So, I've lived in Des Moines for a Week...

[AuH2O]

That's always been a tough area too, and it's nice that Cool Basil is doing well.

Used to live a few blocks from there, and there were a few attempts at making a nice restaurant take off but it never happened. Glad to see that is working out - I've heard good things

Wife and I used to just go to Flying Mango when it was a night out. Need to hit it up again soon. Catfish and Smoked Andouille are manna from heaven.

 

[CysRage]

There's a Chef's Kitchen if Fort Dodge.

Also closed.

 

[dosry5]

My wife and I have our 5 year anniversary coming up next weekend. Any recommendations for dinner in the Des Moines metro? Our family is on a tighter budget so I don't want to go anywhere too expensive but don't want a chain restaurant either. Any recommendations?

If you come to my house I’ll throw some burgers on the grill. But you have to agree to pick up dog poop in the yard. No such thing as a free lunch.

 

[jcyclonee]

If it's downtown it's migrating birds flying into the tall buildings at night. When I worked downtown St. Paul the sidewalks were littered with little dead warblers and other small birds in April and May.

Weird. I don't see dead birds in Minneapolis. Not even near the stadium that's supposed to be a death trap for birds.

 

[AuH2O]

Also closed.

Ft. Dodge Chef's Kitchen closed? On the bright side there's a Wendy's across from the Purina plant.

 

[mdk2isu]

Ft. Dodge Chef's Kitchen closed? On the bright side there's a Wendy's across from the Purina plant.

The only restaurant in FD that matters is Taco Tico.

 

[VeloClone]

Weird. I don't see dead birds in Minneapolis. Not even near the stadium that's supposed to be a death trap for birds.

Yeah, they fixed that by electrifying the whole thing so now it acts as a giant bug zapper - vaporizing anything that flies into it.

 

[harimad]

Regardless... the time is soon coming to finally GTFO of Illinois.

If I want the urban Des Moines experience, what areas/neighborhoods should I be looking at?

 

[JHUNSY]

The time is soon coming to finally GTFO of Illinois.

If I want the urban Des Moines experience, what areas/neighborhoods should I be looking at?

Define urban experience (It's DSM so keep that in mind).

Looking to rent or buy? Other points of interest to note?

 

[harimad]

Fall makes up for winter. The only times I really hate the weather are extended rains, extended subzero cold, and snow after mid March. Fall is amazing though.

This could not be truer. Fall is by far my favorite time of year, and I think it's because of growing up in Iowa that I feel this way.

 

[Cyclone06]

Update below for accuracy. Also Simons is a very solid and welcoming spot. Small so it gets crowed but they know how to make you happy.

My suggestion is to try out the best hidden gem places to eat on a night you go to the Funny Bone after. Makes for a good night out, Id recommend the following before hand.
Sakari (they have a lot more than amazing sushi)
Simons (Beaverdale area)
Chef's Kitchen (Beaverdale Area) - CLOSED

 

[BoxsterCy]

Yeah, they fixed that by electrifying the whole thing so now it acts as a giant bug zapper - vaporizing anything that flies into it.

More likely the Vikings have some dudes walk the perimeter early in the morning and pick up the birds. A pile of dead warblers on the sidewalk is bad PR considering the public discussion/debate over it.

 

[VeloClone]

More likely the Vikings have some dudes walk the perimeter early in the morning and pick up the birds. A pile of dead warblers on the sidewalk is bad PR considering the public discussion/debate over it.

It was a joke. The electrician bill to wire that thing would make such an undertaking prohibitive.

 

[jbindm]

Regardless... the time is soon coming to finally GTFO of Illinois.

If I want the urban Des Moines experience, what areas/neighborhoods should I be looking at?

Depends on what you want - rent, buy, condo, house, upkeep/maintenance, places,activities you want immediate access to, school districts if you have kids, etc.

 

[dosry5]

It was a joke. The electrician bill to wire that thing would make such an undertaking prohibitive.

The electrician bill to wire anything makes it prohibitive

 

[jbindm]

More likely the Vikings have some dudes walk the perimeter early in the morning and pick up the birds. A pile of dead warblers on the sidewalk is bad PR considering the public discussion/debate over it.

I hear that's one of the requirements written into Kirk Cousins' contract. So if you want a picture or an autograph just head on over to the stadium around 4:30 every morning and look for the guy with an orange vest, a headlamp, and a garbage bag full of dead birds wandering around the building exterior.

 

[cyclonpediaJoe]

Regardless... the time is soon coming to finally GTFO of Illinois.

If I want the urban Des Moines experience, what areas/neighborhoods should I be looking at?

West Des Moines is the best for everything. Location, price point for money, restaurants, bars, trails, people. We just moved from Valley Junction to the Easter Lake area. We got more for our money, but REALLY miss the people.

 

[harimad]

Define urban experience (It's DSM so keep that in mind).

Looking to rent or buy? Other points of interest to note?

Urban experience, in that I've been told that Des Moines has made downtown living much more palatable lately, with entertainment and grocery options. I've lived in suburbs my whole life. While I'd love to move to Chicago in a couple of years, because I adore that city... I just don't have a lot of hope for the future of Illinois. If I can get an urban experience near ISU/Ames, I'm all for it.

 

[jcyclonee]

Regardless... the time is soon coming to finally GTFO of Illinois.

If I want the urban Des Moines experience, what areas/neighborhoods should I be looking at?

My sister wants to do the same thing. She already bought a house in Des Moines to move into when her business is sold.

 

[BCClone]

Urban experience, in that I've been told that Des Moines has made downtown living much more palatable lately, with entertainment and grocery options. I've lived in suburbs my whole life. While I'd love to move to Chicago in a couple of years, because I adore that city... I just don't have a lot of hope for the future of Illinois. If I can get an urban experience near ISU/Ames, I'm all for it.

Sheldahl would be good for you.