Before you moved to Des Moines, what was your perception of the city?
We asked Business Record readers this question to help tell this story about showcasing Des Moines. More than 60 Des Moines transplants responded. Some moved here from as close as Sioux City, others from coast cities like New York City and Los Angeles. 

While some had no idea Des Moines existed (we’re looking at you, New York City), others had very similar perceptions, regardless of geography. 

Des Moines was small, rural, and country. There was no shopping or culture — or anything to do, really. Iowa was an agriculture state, and Des Moines was an insurance town. Cold and isolated. No diversity. 

Sounds pretty bleak. Who wants to live there?

Apparently, many of the respondents.

However, respondents were quick to counter their initial perceptions with what they now know — something we did not ask them to do. They gave us what we requested, but were diligent in pointing out that Des Moines offers much more than they originally thought. 

Iowans are generous, hardworking, loyal and kind. Iowa is definitely an ag state, but it’s something to be proud of. Des Moines is “cool” and diverse. It has unique shops and restaurants, fun events, great nightlife and plenty of outdoor amenities.

Not all were swayed from their original perceptions, but for most who replied said: Des Moines is now home.

A sampling of our Readers’ responses:

“When I moved to Des Moines, I truly believed I was moving to a strip mall on a prairie. I did not believe there would be any shopping, any culture, and nothing to do.  Happily, I was proven wrong.”
— Grace Van Cleave, senior director, Stella & Dot, moved here from Washington, D.C., and originally from Lookout Mountain, Tenn.

“(My perception was Des Moines was) surprisingly urban. It was 2007, and I’d accepted an internship at The Des Moines Register without having visited the city. Randomly, an issue of the old CORE magazine was on a side table in the Mizzou journalism school basement, and the architecture photography had me delighted and looking forward to a city that was decidedly more cosmopolitan than the cornfields I imagined. I carried that magazine everywhere with me for months, so I could show anyone who looked down at my decision to move to Iowa.”
— Brianne Sanchez, Des Moines University, moved here from Chicago and Columbia, Mo.

“Seventeen years ago, my husband took a job transfer to Des Moines.  We had lived several places in the United States in some pretty fantastic cities.  My first reaction was dismay and the second was, ‘What will our friends say?’  I thought there would be little shopping and dining, no professional sports, flat and uninteresting landscape, and basically, nothing to do.  Although housing was cheaper than large cities, it didn’t have the big yard and inexpensive housing I expected. 

… I fell in love with the rush hour ‘minute,’ Wednesday nights (no school activities are scheduled), lots of new restaurants, trails for biking and hiking, fun events, and close enough for a weekend drive to Kansas City, Chicago, Minneapolis and Omaha.  My husband has passed away and I could have moved anywhere, but I chose to stay here. I tell everyone it is the best-kept secret.”
— Linda, lived in cities including Chicago, Dallas, Cleveland, San Antonio and New Orleans

The first time I came to Des Moines was to visit a friend. I had no plans to move and didn’t expect much at all — a little town in the middle of nowhere that I kept mispronouncing ‘Idowa.’ My Los Angeles friends teased that I’d get lost in the corn and cows. 

But I quickly fell in love with this city because of the short commute, beautiful neighborhoods, VERY friendly people and great outdoor spaces and decided to move here four months later. And that was before Des Moines became downright cool!”
— Sara Hendersonn, president, BOGO Bowl, moved here from Los Angeles

I was born and raised in Minneapolis proper, went to inner-city public schools, own a cabin ‘Up North’ and love everything about the culture, entertainment, sports and activities the Land of 10,000 Lakes had to offer! 

So, when my wife was offered her dream job here in Des Moines in 2013, I had my reservations in moving. I mean, what does Des Moines have that Minneapolis doesn’t? Corn? A cow made of butter? At first glance, I thought it was a nice town; however, it seemed limited in its diversity, had a generic landscape, lacked unique eating establishments, and needed some real ‘wow factor.’ I wasn’t completely sold. 

That was me two years ago. Now, I’m a proud ‘Southie’ homeowner with my own urban wooded lot minutes from downtown, enjoying Water Works Park and its extensive biking trails, sipping microbrews at Orlando’s, Exile and Confluence Breweries, kayaking on Gray’s Lake to the backdrop of a downtown skyline, engaged in dynamic networking and fundraising events … and, well … you get the idea. … I’m beginning to warm up nicely to Des Moines.”
— Jeremiah Boeckermann, private banker, US Bank, moved here from Minneapolis

“Candidly, I perceived Iowa and Des Moines the same way it is often portrayed in the mainstream media — lots of cornfields, hog lots, open spaces and small towns.  For Des Moines specifically, I had images of a depressed Midwestern town with little culture and amenities. 

I have lived here for nine years and am pleasantly surprised by all Iowa and Des Moines has to offer — great culture, vibrant nightlife, great restaurants, lots of outdoor amenities and great welcoming people!”
— Jon Kallen, partner and general counsel, Energy Independence Partners LLC, lived previously in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina

“Until I met my Iowa-born wife, I had no real perception of either Des Moines or Iowa. It just wasn’t a part of the country I thought about much. Maybe because I am from Colorado, arguably one of the top five states. I assumed Iowa was much like Kansas or Oklahoma (where much of my family is from) — flat and dry with many very small towns and no metro areas to speak of. I honestly had no idea what Des Moines was like. 
— Scott McIntyre, vice president of communications, Iowa Hospital Association, moved here from Colorado

“My perception was Des Moines was a micro-city with one cab, two buses and three good restaurants.

Boy, was I wrong. Des Moines is a humble gem that only appreciates in value over time. It is the ultimate scalable city that offers everything you need and an annual calendar of diverse events to keep you engaged. It’s the home of the 15-minute commute, best-in-class bike trails and community connectivity — you can make a real difference here and not get lost in the shuffle. I absolutely love this place and recommend it to anyone. You want a taste of big city, jump in the car for a weekend, but if you want to live the high life, come to Des Moines.”
— Mike Gerrish, vice president of marketing, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, previously lived in Chicago and Kansas City.

“There is (no perception). As much as I enjoy living here, no one outside Des Moines is talking about Des Moines, which may be a hard pill to swallow for local residents and a problem no one seems to want to admit. Most can’t spot it on a map, let alone Iowa as a state (I get a lot of serious ‘How are the potatoes?’ or ‘Go Buckeyes’ from out-of-state friends). I see people and local media outlets posting the best-of lists that Des Moines makes it on, but does that actually translate to out-of-staters moving here or knowing about the city? Doubtful.  It seems more of a way for locals to pat themselves on the back and say, ‘See? Progress!’ while in reality I doubt anyone outside the city cares.”
— Jason, creative director, previously lived in New York City

“When I was a little kid, my parents said, ‘We’re moving to Iowa.’ I had no idea what they were talking about.  I thought everyone drove across the border, farmed during the day, then drove back across the border at night.  After college, I moved to Illinois and then a few years ago, had the chance to move back to Iowa, specifically to West Des Moines — and the perception the second time around was completely different. The Des Moines metro area was the ‘place to be’ — great jobs, up and coming downtown area, great place to raise a family.”
— Brian Abeling, director of technology, West Des Moines Community Schools, previously lived in upstate New York and Peoria, Ill.

“I didn’t have a perception of Des Moines, positive or negative. The city never crossed my world view unless it was the caucuses, and even then it was limited. This was and is a major problem; outside of Iowa no one thinks one way or another about us. That can only change by offering something unique to the world, and we don’t do that enough.”
— Zachary Mannheimer, executive director, Des Moines Social Club, moved here from New York City

“We’re originally from California and also lived for several years in New Jersey, so we’ve experienced both coasts, big cities and small cities, and even rural areas. We had no clue about Iowa or Des Moines — only that it’s used a LOT in movies to (symbolize) the middle of nowhere or small-town America. We were also told there were ‘more cows, corn, and pigs than people’ here. Iowa was not at the top of my list of states to visit, let alone relocate to (okay, so it wasn’t on the list at all …).

Is this where I apologize?”
— Stephanie Cardwell, administrative assistant, Drake University, previously lived in California and New Jersey

“Prior to visiting Iowa for work, which led to my eventual relocation, I had the impression shared by many of my Atlanta, Ga., friends that Iowa was an ‘in the middle of nowhere corn state’ that presidential candidates visited every four years. 

It wasn’t until I started doing business here that all the great national news about Des Moines’ quality of life really started to resonate with me. I actually began ‘selling’ (for lack of a better word) my friends back in Atlanta about the unexpected merits of Des Moines. Shortly after that my family and I moved to Des Moines, and we haven’t looked back.”
— Dave Miglin, vice president of interactive services, Strategic America, moved here from Atlanta