Le Mars living?

[Mr.G.Spot]

He went to a high end university and had 5’s on all of his AP classes but you simply don’t get credit for anything you don’t take there.

They had exams before they started to make sure they didn’t have to take remedial calculus lol. I had no clue proof calculus was a thing until I looked at his textbook.

AP classes or AP National Exam that is given on certain days in April? AP classes are graded by normal standards but credit is only given it u get a 5 on the AP exam in that subject. Harvard gives u credit only for a 5.

Sorry for the sideways chat from the OP.

 

[usedcarguy]

So if you've learned nothing else from this thread, it's that most seem to think that the grass is greener on the other side. LOL.

The beauty about small towns if you don't know anybody is that it doesn't take long to change that. (assuming you're not an introvert) Each has it's pros and cons, both careerwise, socially, and cost of livingwise.

 

[carvers4math]

AP classes or AP National Exam that is given on certain days in April? AP classes are graded by normal standards but credit is only given it u get a 5 on the AP exam in that subject. Harvard gives u credit only for a 5.

Sorry for the sideways chat from the OP.

The National Exam. Caltech was having none of that at least back when he started. His year was pretty mad they took quantum mechanics out of the required classes for any degree several years after they started lol

 

[Mr.G.Spot]

The National Exam. Caltech was having none of that at least back when he started. His year was pretty mad they took quantum mechanics out of the required classes for any degree several years after they started lol

Good for Caltech. Getting a 5 on the national AP exam is still outstanding. I can see Caltech going against the trend.

It is really disappointing to me that so many kids coming from average high schools and getting their first year of college completed at many state universities. Most of them should still take freshman English, etc., imo.

 

[Dr.bannedman]

If the schools were that good, you'd think the towns would be growing?

to be fair to lemars: is growing

source wiki : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Mars,_Iowa

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1890	4,036		—
1900	4,146		2.7%
1910	4,157		0.3%
1920	4,683		12.7%
1930	4,788		2.2%
1940	5,353		11.8%
1950	5,844		9.2%
1960	6,767		15.8%
1970	8,159		20.6%
1980	8,276		1.4%
1990	8,454		2.2%
2000	9,237		9.3%
2010	9,826		6.4%
2020	10,571		7.6%

 

[Dr.bannedman]

to be far to lemars: is growing

source wiki : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Mars,_Iowa

Census	Pop.		%±
Historical population
1890	4,036		—
1900	4,146		2.7%
1910	4,157		0.3%
1920	4,683		12.7%
1930	4,788		2.2%
1940	5,353		11.8%
1950	5,844		9.2%
1960	6,767		15.8%
1970	8,159		20.6%
1980	8,276		1.4%
1990	8,454		2.2%
2000	9,237		9.3%
2010	9,826		6.4%
2020	10,571		7.6%

that increase from 1960 to 1970 (+20.6%) is quite interesting (white flight??? )







here is Sioux city pop decreases in 1970, 1980, 1990

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1870	3,401		—
1880	7,366		116.6%
1890	37,806		413.3%
1900	33,111		−12.4%
1910	47,828		44.4%
1920	71,227		48.9%
1930	79,183		11.2%
1940	82,364		4.0%
1950	83,991		2.0%
1960	89,159		6.2%
1970	85,925		−3.6%
1980	82,003		−4.6%
1990	80,505		−1.8%
2000	85,013		5.6%
2010	82,684		−2.7%
2020	85,791		3.8%

 

[AuH2O]

As some others have said, I'd select for option C: Move somewhere else in the country, preferably somewhere a plane ride away. After ISU, I went and explored, and wouldn't trade the experiences for anything....DFW->SEA->AUS->SEA->MSP. This is the best time in your life to go experience living somewhere else intriguing to you. It can seem daunting, but it is also a really cool experience to go explore a new city/region. Family/friends will come visit. At the end of the day, you may find out that you prefer moving back to Iowa or the Midwest. Or you may not. But you'll never know for sure if you don't go for it. FWIW, I grew up on a farm near Sioux City and went to a small school. My ex grew up in a small town near LeMars. I've spent enough time in both to know that, personally, I'd never live in or near LeMars (or SC). The white collar job prospects are more limited, and personally for me, I've found I generally prefer to socialize with people that have more than a HS education and have life experience than extends beyond the small town where they grew up.

We went that route too. Moved to CO for a few years then once we had kids came back to Ames. Sometimes definitely regret coming back, but kids are tight with Grandparents and cousins so that is a plus. Also walking distance to JTS and Hilton!

 

[CtownCyclone]

So @CheapClone1202 have you ever indicated what your job field is, besides "white collar"? I am a white collar worker who got laid off 6 months ago in a decently sized metro area (1.2 million) and have struggled to find a job since my area of expertise is not really applicable where I live.

Food for thought...

 

[Gunnerclone]

to be fair to lemars: is growing

source wiki : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Mars,_Iowa

Census	Pop.		%±
Historical population
1890	4,036		—
1900	4,146		2.7%
1910	4,157		0.3%
1920	4,683		12.7%
1930	4,788		2.2%
1940	5,353		11.8%
1950	5,844		9.2%
1960	6,767		15.8%
1970	8,159		20.6%
1980	8,276		1.4%
1990	8,454		2.2%
2000	9,237		9.3%
2010	9,826		6.4%
2020	10,571		7.6%

That’s a really really impressive chart for a rural community. How many minutes is it to Sioux City? This is exurb growth pattern.

 

[Dr.bannedman]

That’s a really really impressive chart for a rural community. How many minutes is it to Sioux City? This is exurb growth pattern.

like 32 miles or something

 

[CheapClone1202]

So @CheapClone1202 have you ever indicated what your job field is, besides "white collar"? I am a white collar worker who got laid off 6 months ago in a decently sized metro area (1.2 million) and have struggled to find a job since my area of expertise is not really applicable where I live.

Food for thought...

Criminal justice degree. Minor in political business. If I could go back in time 4 years I’d get a business administration degree, seems like that opens a lot of doors

 

[Candide]

Blue Bunny chocolate milk growing up was BY FAR the best chocolate

I have a white collar job in Sioux City, grew up in the area and moved back here after spending a few years in Omaha.

Here’s the deal with professional jobs in the Siouxland area. Not a ton of opportunity compared to Omaha or Des Moines, but there are jobs. This can work for and against you.

FOR:
When a company lands good professionals they tend to do what they can to hold onto them. It’s hard to talk anyone into moving here and staying long term. So when they get a hold of you they do what they can to keep you. That’s been my experience anyway. I think a lot of my friends would say the same.

AGAINST:
I’ve held the same position for over 20 years. If I ever lost my job I would probably have to find something else to do or pick up and move. I don't know if I could find another job in my field within 6 months. But in Omaha I could find one in a few weeks.


Le Mars is big enough to not be “clicky” but small enough to be a tight community. It’s a clean town with good schools. Just don’t go any smaller than Le Mars, being from the city you will definitely regret it.

Good luck to you.

It's clique or cliquey, guys.

 

[BCClone]

that increase from 1960 to 1970 (+20.6%) is quite interesting (white flight??? )







here is Sioux city pop decreases in 1970, 1980, 1990

Census	Pop.		%±
Historical population
1870	3,401		—
1880	7,366		116.6%
1890	37,806		413.3%
1900	33,111		−12.4%
1910	47,828		44.4%
1920	71,227		48.9%
1930	79,183		11.2%
1940	82,364		4.0%
1950	83,991		2.0%
1960	89,159		6.2%
1970	85,925		−3.6%
1980	82,003		−4.6%
1990	80,505		−1.8%
2000	85,013		5.6%
2010	82,684		−2.7%
2020	85,791		3.8%

Maybe a large expansion at Wells or another business settling in town?

 

[Gunnerclone]

Maybe a large expansion at Wells or another business settling in town?

People that are doing exactly what the OP was thinking about. Living in a smaller school district and working in the nearest core city.

 

[cyclones500]

In a small school you make any team or event you try out for

True, in my tiny-town experience, long ago. You can participate prominently in ANYTHING, if you so desired. (Extends beyond sports, too, if you're "well-rounded.")

Downside is, when you leap to real life, you realize there's (gasp!) a s***-ton of other people much better than you at nearly everything, even your best stuff!

 

[BCClone]

There was discussion about HSs, but I would like to know, how many people picked where they lived for the school that their kids would go to.

 

[CycloneBax]

My last speeding ticket was almost 20 years ago in Huxley. Ticketed for going 38 in a 35....And I was actually going 38.

 

[Clone83]

A decade ago or so there was a prisoner escape in southern Iowa, ultimately with just the escapee on foot running through the corns fields with a bunch of police cars chasing him. If I recall correctly he was armed, I think took the officer’s gun when he escaped.

Everyone knew to beware, and of course was on edge going into that night. Hearkening back to when the Register covered all of Iowa, they interviewed people in the nearby town, knowing this guy was loose, and dangerous, like the young waitresses at the local diner.

That night, the escaped prisoner paid a visit to a local farm. It was a small house, owned and occupied by an elderly retired couple, who owned the farm.

They talked for two or three hours, until at some point the husband got his gun from its hiding place — which wouldn’t have been easy to hide in such a small house — and shot and killed the guy. The couple didn’t talk to the media at all about what happened or anything. No charges were filed though as it was determined that it was in self defense.

Besides farming, the husband was retired as a prison guard in nearby Maryville, Missouri.

The town here was Bedford. Bedford Elementary was one of five Iowa schools recognized today

The U.S. Department of Education has selected five Iowa schools for its Blue Ribbon Schools designation.

The five schools were chosen in the high-performance category that is based on their academic performance on state assessments or national tests. …

Five Iowa schools awarded national Blue Ribbon designation - Radio Iowa

The U.S. Department of Education has selected five Iowa schools for its Blue Ribbon Schools designation. The five schools were chosen in the high-performance category that is based on their academic performance on state assessments or national tests. The schools are Bedford Elementary, Pleasant...

www.radioiowa.com

 

[WoodCy]

I was born and raised in LeMars. I pretty much left after I started in the Fall at State. I would go home briefly at holidays and then head right back to Ames. After college I moved to Klamath Falls, OR followed by the north suburbs of Pittsburgh a couple years later and the north suburbs of Madison, WI a few years later. We now live in Atkins, IA a small 2k person town 10 minutes west of Cedar Rapids. I have been everywhere across this great US of A.

LeMars isn't as horrible as some are making it out to be. If you are well traveled you will appreciate many of the nicer, well kept small towns in Iowa. LeMars is small enough to know a bunch of folks but big enough that you don't everyone. I personally wouldn't want to live in LeMars fresh out of college.

 

[ATLDML]

That’s a really really impressive chart for a rural community. How many minutes is it to Sioux City? This is exurb growth pattern.

These are quite interesting. I don't think it's all commuters though. There are a cluster of towns in that area that have pretty decent economies. Look at the similar (or actually even better) stats for Orange City or Sioux Center in Sioux County. These towns are not 'dying' the way a lot of other towns are.