My husband is into beers and love most the beer mention here. He even told a bout wounded soldiers, beach whales, white wale of beer etc ( beer lingo lol)
Water in marion is terrible too.
@Laurie McVey I like genesee
Your taking about the town you live in . that's not just Iowa not all of Iowa is like that . if your move to places that is factory and farmers yes . so maybe you should report on farmer town and factory's you shouldn't label your dislike on Iowa because you cedar rapid s is not all of iowa
Factory farms have polluted the air and water in much of the state, and state govt has sold out to big ag to do so. It’s naive to pretend your so called local officials have your interests in mind.
If you don't like Iowa and hate living here....then why do you? Move where you are happy and leave Iowa.
Not that simple, some places are too expensive
Do outer states even know that we exist?
I do. I freaking hate my state, but yins live in a better state than me.
🙊💔
Other countries know you exist! Love from Mexico 🇲🇽❤️
yeah only because of slipnot 😂
I was born in Cedar Rapids, and lived in Cedar Falls until I was nearly 23. I have now lived in Maryland for the last 18 years. Most self-professed geographic whizzes here in Maryland are completely unaware of the difference between Iowa, Ohio, and Idaho.
No. As an Ohioan who moved to the west coast and have family on the east, nobody even knows that Iowa, Idaho, Ohio are different places.
Don't pay mind to those trashy comments, your video is about what you don't like in a light hearted way. You have valid points and issues and you were never disrespectful. It's good to point out issues anywhere you live to keep improving and growing.
I appreciate your saying that. I’ve come to notice If you tell some of the natives about the negatives sides of Iowa , they get really offended. I’d wish they didn’t take my opinion so personally...
Thanks for dropping by my channel 😄
Funny how foreigners express their displeasure in American territories
If you don’t like it, leave it!
Been in IOWA since 1994 I love it we have everything except pollut here we have wonderful lakes and rivers to go have fun fishing with friends and family plenty of trails to hike and nice state parks oh and if you didn't know we also have wonder caves in iowa the makeoketa state park caves .... Oh and our awesome adventureland and our festivals and out state fairs ....oh boy I love IOWA
It sounds like you need to leave Iowa. Do you need a ride? I would love to come back to Iowa. I miss Iowa city and Cedar Rapids so much. Also I miss going to the Iowa games. I will trade you places!!
I would gladly trade you...
IOWA SUCKS ITS A SLOW DEATH. SOME OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE NEVER INTERACTED BLACKS AND I MEAN NEVER AND ITS 2021!!!!
The only time you see a black is on tv
@@Fe-Bean Where do you live?
@@beachlife8168 I had black friends. I had a great time with them. But then again when I am with people I do not spend all my time looking at the color of their skin. I loved my black friends. We are what is in our hearts. We were all made by the almighty God. He made each one of us for a purpose. That purpose is to first love and serve Him and then to love others as we love ourselves. I love Jesus Christ and I have given my life to Him at it changed my life. I also strive to love and serve others as he did. If you have not given your life to Him I would love to talk to you and help you know how to become a child of our Lord Jesus Christ. I love you has I do everyone.
Also there are many things to do in Iowa. I posted a video of just a handful off things to do. I lived in North Liberty and worked at the U of I hospital. Also I loved to go to the Amana Colonies and walk around and eat their fantastic food.
Jesus loves you and wants you to spend eternity with Him. I have lived my life and I am now in a nursing home just waiting for Him to take me home.
I myself am transplanted here from Minneapolis, to be honest, Iowa, North Central Iowa is a wonderful place to live, very affordable, the people are very decent and nice here, as well as open minded to people of different ethnic backgrounds, the weather is pretty mild also, I've been here twenty five years now and I love it, everything is much more relaxed here, low crime, low property taxes, sure There's dickhead closeminded people around, but they are everywhere in the world sadly, I hope you give Iowa a second chance, I did, and now I have no plans of living anywhere else, incorrect, we receive a warm sunny summer and fall n spring very much comparable to other states, Liked vid , even though I think your judgement is somewhat premature, Like vid anyway and hit thumbs up, Good Up for sharing, StaySafe
My Mom may be moving to Dubuque from South Africa as an RN- do you know how affordable housing is?
She will not have any issues finding affordable housing in Dubuque. Life in Debuque is affordable.
The property tax rates are not low in Iowa. House values are simply lower. Overall Iowa is not very tax friendly but the low cost of living offsets this negative.
A great place to live overall but property taxes are huge in Iowa lol
@@Frotz yearly my property taxes were $700 per year for a two bedroom house in a small town of five hundred people
That is correct.
I’m from California but moving to Iowa in August for school at ISU. Although I think I’ll miss the mountains. I do love how green it is there during summer compared to here. Beautiful rolling hills too.
Could like it here in the spring too. Summer in winter might be a bit of an adjustment lol.
There will be a big culture shock moving from Cali to Ames (I moved from the city to Ames). There are some great things about ISU and Ames and some bad things. The people overall are very nice (the food was blah), the weather obviously is different - you will not see too many chain restaurants or stores. If you like a college town, it is mainly that. The bus system is great runs all hours and most places (most of the time). There is NO diversity for the most part. The university itself is pretty cool. I really loved a lot of things about Ames and ISU. The only thing, if you are NOT a student it is hard to find housing that is not student centered. The houses for rent or even sale and apts are astronomically expensive and again, cater to students.
@@jbjacobs9514 I finished my first semester at ISU and am flying back on Sunday for my second. I absolutely loved it in Ames especially the "small town feel" compared to what I was used to. Made lots of great friends and I enjoy the food as well. Can't wait for my next 3 years in Ames working on my degree.
@@SlimyShellos Thanks for updating me! I realized after I wrote when you actually posted and saw it was 9 months ago. I am so happy it worked out well for you, especially considering a pandemic. I was there pre-crazy times! I am so happy for you! I wish you the best in your degree and in finding happiness, fun, and everything good! I hope you come back here or somewhere on You Tube and talk about your time at ISU and Ames in the future. :-)
I live in Redwood City California. I have been to Iowa in the summer, fall and the winter to visit family. I agree with you on all your points. The winter was a bit depressing. The heat in summer was humid and HOT! I loved the fall weather there because is was the first true fall I ever experienced. There is no food culture that I experienced for the most part, but the breakfast at Waveland was great and I had a pork tenderloin sandwich for the first time and that was yummy. I'm of mixed race and when I went to the mall in Des Moines a woman actually said out loud, I wish you Mexicans would get the hell out of Iowa and was looking directly at me. I'm part Hawaiian, Chineses, and Caucasian. I don't have any Spanish or Mexican blood in me. I was kind of taken a back when she said that out loud. It definitely has a distinct smell. I couldn't put my finger on it but it was a mix of chemical and animal.
Yea. They are racists here in iowa. Workplace, Doctors, Police, and court rooms. Black folk have to deal with alot of KARENisity out here. It will really give you PTSD and Anxiety problems 👍🏾🤷🏽
I’m sure that totally happened!
@@joeykremple aw. It definitely did. Whites in iowa are SOOOO emtitled. This is America dangit! Yall have to learn to share land with other Americans...that were born in America 👦🏾👈🏾 bunch of selfish little shits 👀🤦🏽💯
See, the problem is you’re from commiefornia. Y’all are ruining other states like Colorado Oregon Idaho Nevada and others. As a Californian from Sacramento if they were really being racist just ignore them, otherwise, don’t go back to Iowa. Good riddance.
@@samblue8904yes Iowa is a very biased city I wrote a book about it, and the police is not really protective there in on human trafficking so this video I agree with I'm glad I'm not the only one that experienced racism here, and I have kids my kids was bullied at schools I had to transfer them etc and now I have a son that's at the healing farm I have to say my life here in Iowa not very pleasant but GOD keeping me here to make a difference.
I'm thinking about relocating to Iowa, I just have few questions, hows the healthcare career...I just graduated from Sterile Processer Tech, renting a 1to 2 bedroom is it expensive, how about when it comes to transportation, is it available and if, so from what time to what time does the system run?... TIA
Sazon Man Iowa is decent place to live. I’ve been here for 8 years I have not encounter too many issues. Linn Mar district and north Cedar Rapids are the best place to live. Public transportation exist but it’s not the best. The bus come every 30:00 minutes. Work is plentiful. Housing is affordable. There winter weathers pretty harsh. In a nutshell that is iowa
@Jeff Young Hi excuse me, where do you live? I was considering to move to Des Moines..
I love the 4 seasons in Iowa. Travel and explore Iowa. Explore the waterfalls. Explore the Loess Hills. Loess Hills are glaciers retreated north at the end of the last Ice Age. Today the 650,000 acres Loess Hills landscape rises 200 feet above the Missouri River. Northwest Iowa visit Lake Okoboji. Also a lot of History there.
Iowa is not flat I have been in Iowa for 13 years but I still do agree
Hawkeye Point is the highest natural point in Iowa at 1,670 feet (510 m). Plus Iowa is 95% farmland which means flat lol. In the grand scheme on thing Iowa is pretty flat lol.
PS : Are you from IA?
@@Fe-Bean yes i am i have lived in iowa for 13 years
also you know what we could also live in dif pats and all the parts i have been it has not been flat it has hills not mou tains but high hills
True that. 😉
I can tell you were I'm from Sioux City IA its not flat here right outside SW of here is losse hills key word hill. People that come here are amazed by the hills. The smell well yes smaller town/city in Iowa do smell. The smell of money lol do your research we are doing far better economicly and people are still forward thinking enough to improve. We will all find faults where we live. Oh ya we also have some of the best medical docs in the United States as well I live hour from children's hospital and in sioux city we have one of the best heart hospitals as well.
I just moved to Carroll, Iowa a few months ago. I agree with everything you said. The one and only thing I really love about Iowa besides the quietness is the jobs. You'll never be left without a job in Iowa lol. Good video.
618Videos True that ! I’ll be making a video about the thing I like about Iowa soon. As you mentioned above finding a job that pays well is one of them.
Thanks for the time to add a comment.
I also live in Carroll.....Moved here in 2017. It's not a bad little town and the people are reserved but pretty nice. (I moved here from Dumas, TX)
@@moman-pm7wy Nice man. I worked with a dude from Texas that moved to Carroll. We worked at new hope together was a cool dude
Depends on where you live.
@@beforgiven9055 Not really.
I’m proud of being an Iowan
@@todddoetken2594 then get out. Everyone can like where they live. I think Illinois sucks but I’m not judging everyone who likes it
@@todddoetken2594 assuming their on drugs is discrimination
@@todddoetken2594 Some people get high off of the smell of the manure.
I live in Waukee which is one of the bigger cities in Iowa (Keep in mind we still have less than 20,000 people living here and are a bigger city) and I still end up behind a tractor literally all the time
True that ! It is Iowa way if telling us to slow down and smell The flowers 💐. Because when one is stuck behind a huge tractor 🚜 there nothing you can do about it. Might as well turn up the music and enjoy the right lol.
That's because Waukee is a 'burb' of Des Moines and surrounded by farm land. The farm equipment usually stays off the heavier traveled roads if they can. If you take a lighter traveled state highway or gravel - you're on your own.
Oof. I hope you realize people in Ankeny, Altoona, and Pleasant Hill all hate you guys lol. (Especially SEP students like...)
Waukee what a joke. That's a suburb.
As far as the stench from the poop in the farms. At least you don't have to walk in it like human poop on sidewalks of SF
I used to live in San Francisco, much of the town smells like pee. The downtown area is an open-air toilet. 😮
Dairy Air is the hallmark of American Agriculture haha Living in Wisconsin has taught me to appreciate all the not-so-subtle nuances of living in farm country. I've grown accustomed to many of the things you've mentioned while I've been living in Wisconsin, so I'm not dissuaded from moving to Iowa :-)
One question for you. Have you seen any tornadoes during the seven-years you've lived in Iowa?
What's the name of the song at 5:55?
Let go by Ikson.
Got out as soon as I could after HS, went into AF in '79. Never even waited for class pic. 13 yrs. of one continuous nightmare in IA.
Your comment intrigues me. Would you care to explain more?
the fact that he didn´t care though lol @@alexanderfretheim5720
Best place for home to income ratio, best state to raise a family, best medium-sized city growth in the Midwest, more bars than you can count, continuous growth and renovation across the entire Des Moines area, new festivals added each year. I love this state, but definitely agree with you about the weather!
I plan on moving to Iowa soon. What city do you recommend? I'm 19 so I wouldn't want to live next to the cornfields. I'd like to live in the city, where the jobs are at. My main focus in finding work.
@@chrisg966 we just bought a house in West Des Moines - WDM and Waukee seems to be where all the young people are moving. Great and growing neighborhoods. Appreciating value on all home classes/types. 10 minutes from everything you need in all directions. Great apartment and townhouse options too if you’re renting. Let me know if you have any other questions. I know more about Iowa than I should 😂
@@chrisg966 other suburbs I would recommend: Urbandale, Clive, Ankeny (if you’re buying a house and don’t mind traffic), Altoona, and grimes. All have benefits to them but location will be your best friend in this state as usually everything is a 30+ minute drive unless you live in the Des Moines area.
@@matthewsnell5486 I'd love to pick your brain about Iowa. Is there a way we can talk outside of YT? My Twitter & Instagram is @Chris2FC.
I lived in Iowa ever since I was born and I can relate in most of these 😂
Same tho- I used to live in a big town and now I live in a smaller town which is Amazing
Great video, cannot wait to see more. Have a great day.
Lived in Altonna,IA currently in CO and trying to convince my hubby to move back to IA with the kiddos!! Nice people!
Are there tornadoes there? I’m interested but I got to have internet.
Yes, but they are not as severe at the ones in Oklahoma
Just depends on where you go.
Iowa has actually had just as many F-5/EF-5 tornadoes since 1953 that Oklahoma has. One ripped thru Parkersburg, IA in 2008 with 220 mph winds. It was 1.25 miles wide and it leveled half the town. It killed 7 people in Parkersburg, and 2 more in New Hartford. It was the most destructive tornado in Iowa history.
Yes, every Spring. Personally, I pray and they go away. So, faith plays a big role in safety in IA-- and a basement.
@@Fe-Bean, we have EF5 tornadoes here. We also have the internet in rural areas. We aren't quite as backwards as you think. Every single town in this country had both good & bad aspects to it. Iowa isn't for everyone, thankfully.
I watched for u i mean i run for you the whole playlist...you are so nice and loyal u deserve it...th PL with 20 vids
Babymom Lifestyle
Awww you are the absolute best.
Thank you.
Love you sis. 🤗🥰
I live in north central Florida and can relate to the bugs and muggy, hot summers. In the last few years the summers have become increasingly more rainy all day...not the sunny summer days and 1 hour afternoon showers I remember as a kid. There is also a big fluctuation in temperatures. We will have cold weather for the first half of the week and hot, muggy days for the rest of the week with no breeze whatsoever. Forget about a real spring here. It goes from cold one week to humid weather the next week. Weather closer to the gulf or Atlantic coast is probably different.
Cedar Rapids: The City of Five Smells
Stated the locals.
I like the captain crunch smell 😂😂
Crunch berry day is the best
avoid fort dodge. its got a lot, and im not understating this, a lot of drugs, and its getting more violent. it made my cousin worry enough to go get his carry permit, and his wife went and got hers also. if she didnt already own the family home, she wouldnt live there. my cousin said he over insured the home and hopes for storm or fire when they go on vacation or are out camping or when the house will be empty for a few days. before i got hurt, and he was just getting serious with the girl he married, i was with them and we arrived to a partially open front door, and my cousin only had a baseball bat for protection, and his son has his bat for baseball at school. he grabbed the bat and i told him to wait outside the front but dont go up the steps. he tucked in low and i went in the back, i told the girls to drive down the street and park so she could watch from a distance, and lock the doors. i went in, cleared it from basement to the top floor and i found nobody, the electronics were moved but none taken (it seems they like newer stuff that doesnt weigh 600lbs) and some of the bedroom drawers were open. a small safe had been beat with a hammer but they couldnt break in, and it was in a closet wall, its where family jewels and such are kept, along with documents. i called my cousins cell and told him it was clear. this isnt the worst. i just had a weird feeling so i went and got my rf meter and i found 3 micro cameras hidden in the house. in the master bath, the master bedroom and in the tv area. i was able to take them and turn them against people, i built them a set of cameras out of the ones left, to watch the doors and we added security features. theres a max security prison there, and 20 miles away, a minimum security facility. every prisoner i knew working with them through the program, they ALL got out, never went further than fort dodge, then got in trouble with drugs and violence again. theres a bit of a saying, "the easiest way for a guy to get a girl in fort dodge is to tell her he just got out of prison", and its pretty accurate. the bars are really hopping the first weekend of every month, when the wellfare and other checks come in, and theres a lot of girls there milking the system. one girl i met slept with 44 guys in one month. she had 3 kids, the courts had 40 men tested to see if they were a father to any, and none were. this girl put on a lot of weight, then it vanished and she looked like a model again in the spring. meth, lots of it, rural meth labs and sometimes hunters find them, in one form or another, off in the woods. the state is bad if you are injurred and lose insurance, you, as a single person, must have a net worth of $2000 or less, no more than one vehicle, one home, and they make you sell off most things and theres really not much help for single men. the max net worth doubles if you are married. arizona is the best place in this sort of situation. iowa culture is mostly found in the ankeny area, its where all the european and african immigrants seem to go, and for the most part, i have met decent people, at least when i was a store clerk, i do not know otherwise. my favorite store is tiny, and i love it when its slow and the family can chat. they are from Poland, and one of them has a boyfriend from Ukraine. great people. i was shopping for a christmas gift for my sister, and another for her husband. as custom, at noon they closed the store for an hour and eat in the back room. they invited me back and insisted i eat with them. it was all laughs and smiles and i worked out a $900 purchase afterward that was below what i would have got anywhere else. so there is culture, just gotta look. living history farms is great, the science center, zoo, the botanical gardens, and, since i spend more time visiting doctors than id like, i would say that the nurses often know more than the doctors lol. iowa is BIG on college football and wrestling. we have also produced some of the best olympic wrestlers
@@dustinshadle732 Fort dodge is a disgusting shithole. Its unreal how bad it is compared to the rest of the state.
Living in a cold state takes a toll on our health lack of sunshine and vitamin D, makes us depressed, step up on your Vitamin D it may sound trivial, but it sure helps when we get into winter it will make your winter days more bearable.it works 🌷
M M It’s so true. My second winter in Iowa, I felt weak and tired and dizzy for months, and did not know what was wrong with me. I visited my doctor and I found out I was deficient in potassium and vitamin D. Only people who live here know about how important it is for one to stock on vitamin D for winters. Lol It’s not something one who lives in Florida would even fathom.
Thanks you for supporting the idea of taking taking Vitamin D during winters in cold places not just Iowa.
This is very, VERY true! I've lived in Northeast Wisconsin for 10-years now and am Vitamin D deficient. I have to take prescription Vitamin D 50,000 iu per week just to supplement my Vitamin D intake! Vitamin D Deficiency can absolutely aggravate clinical depression. It's the worst!
@@themoonlitquill oh my gosh sorry to hear but glad u will be ok,try what the norwegians use for centuries,they swear by cod liver oil every day before winter begins they said it kicks depression to the curb.
@@Debssssss yet there doesn’t seem to be any correlation between life expectancy and state weather. NY state has horrible 5 month long winters (lived here 50 years), yet has one of the highest life expectancy rates, for example.
I bet Iowa is 10 times better from where you migrated from.
honestly i like living i iowa but its just those little things like the weather. like right now where i live there is 7 inches of snow and i can barley get out the dood. but my school still dosent cancle
Kynnady Van Eaton
If it wasn’t for the weather Iowa would have been an ideal place to live. But the weather mess thing up.
@@Fe-Bean very true
I disklike the bugs, however the heat does not bother (sometimes) me. I love the unpredictable weather as I love watching such diverse weather patterns. Cow farms don't bother me but I grew up around areas that just had cattle. But I will admit that pig farms smell terrible. But Iowa can be diverse, some of my best friends are Mennonites. Now about internet were I live in Western Iowa we have a Century Link building in my small town. Now in the West we have beautiful large hills that you could ski down.
Talking about hills i just discovered one near downtown CR. It call Trash hill. It is quite substantial I’ve heard lol. I’ll visit as soon as my kids start school.
I bit Trash Hill “don’t know what they call it that ) is not as rolls or beautiful as the ones you grew up with lol.
Uh, if your idea of diversity is mennonites...hehe
I actually love the farms, nothing like buying the produce for your table from a local farmer, and they're beautiful too. Maybe my severe nasal allergies give me an unfair advantage with respect to the smells. Never been a fan of the Iowa weather though - it's either way too hot or way too cold.
I just don’t like how it gets so hot in the summer but I hate it when it’s cold during the winter
Yeah, I I totally understand. However, I prefer the sweltering summer to the Siberia like winters . During the summer you could go tubbing on one of the rivers or go to a public pool to cool down. The freezing winters around here are too unforgiving, there are a few thing you cool do for entertainment but it is limited. Plus it grey most of the time... I am from the Caribbean, I thrive on heat and sunshine.
Here's my list.
1. Bad food.
2.bad weather.
3.a total lack of class.
4.everyone is so straight laced and wholesome it's boring as hell.
5.the cites are ugly they are only built for function not to be appreciated.
6.there is no vibe of excitement.
7.the cities are like living in a 3rd world country the roads are horrible.
8. There's no sexy in iowa people don't dress to Impress.
9. There's only 2 things to do. Work and hope for death to come on swift wings...
A fee more things to add. There are more more churches, gentlemen club, and porn shops per capita than anywhere in the anywhere else in the midwest
One of our daughters lives in Iowa with her husband and children. I was born in Guatemala and raised in Texas and mostly California. Iowa was absolute culture shock. I've been there 06 times and i have to adapt every single time. I'm most struck by the lack of diversity in culture, racial, topographical, as it pertains to food, ethnicities, EVERYTHING!
Ha ha. Some of the Iowan who visited my channel, truly believe talking about culture shot in Iowa is spewing nonsense lol
@@Fe-Bean i could probably make good money out in Iowa. Charge $5 to let people watch me hot comb my hair, cook collard greens with bacon ends, black beans, and I'll read the Bible to em En Español. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@AlphaMom55 storm lake Iowa is all Micronesians, thaiwanese, Mexicanos , el salvadorians and maybe a handful of gringos. I agree it’s not for everyone but it is diverse enough in parts , I even found some Cubans cuz they speak Spanish like they’re drunk so easy to pick out. All in a fairly small town .
@@evaneichenberger845 I've been to Storm Lake multiple times. Didn't seem diverse at all. There's a town called Bradgate that is 100% white according to the census. I didn't know towns like that even existed.
Yeah u must’ve got the wrong town or a weird day , everything is a taqueria or pupuseria or stuff in Taiwanese which I can’t understand besides the Walmart , Arby’s , and Burger King . To me it’s come full circle , white people don’t have much of a presence on the coasts but they do in the Midwest along with the natives cuz it’s where they came from and still haven’t been completely bred out like on the coasts. Iowa as a whole is too white bread for my taste too but they will pull u out of the snow where in Houston no one will even think to help anyone unless they flash money.
Hey can you tell something about Ames city in Iowa?
I’ll be moving to Cedar Rapids from Los Angeles next month (I think) and I have a lot of questions about the utilities, how is Amazon fresh, Uber/ lift/ Uber eats/ door dash etc. I just want to have a better idea of what I’m getting myself(and kids) into 😁🙄
All I've heard about Cedar Rapids that's there's a lot of crime by Iowa standards. Rent is cheap compared to California. $700 a month should get you a good apartment. There's work everywhere here.
If you don't like Iowa.... MOVE
Dont get your panties in a wad cuz someone doesn't like your corn-fed inbred shithole of a state. Jesus Christ dude
Thanks for the post...I thought living in Iowa would be a cool place to relocate. But I can't do the smells, and I need diversity, good food, entertainment.
FYI Iowa is the number one state in growing corn. They also ship a lot of grain to China thanks to governor Branstad. Best governor Iowa ever had and he was governor many years. Now he is in China.
My wife and i were born in central Iowa and didnt leave the state till we were in our 30s....these are true but iowa has a lot to be proud of at same time....economy is good, lots of jobs, great University's and top schools, very close family cultures ...now we miss living there...especially for the low crime
So where you live rn?
I'm looking at moving to Ames, IA in 2022. Im not really nervous at all. Just 100% super EXCITED!!!
Ames is fun. It’s a college town, so a lot of bars and it always lively. Good luck 🍀
Thanks 😊 so much.
Ames is God’s Country - disregard the silent minority of freeks and fruits and you will realize how great it is.
I’m currently planing on movie to Iowa august 17th thanks for this great video
I agree the weather here is on crack lol
That’s an interesting way to put it but I do agree. October 3 2018 it was 80°F oct 4 2018 it was 46°F.
Oct 6.... 🌧 and more ☔️
🤯
@@Fe-Bean i didnt know how to put it but the weather is bipolar. I dont live in cedar rapids though. I think im a couple hrs from there
Ha ha I was joking 🙃 lol. Are you in Des Moines as it is a couple of hours away from Cedar Rapids.
@@Fe-Bean good lord that was a good guess lol
Ho my gosh this is so cool! The fact that I am talking to someone loving in the state of Iowa. Someone that I wouldn’t otherwise meet if it wasn’t for TH-cam. It just great.
Wonderful chatting with you. 😊
If think summer are hot in Iwoa just move to Texas. It get feels like a oven when get too 100. I found Iwoa summers little bit more mild.
The unpredictable weather is so true
Compared to northwest Ohio, Iowa is not flat at all. I actually found the hills around cedar rapids to be a nice change from what I'm used to.
Never been to Ohio, now I am curious. Lol
Ohio is in the top five states for most speed traps, so beware when driving through. Get Waze for your phone!
I live in Utah and I’m just curious about Iowa because I have family in nearby Wisconsin.
Thanks for visiting. Please come again.
Have you ever been to Iowa?
Your experience is a sample size of one. Here are some tips:
Bugs - Get BugSoother, problem solved
Internet - I live in a much smaller town and I have buried fiber. 1GB speed. Also the internet/cable repair guys stink everywhere. This is not just an Iowa thing.
Farm smells - Iowa has the largest population of hogs in the USA, what were you expecting? If the worst thing you smell is burnt grain, you are lucky. Go to a city with a refinery.
Farm machinery - Are you serious? It's Iowa.
Iowa Diversity - You have no idea. There are German, Polish, Swedish, Dutch, Spanish communities everywhere. Plus groups like Amish and Mennonite. You just don't see much of YOUR culture.
Hot Summer - Florida and Arizona laughs at us. The crazy weather is just part of the entire Midwest. Maybe you belong in California?
Hard water - If you have this you need a water softener. Most homes do.
Ag Grade - You moved to the country but are surprised that you don't have city benefits..hmm, who would have expected that?
Views - You are not looking. The entire eastern half of the state is rolling hills to very hilly with rivers and palisades.
Winter - It is NOT bitter cold for 6 months, so that's a lie. Generally Iowans consider it cold from December to the end of February. There have been years we were still cutting grass 2 weeks before Christmas.
I laughed at 👵. Imagine her drinking beer 🍺 and having a Iowa field day on the grain network. Lmao
Corey Washington
Ha aha you’re hilarious. I tried to imagine her drunk. Now this picture will never left my mind. 🤣🤣🤣
Umm...Marion? Seriously? Go to Iowa City! Mason City home of Meriden Wilson! Iowa rocks! Highest literacy rate in the nation! 4 seasons! Feeds the nation!
My name is Mason lol. Been to Mason city to go to Minnesota
If you’re from Haiti 🇭🇹 Iowa is major upgrade, seriously.
Iowa got a lot of nasty Maralago peoples these days
Anywhere is an upgrade from Haiti.
Born and raised in iowa. I live in the city and never smell those smells. I hate Iowa winters, depressing for sure, but I love Iowa.
I'd rather smell fresh dung spread on a field, once a year, than manufacturing smell and unhealthy exhaust of cities that you're exposed to EVERYDAY. Plus, involuntary drug exposure caused by a neighbor who gets high or manufactures meth, and you're exposed because you're packed into the same apartment complex as they are, and pot is legal so nobody does anything to help protect you from the exposure. NO-- I prefer living in IA where I can afford my own, free-standing house and keep away from the liberal mindset of drugs.
Move to balmy Missouri.
Some videos I have watched about Ragbrai (Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) which takes place the last week of July every summer confirms what you said about how hot it gets there in the summer. I can almost imagine popcorn popping out of the corn husk on hot summer afternoons.
I grew up in Marion. We didn’t have those extremes of weather back then. I miss Iowa, though all you say is true!
Fantastic native American history, green rolling fields, Mississippi River all along the east coast, Missouri on the west, Loess Hills , high cliffs along rivers, woodlands, fantastic skies, clouds, sunsets, and yes, tornadoes. What's not to love?
What native American history? Iowa is a cultural desert.
As a thirteen-year Iowa resident I have to say- all fair points! There are good people working to improve the culture and inclusivity of our state and I do my best to support them. 👍
You know I don't think Iowa, at least Northeast Iowa where I lived, really has a diversity problem. I think the culture issue is more the product of an Iowan cultural mindset that basically hates creativity and whim. And by hate, yes, I do mean desiring to engage in violence.
Also, be careful of the word "inclusivity," it's EXTREMELY abused.
I'm from Des Moines Ia, born n raised I currently live n San Diego Ca which I absolutely love. It's a great place 2 grow up i do miss the different seasons especially the fall time but I don't miss the brutal winters. San Diego is home now but Iowa will always have s special place n my 💙.
I absolutely loved this video and appreciated your painfully honest perspective and insight on living in Marion. So, I lived in Ames in 2015. I did not encounter some of the things you did (the odors, the farm equipment and I did not have a summer there to compare); however, I did encounter the harsh winter (I expected it) though it did not last more than a few months, the lack of diversity, the bland food. I am originally from NYC and lived in NY/NJ for a long time; then I lived in Miami for an even longer time (let me talk to you about weather, traffic, and a LOT of crime and the worst bugs in the universe - plus it is so humid that when you take a shower and go outdoors you immediately need a shower and then get attacked by darn gnats everywhere and mosquitos that could kill you and the biggest palmetto bugs/roaches that fly too), Champaign IL (harsh winter - yes, harsh summer - yes!!!) but it was a really nice place to live (even for a city girl!), I lived in Knoxville, TN, and now the absolute worst place on the planet at the moment - Greenville, NC (weather, bugs, traffic, poverty, backward thinking, poor health care). This place is a cesspool. But anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed your video and I hope things get better!
Your comment is very helpful. I am a New Yorker, and I live in Jersey now and was thinking of moving again. I lived in a couple of states out west and I lived in Virginia for a bit. I was thinking about Iowa, but I don't know. I have passed through there but I don't know if I could live in iowa.
@@Qunyc1985 I can live (and do) in the midwest, but Champaign or somewhere in IL is easier for me than was Ames. I liked it, but I don't think it would have worked out long term; probably not for you either. I didn't love Indianapolis, IN either for different reasons. Took way too long to get anywhere. No matter where you lived (unless the expensive downtown), it is 30 minutes to a lot more to get ANYWHERE. Too stressful, crappy roads, crappy traffic, rude people. At least mostly people were kind in IA, but I would say IL anyday before IA for diversity's sake. Another great place, if you don't mind the south, is Knoxville, TN. I am NOT a fan of the south, but it is a nice place of all of them. NC was horrible for me, as was FL. I guess it depends on your lifestyle, what you're looking for! I have lived in 11 or 12 states, so I am a wanderer. 🙂
@@jbjacobs9514 I am in Elizabeth NJ, the Elmora section. I am spoiled. It's incredibly convenient. I was just thinking about not paying the property taxes. I am just going to focus on making more money after the research I have been doing. This whole area is being rebuilt as well. Thank you again.
@@Qunyc1985 Go for it! You have to do what is best for you. I watched a video the other day of someone driving through Elizabeth. I remember it from the 70s. Very different now! Property taxes are a killer, I know. Do the best you can! :-) Just please take care, be happy, healthy, and safe, and good luck with whatever you do. If you don't mind, please let me know if you ever do end up moving. I would love to know how your life goes. Happy Easter and Happy Passover!
@@jbjacobs9514 thank you. You are a good human being and based on the time periods you are mentioning. I know you are from well within the 20th century. I was born in the 1980s. I'll definitely reach out.
I am visiting Ankeny now. It’s very clean. The city looks like it’s growing.
Ankeny is pretty nice clean and surprisingly diverse. We have family who live there.
I’m from Des Moines and definitely agree with most of this 😂.
What do you love about living in Des Moines, and what’s your least favorite thing there.
Fé Fé I love the fair, where I live there’s a little more diversity than every where else in Iowa, and how nice most people are. My least favorite is feeling like you’re always the minority & always having to travel to a different town if you want “nice” restaurant & malls.
Fé My channel has a more city view of things and less of the stereotypical Iowa version lol.So far anyway- plus I’ve been doing more things inside lately.
Vivacious_V That is so true, one have to travel for a shopping. You can never find exactly what you want in one place. Moms and pops shops are almost extinct and retail stores are dying out. There can’t quite compete with Amazon online retail and convenience. No too long ago I discovered consignment stores, and food co-ops they change my life lol, forced me to buy locally.
Fé That is awesome! Yeah, I’m a plus size woman so it is hard for me to find anything nice 😂
I live in Marion to where do you work at?
I too live in Marion, but my job is near Edgewood Road. I am an interpreter.
Fé Bean hi! I’m also from Haiti but I’m living in FL right now I hear a lots of good things and bad things about That place as well .im thinking about moving up there to save up some money as we all know florida is a very expensive place to live . Your thoughts place .
We don't have the best weather but we don't have the problems that big cities have. It is a great place to live though
That sums it up, nicely.
Just moved to Manson IA from Florida and I'm in love
I live in cedar rapids and it doesn't smell.
Yes the fuck it does especially in the summer. Your a damn lie everytime I visit my uncle it smells like shit.
@@msd7514 lol
@@bus1inyagirlsbut I'm serious that shit smells bad durning the summer time.
@@msd7514 yes that smell can be overwhelming at times but once you get used to the smell for that day then it ain't so bad here
@@bus1inyagirlsbut hell yeah
I lived there for 11 years and the happiest day of my life was when we crossed state line out of Iowa.
Then we're glad you left.
I work at St Joseph Catholic church in Marion IA. Come on over to join us. I moved here three years ago to take this job and I was surprised how bad the bugs were also! God bless you.
I have a few friends whom have kid who go to St Jo. I used to visit often before the pandemic. One day I’ll visit again.
@@Fe-Bean awesome! I hope we get to meet. God bless you
I was born and raised in Davenport so I didn't experience the smells unless we went out to visit relatives. I'm in Chicagoland now and when I go back the worst thing is the water. It just tastes off. Maybe I'm too used to filtered water. You're right about the food too. We considered Taco John's and Olive Garden to be "ethnic". Moving to Chicagoland and having mangos for the first time felt like mana from the gods.
I grew up in Iowa, but left in 2004. Some of the things you dislike are the things I disliked. Slow farm equipment on the roads. Cedar Rapids being the "City of 5 Smells." I remember friends coming to my house and making comments that my family must not like the taste of meat because we use seasonings. I remember how most Hawkeye fans didn't actually go to the college, but most Cyclone fans did go to Iowa State. Also around the time I left there was a lot of open racism towards Mexicans. Anytime there was some gun-related crime in Cedar Rapids you had people blaming Chicago.
I am starting to appreciate Oregon... that said I haven’t watched the video yet
The weather sounds similar to Oregon... more humid there sounds like...
I never been to Oregon. But I am sure you guys have better winters that Iowa.
I wouldn't say that. Iowa has much more extreme seasons, although Oregon, like most of the West, can have huge variations in temperature from day to night. Nowhere in Oregon has the kind of thunderstorms you get in Iowa, or the high winds. Oregons really got three major weather zones, Eastern, Littoral & the Willamette Valley south of Sherwood, of the three I would say Eastern Oregon is the most similar to Iowa but has a less intense summer, vastly less precipitation, and yes, much less humidity. The Littoral (which includes Portland, all tidal areas of the Columbia and the coast) is similar to Seattle and the Willamette Valley is nearly identical in weather to Provence, which is why its a major wine-growing region.
It would not let me post the video but look for them cause there are so many cool places to go and see and do in Iowa.
I moved from South Georgia to Perry Iowa(30 mins from Des Moines). I am half Filipino and my kids are half black. I was worried about diversity at first but there are plenty of African ( Eritrean), Indian, Latin Immigrants here. I was pretty surprised. It's just depends on where you live. When I visited family in West Central Iowa... it was all white lol.
Indeed.
I'm sorry there are so many white people in IOWA, please forgive us, 😕
You can get many different kinds of foods. And cooking for yourself helps too. Iowa is not a bad place to live, I have lived here my whole life.
Beth Ipsen I am a terrible cook. ☺️
At the time you published this video I would have lived in Iowa over 60 years minus a year in Minnesota and a handful of years in California. Everything you say is TRUE and I think this is a hilarious video. It is also well produced, except for your misspelling of NIGHTMARE. Also, some of you photos were visually stunning which counter-argued the voice over of things you DISLIKE. Well... Somebody clearly put some time and thought into this video. Looking forward to future videos from you. Think about publishing on Vimeo and Internet Archive...
I've been here for about oh, 20 years now. I'd say the only thing I don't like is airline transportation to other places. The fares are so cheep out of Chicago but it's really hit or miss for Iowa.
There was also the technology issues but that the state seems to be catching up.
That is so true. I am trying to go to the caymans. The fares right now is 2500. From Chicago to the cayman is 800. It’s ridiculous.
Iowa is not a country it's a state. Are u kidding me
We moved from Atlanta to Davenport, IA about 4 years ago. Iowa is like another planet compared to Georgia. It is truly a horrible place to live and other than our church family, there really isn’t a single thing we like about Iowa. The people are generally under-skilled, arrogant, selfish, and rude. Just about everyone smokes cigarettes and has arms full of tattoos. Labor unions run rampant and unchecked in factories causing innovation to be totally stifled. We are a bi-racial family (Asian/white) and I can tell you there are more racists here than I ever encountered living in the Deep South. But, this is where I work so I can either choose to be miserable or just embrace the suck. Great video and misery loves company!!!
Davenport is a little ass backward, I have heard. The smaller town folks tend to be more ignorant, when it come to mixed race couples.
Where I live is a bit better. It’s not California or Atlanta, or anything, but it is durable. People tend to see more mixed race couples because Ageon, Quaker oats, Rockwell Collins brought a bit of diversity to where I live.
How long have you lived in DV?
Mediacom is the only internet provider in Iowa or only in Marion?
ImOn , mediacon, and Centurylink. Mediacom has a bigger reach, and offer faster internet. ImOn is only in Cedar Rapids, Centurylink is too spotty to even consider.
At Least Cedar Rapids and Marion should offer Fiber Optic Internet services, because some rural areas in Iowa offer Faster and More Reliable Internet service the Greediacom!!
Maybe you should move. You don’t have to stay in iowa. I bet its better than where you came from or you wouldn’t be in iowa
I live in Marion Iowa. I was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I never smell farms at all unless I am driving in the country....But....when you do sell it, ugh!
Same stuff in indiana heat is horrible and it rarely snows where i live
Is Fe short for Karen?
I have been here for 54 years now and I agree with you 1,000%!!!!!
You describe it pretty well. I would add that we have alot of cultural diversity people-wise but there is not enough recognition and exposure to everyones culture. Not racist just not enough celebrating (festivals, holidays, etc.) And little public transportation that would be of help getting to/from work. Having a car is pretty important. The last crime: sad but true a lot of crimefor smaller communities. I have lived here over 50 years and it is not as wholesome for raising kids as it used to be.
It’s a mixed bag but for the most part not much to do around here and a lack of things I did when I lived else where.
First, I love your accent! Second you are absolutely right about your description of Iowa. Stinky super farms you can smell for miles! Too hot and humid in summer (I'm from NY, so I know), and too cold in winter! I know a lot of people from here will disagree with us, and I'm glad they like it here. This place is not for me! The first person with $80k can buy my house and I will be gone!😁
Everyone talks to everyone everwhere. Especially if they don't know you.