In his Des Moines-focused article, Comedian Dante Powell claims, “Des Moines, Iowa is actually cool…. I swear.”

It’s been shared more than 1,000 times. You know why? It’s because he’s right. 

Whether you’re a retiree or a millennial, there’s a spot for you in Des Moines.

Des Moines is one of the best festival cities in the world, according to the International Festivals & Events Association.  I dare you to lend your ears to 80/35, your taste buds to anything deep-fried-on-a-stick at the Iowa State Fair or your eyes to Des Moines Arts Festival for a summer and tell us differently.

(Not to mention if Ed Sheeran says we’re cool, we’re cool).

Our nightlife, craft brewery and restaurant scenes bring the best of farm-to-table and entrepreneurship to light.

Where do you get all the money to experience these fun things? Well, it might come from how affordable it is to live in Des Moines.

Des Moines has been named #3 for Best Affordable Places to live in the U.S. in 2018. That’s something everyone can boast. From downtown apartments to for-sale townhomes, there are endless options for people of any age and stage in life. Apartments are catering more to residents’ needs with amenities such as dog parks, bike storage and full-service gyms. Rental or for-sale townhomes are also increasing in downtown Des Moines, especially along the Des Moines River in the East Village. 

Iowa’s the obvious next step if having a family is in your future. From steady jobs to affordable homes, Iowa has also been ranked among the top places to raise children.

On top of being a great place to live, Iowa’s capital also has a thriving work environment. Midwesterners are hard workers at heart, so prepare to compete and excel. Forbes named Des Moines a top contender for the best places for business and careers, trailing only Portland, Raleigh, Seattle, and Denver.

Unlike those cities, there’s a low chance you’ll be running late due to traffic. Des Moines has one of the least stressful commutes in the nation – averaging almost 10 minutes less road-time than other cities. However, if you live and work downtown, chances are you can walk, bike or take downtown Des Moines’ well-known skywalk system to your office.