Moving to Fort Dodge

[gary1989]

Wow people are just dumb in this thread, the biggest crime I've had committed against me in Fort Dodge was my senior year I left my car unlocked in the parking lot and someone smoked a cigarette in it and stole the 2-3 dollars of change I had sitting in it. I had friends from all around town and never felt even remotely unsafe while visiting them. The biggest complaint I had growing up is that its fairly boring, especially in the winter when its too cold to do things outside.I would have absolutely no issue settling back there after finishing my degree if a job were available. Plenty of very nice, down to earth people who I'm glad are my friends still today.

I agree, I have never had a problem in Fort Dodge. The one and only time I have ever been victimized by crime was when our van had it's window busted out to get my wife's purse and camera, and that was in Ankeny for crying out loud.

FD is alot like any town, if your looking for trouble you can certainly find plenty of it. That quality is not lacking among any city in Iowa.

 

[Bigguns]

So I'm guessing you're telling me to commute.

In that case, what are some decent towns around Ft. Dodge?

Lehigh

 

[VTXCyRyD]

I have family in Fort Dodge. Its not a bad town. Plenty to do. What I HATE about going there is I loose all radio stations except the Fort Dodge channels. The town is like a giant hole. It never fails. About the minute I pull off of Hwy 20 I have to turn radio stations because reception is gone.

 

[Angie]

OK, so no one likes Ft. Dodge. What do people know about living in Webster City, Humboldt, Rockwell City, or some of the small towns around the area?

Lived in Ft. Dodge from birth to about 9, then moved to Duncombe and went to school in Webster City. I'd probably prefer to send kids to WC than to FD, but that is based off of my experiences about 20 years ago. Still have family up there, so we head up there several times a year.

Hit Taco Tico and Community Pizza, Mineral City is pretty good. Ja-Mar was disgusting when I was little, but I think it's gotten a lot better. The mall is even worse than North Grand, but there's always the internet for shopping.

Good luck!

 

[Senolcyc]

Draw a 60-mile diameter circle with Fort Dodge in the middle and Humboldt is going to offer you the best place to live and raise kids. I'm not going to bash FD or any other town, but Humboldt is your best option.

 

[Omaha Cy]

Ive lived in Fort Dodge most all my life. It's not as bad as outsiders make it out to be.

Random thoughts....the business 20 corridor project has really improved the look of the city to visitors traveling through. As much as I thought it was a waste of money, I must say I'm impressed. As for the bad neighborhoods, the city has worked pretty hard at tearing down abandoned/run down houses and removing a lot of the bad element in those areas.

I'm in the flats weekly on service calls,and there's hardly anything left down there. I rarely even see people hanging on the corners. I'm more leery of a dog getting loose and coming after me in that area, than someone trying to rob me.

As already outlined, new waterpark, plenty of sand volleyball coming up, easy access fishing spots, and a pretty decent golf course offer the main entertainment in the summer months.

I got a mortgage for my house down in the southeast corner of town, and I couldn't be happier with how quiet it is down on this end. While this isn't an affluent neighborhood by any means, the majority are retirees and people in their 30's with young children. Not a hot spot for crime and white trash.

I'm not impressed with the nightlife in Fort Dodge, but considering I spend every weekend in Omaha...I'm a little biased. Lomitas on 25th street is great. I freaking HATE Taco Tico. My girlfriend is Hispanic so I eat the real deal, and can't stand honkey Americanized fake Mexican food.

Great Library here, Community theater with a new show every couple weeks, and at least a few different options for schooling at any age. 60-65 minutes tops from my front door to being parked at Jack Trice. Hour and 15 to the I-35/I-80 intersection.

Both Rockwell City and Webster city are on the 4-lane highway 20 if you decided to comute. Humboldt is a quick 15-18 minutes from the northwest corner of dodge.

 

[isubeatle]

i've never understood why people like Taco Tico. I love fast food Mexican places, Taco Time, Tasty Tacos, etc. Even bad Mexican fast food isn't that bad. But Taco Tico is so bad. I've eaten there twice and each time i havn't been able to finish.

 

[CyBroncos]

Hit Taco Tico and Community Pizza, Mineral City is pretty good. Ja-Mar was disgusting when I was little, but I think it's gotten a lot better. The mall is even worse than North Grand, but there's always the internet for shopping.

Ja-Mar is disgusting and greasy and you can feel your arteries clogging when you eat it...but it's still awesome :smile:

Crossroads Mall is pretty pathetic...it might be the only mall in America worse then North Grand

 

[Cychl82]

well my best suggestion since im from humboldt is to live there. Nice town of 5000 with good schools etc. Not real big but cheap living and only a 15 minute commute. I personally wouldnt do anything in fort dodge other than go to Tom Thumb and Taco Tico. Other than that go to work and head home after you stop at those places to eat

 

[Iastfan112]

In terms of school, I'd definitely rate FDSH higher than Humboldt for advanced students. The selection of AP classes in high school, college courses offered at school and ease of taking college credits @ICCC was much greater than my friends who went to Humboldt. Proximity and size definitely aid Fort Dodge in that regard. Humboldt is a perfectly nice place to live or work though, so its definitely not a bad choice.

 

[CY ST8T]

If you move to Humboldt you will need a moped!

 

[Wesley]

Lived in Ft. Dodge from birth to about 9, then moved to Duncombe and went to school in Webster City. I'd probably prefer to send kids to WC than to FD, but that is based off of my experiences about 20 years ago. Still have family up there, so we head up there several times a year.

Hit Taco Tico and Community Pizza, Mineral City is pretty good. Ja-Mar was disgusting when I was little, but I think it's gotten a lot better. The mall is even worse than North Grand, but there's always the internet for shopping.

Good luck!

So your overall grade would be a C?

 

[roscoedog]

Probably get a house pretty cheap in Webster City.The Electrolux plant is moving to Mexico at the end of the month and the majority of the people will not have jobs. I had a hard time selling my moms house 3 years ago when people were working and had to sell it at very low price.

 

[CyBobby]

well my best suggestion since im from humboldt is to live there. Nice town of 5000 with good schools etc. Not real big but cheap living and only a 15 minute commute. I personally wouldnt do anything in fort dodge other than go to Tom Thumb and Taco Tico. Other than that go to work and head home after you stop at those places to eat

I agree Humboldt is a very nice place to live, I was in Humboldt last saturday and I really like the town and the people who live there...

 

[Bipolarcy]

I agree Humboldt is a very nice place to live, I was in Humboldt last saturday and I really like the town and the people who live there...

I have a ton of relatives who live in or near Humboldt. The best thing about that place though is Pasquale's Pizza. I defy anyone to find a better pizza anywhere. I'm serious. it's that good.

 

[Bigguns]

I have a ton of relatives who live in or near Humboldt. The best thing about that place though is Pasquale's Pizza. I defy anyone to find a better pizza anywhere. I'm serious. it's that good.

I ate Pasquales about 1 time per month growing up usually on my way to Bode from Ft.Dodge. I prefer both Community in Ft.Dodge and Great Plains in Ames.

 

[Bipolarcy]

I ate Pasquales about 1 time per month growing up usually on my way to Bode from Ft.Dodge. I prefer both Community in Ft.Dodge and Great Plains in Ames.

You're nuts. I've had Great Plains too. It doesn't compare to Pasquale's. I've had Ray's Pizza in New York. It doesn't compare to Pasquale's. I guess it's all in your taste. I had a guy from work tell me what he thought was the best pizza in town. I tried it last weekend. It was OK, but nothing spectacular. The thing I didn't like about it was the cheese, which was their own blend, had too much Parmesan in it. It made the whole thing way too dry.

That's the thing about Pasquale's. It's a very juicy pizza, which I just love about it, yet the cracker crust stays crunchy to the last bite. Hmmm, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Too bad I live so far from Humboldt.

 

[isu_oak]

Thanks to everyone for all the help. I decided to take a job with ISU instead and will be moving to Ames/Ankeny in a month or so. Better fit for my career goals and such.

 

[aauummm]

Thanks to everyone for all the help. I decided to take a job with ISU instead and will be moving to Ames/Ankeny in a month or so. Better fit for my career goals and such.

Wow, congratulations!!

 

[Dopey]

Ha, fair enough. I grew up in Ames and Boone was always the town we made fun of. Ft Dodge has some nice parts but its rough parts are really rough

Haha. Some of you guys need to peer out from your white picket fence and take a trip out of the county for once.