I've always dreamt of what it would be like to live off of the coast or high in the mountains... but instead, I found myself in the small, big city, of Des Moines, Iowa. Growing up here, I've had my ups and downs, but most importantly is that I've come to love it. You're probably wondering "What could a city in the heart of the Midwest have in store?" Here’s what:

Traditions

Whether you’re a trick or treating for the first time or a visitor, we’ve got you covered.

Beggars Night, the day before Halloween where all the parents take their kid out for Trick or Treating. Unlike cities with simple rules like “Knock on the door and say hi for candy,” doesn’t cut it here. If you’re planning to get as much candy as possible, you better have some jokes lined up because telling them is how you’re going to make the most “profit.” Here in Des Moines, we are taught to work for what we want from a very young age. Don’t have a joke? Better luck next year.

Once you grow out of Trick or Treating (one of the sadder obstacles in life) and are given keys to car, we have something called "scooping the loop." Scooping the loop isn’t just an ice cream truck downtown, but an activity most high school students in the Des Moines area participate in. Before I explain, this hobby isn’t that exciting, and we know that. Regardless, we have to make our own fun so load your cars with gas, break out your favorite songs and pack them full of your closest friends because you’re going for a drive. Yup, that’s it, a drive around downtown complete with drag races, people, music- fun! Now that I explain it, I guess you have to be there to get the full effect. Sorry.

The Iowa State Fair. Go.

We've Got Spirit, Yes We Do

We know what you probably are thinking when we say we live Des Moines. So no, we don’t all live on a farm, yes we have paved roads and no I don’t ride a horse to school. Pushing aside these overdrawn stereotypes, we’ve got a whole lot of pride for our hometown. Ask any local if they are proud of the city of Des Moines and I bet you get a 5 body paragraph essay in MLA format backed up with research as to why it’s so damn great.

What's there to be proud of?

We're proud of our little zoo. We're proud of the Olympians that have come from the state. We're proud when the Cyclones win, we're proud when the Hawkeyes win. We're proud that our airport is international. We're proud of how hipster we are. We're proud of our caucuses. Lastly, our farmers that you like to make fun of so much help put food on your table, so, you're welcome. We're especially proud of them.

We've got spirit, yes we do. We've go spirit, how 'bout you?

Iowa Nice

Ever heard of Minnesota nice? We're nicer.

We'll hold doors open for you even if you're a mile and a half away. Cut us off in traffic and we will apologize. Great customer service no matter where you go. Wave hi and we will wave hi back. We're so damn nice! If you visit and don't experience this kind of generosity, you're probably in the wrong state.

I'm sure Des Moines doesn't sound like the most glorious place on Earth, but come on for a visit and we'll show you why living here is, well, worth it. Hopefully you see why I love it so much.