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Make Your Move to Des Moines Smoother
Iowa’s capital, Des Moines, is the state’s most populous city and an important insurance industry center. Its area is also home to three main college campuses, the largest community school district in the state, and several big tech facilities for logistics and data processing.
Adding friendly communities and affordable living in the mix, no wonder Des Moines is an equally attractive relocation option for students, young professionals, and families with children. What else is there to discover about this city before moving here and which neighborhood would suit you best?
Des Moines Has a Pro-Business Environment
While insurance and financial services are a major component of the city’s economy, Des Moines lays forth opportunities for its residents in several sectors, such as advanced manufacturing, technology, and logistics. Ranked by Forbes in the Top 10 best places for business and careers, the city offers through its Office of Economic Development the following incentives for businesses:
- Financial assistance for urban renewal
- Tax credits for job and customized skill training
- Tax abatements for new construction and improvements to existing structures
- Tax credit for redeveloping abandoned, vacant, or underutilized sites
Another program aimed to help businesses and property owners is NCR (Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization) which provides financial assistance to those who renovate and upgrade existing buildings, be they commercial, office, or mixed-use ones.
Get To Know the Des Moines Area
Before moving to Des Moines, it is important to get a feel for its neighborhoods and suburbs to choose the one that best suits your lifestyle and needs. For instance, Downtown Des Moines is a walkable, densely populated area with many shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. If you enjoy living in the middle of all the action, you should definitely give it a go. Some other popular neighborhoods include:
Downtown Des Moines
This is the heart of Des Moines, and it is a vibrant area with lots of bars, restaurants, and entertainment options. It is also home to many large employers, including Principal Financial, Wells Fargo, and Nationwide Insurance.
Beaverdale
This is a historic neighborhood located in the northwest part of Des Moines. It is known for its charming brick homes, mature trees, and small-town feel. Beaverdale is also home to several popular restaurants and bars.
West Des Moines
This is a suburban area located just west of Des Moines. It is known for its good schools, shopping centers, and parks. West Des Moines is also home to several large employers, including Wells Fargo, Hy-Vee, and Athene.
East Village
This is a trendy area located just east of downtown Des Moines. It is known for its eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as its art galleries and performance spaces.
Sherman Hill (50314)
This is a historic neighborhood located just west of downtown Des Moines. It is known for its Victorian homes, tree-lined streets, and proximity to popular attractions like the Pappajohn Sculpture Park and the Des Moines Art Center.
If you prefer a more laid-back vibe, we suggest you give the suburbs of Des Moines a try. The most popular cities are to the west, with Clive, Waukee, Urbandale, Grimes, and West Des Moines among favorites. Another suburb you might fancy is Ankeny to the north of the city. All of these places benefit from short commutes and good connections to the capital, lots of restaurants, stores, and fun activities, plus they are safe and have great public schools.
Consider Renting Storage Units in Des Moines
Given the wide range of temperatures that you get to experience in Des Moines throughout the year, a good way to save money is to get a smaller home and rent climate-controlled storage units for seasonal items. Bulky winter clothes and blankets, sports equipment, collectibles, and memorabilia can all find a safe spot in rentals and you won’t have to worry about them getting damaged by humidity, heat, or freezing temperatures.
Consider your storage needs and choose one of the many units available on SpareFoot-most offer one free month and 24-hour access. You can also rent boat storage in Des Moines and enjoy summer escapes on the lakes in the greater Des Moines area, such as Saylorville Lake and Lake Red Rock. Besides these large bodies of water, you can also try fishing in the Blue Heron Lake in Raccoon River Park, or test Gray’s Lake Park with a canoe or kayak.