With all of the great awards and recognition Des Moines has been receiving lately (see below), I’m still nervous. I’m nervous about our “Brain Drain” issue. I’m nervous because it’s imperative to the future of Iowa that we get our wonderful educations (ranked highly!) here and then stay here to use them.
I know how our winters are freezing and how our summers can be unbearably hot and humid at times, but Iowa is actually really great. We have amazing local business owners who provide affordable products and services and wonderful organizations that organize events as big as the Art Festival and the Italian Heritage festival.
I realize bigger cities may offer more to do and/or a more diverse environment to do those things in, but if we keep leaving Iowa, the issue will never get addressed.
We’re more than capable young professionals and we need to stick around to make sure Iowa’s cities grow, and not just in size/population. We need cultural growth. We need economic growth. We need entertainment-based growth.
In Iowa, our cost of living is amazing! While it may not always feel like it, our residents actually have more disposable income than those in many other states. So let’s get out there and spend it on our local businesses in order to stimulate this necessary growth!
The more we get out and enjoy our communities, the more others from out of the state or the country will want to as well.
I don’t mean to be on such a soap box, but this is absolutely something I’m passionate about. I think if you are too, or even if you’re just a little interested, then reach out. New View has three committees waiting for you to join. It’s a great way to get involved in your community and promote it! It can be the stepping stone to achieving the cultural, economic and entertainment-based growth Iowa needs so badly. Iowa is kind of a big deal and more people should know it!
“Cities with the Highest Real Incomes”
Ranked # 1 - US News and World Report, June 2011
“Strongest Metropolitan Areas for Economic Strength”
Ranked # 6 - Des Moines-West Des Moines - POLICOM , May 2011
“Best Cities for Small Business in the Midwest”
Ranked # 2 - The Business Journals, April 2011
“One of the Coolest Places to Live in America”
Ranked # 18 - Men’s Journal, March 2011
“Top US Fairs and Festivals” Des Moines Art Festival
Ranked # 7 - American Style Magazine, February 2011
“Best Cities for the Next Decade”
Ranked # 7 - Kiplinger’s,May 2010
“Best Place for Business and Careers”
Ranked # 1 - Forbes, April 2010
“Best Mid-Sized Cities for Jobs”
Ranked in Top Ten - Des Moines/ West Des Moines - Forbes, April 2010
“Most Secure City in the US with population 500,000 or More”
Ranked # 2 - Farmers Insurance, February 2011
“Most Social Networked Community in the US”
Ranked in top 50% - Men’s Health Magazine, March 2011
“Healthiest and Safest Metro in the Nation”
Ranked #3 - Des Moines/West Des Moines - Denver Business Journal, 2010
”Most Livable Bargain Market”
Ranked # 1 for Real Estate - MSN.com
“Where Americans are Getting Richer”
Ranked # 5 - Forbes, November 2010
“America’s Top 10 Cities to Move To”
Ranked # 6 - Des Moines/West Des Moines - BestPlaces.net, October 2010
“Where to Live & Play Now” Top Place to Go Green”
Ranked # 1 - National Geographic
“Best Places to Launch a Small Business”
Ranked in the Top Ten - CNNMoney.com
“Happiest State in the U.S.”
Ranked # 2 - MainStreet.com 2010
“Top Places to Find Your Starter Home”
Ranked in Top Ten - Yahoo!, September 2010
“ Hot spots for Young Professionals to Live and Work in the U.S.”
Ranks # 12 - Next Generation Consulting, 2009/2010
“Ten Most Peaceful States in the U.S.”
Let's not forget the most recent: Best Place If You're a YP from Forbes!
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