10 Cities With the Highest and Lowest Real Incomes

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My fiancée and I took a chance and moved back to Des Moines after growing up in the Western Suburbs and leaving for college. We wanted an urban lifestyle and after doing the math and thinking about it, Downtown Des Moines became the clear choice. Downtown is becoming such an exciting place with the Western Gateway District’s Sculpture Park, the East Village's shops and the Court Avenue District's bars and restaurants. We're not the only young professionals returning or looking at Des Moines, either. It's an exciting time to be a part of such a wonderful city. We’ll be in DSM for many years to come.

Spencer of IA 4:08PM June 02, 2011

These totals are from 2009 data. As a Des Moines resident, I question a lot of this information.
Bring some current information, within a 1 year time span and then tell me the truth.

DM Metro Resident of IA 4:03PM June 02, 2011

It includes the metropolitan area.... Try reading closely next time.

C. of IA 3:38PM June 02, 2011

this study is talking about the full metro area, including suburbs, wdm is a burb

none of IA 3:30PM June 02, 2011

I moved to Des Moines more than 25 years ago, after living in 3 large cities, a medium and a small city. This is where we decided to raise a family and develop careers. I am surprised more and more large companies haven't thought about moving here!
1. Low cost of living
2. Very short commute times
3. Big city quality arts and cultural events
4. Top notch police and fire professionals
5. Low crime rate
6. Decent schools with close access to quality universities
7. Fiscally responsible local government
8. Many, many recreational options
9. People who would help you get up if you tripped and fell on the street!
Sure - January and February can deliver cruel weather, but the seasons change beautifully and the air actually smells "sweet" sometimes! (I've been reminded of this by relatives stepping out of the airport into the Iowa air.) No city is perfect, and the Des Moines metro has it's share of challenges, but I can't imagine living anywhere else.

Max of IA 3:24PM June 02, 2011

Maybe if you're talking about West Des Moines, which isn't actually Des Moines...

confused of IA 2:46PM June 02, 2011

I completely believe it. I have lived in Des Moines for the past six years, and am amazed at the growth and prosperity of this city. In comparison to the infrastructure of other similar cities I believe we are on par. Every city has a homeless problem, and Des Moines is no different. The cities handling of the problem (shutting down camps in the middle of winter) hasn't always been perfect, but on the whole our homeless problem in minuscule comparatively. With a downtown that is coming into its own, suburbs booming, and an overall clean, whole-some feel Des Moines is a most inviting city.

Joe of IA 1:30PM June 02, 2011

You have no idea what you are talking about.

drew of IA 1:28PM June 02, 2011

I've lived in Iowa my entire 40 years of life and have been in Des Moines since 1994. I've traveled extensively all over the United States and I've concluded that Des Moines is a great place to raise a family. There is something to be said for strong schools, low cost of living, 15 minutes commutes, the same retail and restaurants that every other suburban area has, and a short 3 - 4 hour drive to Chicago, Minneapolis, Omaha, Kansas City and St. Louis (5 - 6 hours) for the cultural attractions that we don't yet have in Des Moines. You can't beat home prices of $100 - $150 per sq ft WITHOUT a bubble burst.
Mike, you clearly don't get out much. To say Des Moines has a homeless "problem" and that our infrastructure is failling apart is ridiculous compared to other similar metro areas.

Jalan of IA 1:05PM June 02, 2011

Say what you want... Iowa seems to be more concerned about stopping gay marriage than addressing real issues. Our infrastructure is deteriorating, roads and bridges are falling apart and having to be closed for long periods of time which causes congestion throughout the rest of the city. Where's the mention of our serious homeless problem and that a person will get spanged at least 3 or 4 times a day downtown? The writer clearly hasn't visisted Des Moines recently.

Mike of IA 12:38PM June 02, 2011