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YOUR GUIDE TO DES MOINES

The Des Moines metro is a great place to live and work. It is a place where you can find great jobs, fantastic schools, friendly communities, short commutes and affordable living. Forbes ranked Des Moines the #1 city in the nation for business and careers and also the #1 place to raise a family.

 

We have compiled a list of resources for both new residents and those thinking about relocating to the Des Moines Metro. Please visit the links to explore Des Moines and all it has to offer.

ATTRACTIONS

1.  John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park features artwork of the world's most celebrated artists. 4.4 acres in downtown's Western Gateway, displays 24 sculptures worth a combined $40 million.

 

2. Science Center of Iowa & Blank IMAX Dome Theater showcases hands-on exhibits, live interactive programs and demonstrations, engaging planetarium shows and larger-than-life IMAX films

 

3. Experience the Des Moines Art Center and its diverse museum and school

 

4. Bring your family to see more than 1,000 furry, finned and feathered friends at the Blank Park Zoo

 

5. Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino.  Throroughbred racing and casino in Altoona, IA

 

6. Iowa Speedway.  State-of-the-art 7/8 mile asphalt paved tri-oval race track and motorsports facility designed by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace

 

7. Principal Riverwalk features lighted, landscaped public spaces, world-class public art and unique pedestrian bridges and pathways connecting 300 miles of Central Iowa trails.

 

8. The Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world

 

9. Downtown Farmer's Market connects urban and rural communities while supporting 300 local entrepreneurs including farmers, producers, bakers, artists and more, representing 58 counties across the state of Iowa.

 

10. Des Moines Civic Center.  Des Moines Performing Arts is central Iowa’s premier not-for-profit performing arts organization.

11. Adventureland.  Amusement and Water Park in Altoona, IA.

EDUCATION

  • AIB College of Business

  • Central College 

  • Des Moines Area Community College

  • Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center

  • Drake University

  • Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

  • Graceland University 

  • Grand View University

  • Grinnell College 

  • Iowa State University

  • ITT Technical Institute 

  • Kaplan University-Des Moines Campus

  • Mercy College of Health Sciences

  • Simpson College

  • University of Phoenix-Des Moines Campus

  • Upper Iowa University

  • University of Iowa

  • University of Northern Iowa

  • Vatterott College 

  • William Penn College for Working Adults

Iowa is well known for its quality education system. The state has the highest graduation rate in the country at 88 percent, and student scores on ACT and SAT college-entrance exams are always among the nation’s best.  Quality education doesn't stop at K-12.  Iowa and the Des Moines area are home to many great higher eduction pograms.

In the Greater Des Moines region, 40 percent of people 25 years and up hold an Associate's degree or higher. 

Floor Plans For a New Home

RANKINGS

#4 Best Place to Raise Kids, SmartAsset, 2021

Top 10 City to Live in After the Pandemic – Today, 2021

#2 Safest Place to Live – U.S. News & World Report, 2021

#8 Top City Whose Unemployment Rate is Dropping – WalletHub, 2021

#11 Most Affordable City to Buy a Home – Forbes Advisor, 2021

#1 Best Place to Live in the Midwest for High Salaries and Low Cost of Living – The Ascent, 2021

#7 Best Place to Live in the U.S. – U.S. News & World Report, 2021

#8 Best City to Live in After the Pandemic – Business Insider, 2020

#5 Metro for Number of Economic Development Projects among metros with a population of 200,000 to 1 million – Site Selection Magazine, 2020

#3 Top Midwestern U.S. City for Women in STEM Occupations – CommercialCafe™, 2020

#6 Best American Cities to Work in Tech,Yahoo Finance 2019

#5 Best Place to Live in the U.S.-USNews.com, 2019

#3 Best Affordable Place to Live in the U.S.-USNews.com, 2019

Top 7 Most Recession Proof Cities in the U.S.-Livability.com, 2019

One of 11 Cities that Will Inspire Your Staycation-Expedia, 2019

Named one of the Friendliest Cities in the U.S.-Conde Nast, 2018

One of the 12 Surprisingly Great Places to Retire in the Midwest-Kiplinger.com, 2018

Downtown Des Moines' Farmers' Market Named in Top 25-Parade.com, 2018

One of the Best Cities to Start a Business-Cubesmart.com, 2018

One of the Happiest Cities in America-WalletHub, 2018

Des Moines one of the 5 Up and Coming Tech Hotspots-Livability.com, 2018

Des Moines one of the Most Artistic Towns in America-Expedia.com, 2018

One of 17 Family Friendly Places to Visit-ChicagoParent.com, 2018

#7 Best Place for Business and Careers-Forbes, 2018

1 of 15 Under the Radar Cities You Need to Visit-Expedia, 2017

#1 Minor League Sports Market in Nation-SportsBusinessDaily.com, 2017

Des Moines Named IFEA World Festival and Event City-IFEA.com, 2017

Thrillist names Des Moines Best Food City in Iowa-Thrillist, 2017

Des Moines as one of the Best Mid Sized Cities to Visit in 2017-RewardExpert.com, 2017

Des Moines Art Festival Named one of the Top Art Fairs in America-ArtsyShark.com, 2017

Best New Beer Cities to Visit in 2017, VinePair.com, 2017

Top Underappreciated American Cities You Should Totally Move To, Thrillist, 2017

Top Ten Places to Live in the U.S.-Successfulmeetings.com, 2017

#7 Hippest Mid-Sized City in America — Gogobot, 2016
#1 Best City for the Middle Class — Business Insider, 2016
#11 Best Place to Live in the U.S. — U.S. News & World Report, 2016
#4 Best Mid-Sized City to Make a Living — MoneyGeek, 2016
Top 10 Best City to Live and Work — Robert Half’s Career City Index, 2016
#4 “10 Most Pro-Business Cities in America” – MarketWatch, 2015
#4 “Best Tech Cities to Start A Career” – ComputerTrainingSchools.com, 2015
#2 “Top 10 U.S. Cities to Land Work” – NBC News, 2015
#5 “America’s 10 Best Cities for Retirement” – Bankrate, 2015
#6 “Midsize Metro where College Grads Move for Jobs” – AIER, 2015
#1 Metro with the Most Community Pride – Gallup, 2015
#3 Top City for New College Grads – SmartAsset, 2015
Emerging Startup Cities of 2015 – Investopedia, 2015
#2 Best City for Jobs in 2015 – Forbes, 2015
#4 Best Run State – USA Today, 2014
#1 Best Up-and-Coming City for Foodies – Women’s Health Magazine, 2014
#1 Best City for Young Professionals – Forbes, 2014
#3 Top Ten Places with the Most Job Opportunities per Capita – Beyond.com, 2014 (Based on Q2 of 2014)
#2 Best Farmers’ Market in America – The Daily Meal, 2014
#2 Best City for Business and Careers – Forbes, 2014
#1 City with an Up-and-Coming Downtown – Fortune, 2014
#4 America’s Most LGBT-Friendly Cities – Huffington Post, 2014
#1 Metro for Economic Strength – Policom Corporation, 2014
#2 America’s Top 5 Under-the-Radar Tech Hubs – SpareFoot, 2014
Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market recognized as “Top 10 Farmers’ Markets in the U.S” – Shape Magazine, 2014
#6 Best Cities for Raising a Family – Forbes, 2014
#5 Best Cities for Jobs – Zip Recruiter, 2014
#6 Top Mid-Size Cities of 2014 – Energy Star, 2014
#4 Top Ten Places with the Most Job Opportunities per Capita – Beyond.com, 2014 (Based on Q4 of 2013)
#1 Wealthiest City in America – TODAY show, 2014
#1 Best Medium-Sized Metro Area for Homeownership – Nerdwallet, 2014
#5 “Best US States for Young Adults” – MoneyRates, 2013
#15 America’s Most Productive Metros – The Atlantic Cities, 2013
“Three Best Cities to Start a Business” – Forbes, 2013
#12 “Best States for Business” – Forbes, 2013
#1 “Best Places for Business and Careers” – Forbes, 2013
#2 “Strongest Local Economy” – Policom, 2013
#3 “Top 15 U.S. Cities’ Emerging Downtowns” – Forbes, 2013
#1 “Best Midwest Cities for Young Adults” – The Business Journals, 2013
#2 “Best Cities to Start a Business” – The Street, 2013
#6 “Cities Where Startups Are Thriving” – CNN Money, 2012
#6 “Best Cities to Grow Old In” – MSN Money, 2012
#1 “Best Cities for Families” – Kiplinger, 2012
#4 “Best Places for Business and Careers” – Forbes, 2012
#2 ” Best Cities for Jobs this Summer.” – Forbes, 2012
#10 “Most Educated Young Workforce.” – The Business Journals, 2012
#2 for “Best Cities for Jobs.” – Forbes, 2012
Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market recognized as “One of America’s Best.” – Country Living, 2012
#1 “Best Cities for Young Professionals” – Forbes, 2011
#1 “Richest Metro in the Nation” – US News & World Report, 2011
#1 “Cities in the US for Home Renters” – Time, 2011
#9 “Best State for Business” – CNBC, 2011
#3 “Best Cities for Business” – MarketWatch, 2011
#7 “Best Cities for the Next Decade” – Kiplinger, 2010

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