#AsuquoTravelsTheUSA: 8 things you may not know about Iowa

Mention to anyone in the United States that you will be visiting Des Moines, the capital of Iowa, (a Midwest state) and they will think you are going mad or something was wrong with you. Well yes that was the same response I got when I told close friends that I will be going there as part of my continued tour of the United States.

Des Moines as a thriving downtown, a bike race to end all bike races, and an American football rivalry that turns brother against brother, Des Moines is no ordinary Midwest city.

Iowa is truly one of the most underrated states. Here are things you may not Know about Iowa:

Food and Agriculture:
Iowa is known for agriculture, so it comes as no surprise the city’s farmers markets are pretty great. Iowa, is in the heart of America’s heartland, is sometimes referred to as the “corn state,” but look past our famous cornfields, and you’ll find so much more. And well known by many as the “Food Capital of the World.”

Downtown Des Moines
Des Moines the capital is one of those cities doing a fabulous job gentrifying its downtown. 20 years ago, downtown was the place to go if you needed to visit the courthouse, the Civic Centre or eat at one of a few restaurants.

You can catch a Broadway show on a Friday night and spend a Saturday morning at the Downtown Farmers’ Market. A place where you can experience locally-owned restaurants and live music venues. Spend your day shopping boutiques in the Historic East Village, Valley Junction and West Glen Town Centre. Explore public art, endless trails and family-friendly attractions. Catch a city where affordability and easy meet fun and unique. Catch it all in Des Moines, Iowa.

Buildings in the downtown of Des Moines are well known for their well connected skywalk.

Low cost of living:
The cost of living is much lower than average. It’s around 10 percent below the national average in Des Moines, and much lower in smaller towns.

According to Trulia.com, the average listing price for a single-family home in Iowa is $174,101, higher only than the average listing price in Ohio. That means Iowa has the second cheapest housing in the nation.

Taste of all four seasons:
In Iowa, you will never be bored with the endless summer heat because they have four seasons and each one is more beautiful than the last…LOL

Iowa weather can be sometimes unpredictable and fickle—it can rarely make up its mind, so get used to never knowing what the weather will be next. You’ll be scraping ice off your car in the morning and turning the A/C on by the afternoon when it’s 70 F/12 C degrees and sunny.

Every true Iowan keeps sweatshirts, shorts, hats, scarves, gloves, and all other articles of clothing in their car at all times… just in case!

American Football:
Most Iowan have been raised on the Cyclones or the Hawkeyes—and no matter who you root for, you know there’s nothing more important than the Cy-Hawk Series, or, as it’s more popularly known as, the “Iowa-Iowa State” football game.

Here’s a little cheat sheet for you:

– Iowa State University: Cyclones, crimson and gold, called “Iowa State,” “ISU” or just “State.”
– University of Iowa: Hawkeyes (sometimes called “Hawks”), black and gold, called “Iowa” or “U of I.”

If you are not wearing anything with either Cyclones or Hawkeyes insignia and the topic of sports comes up, that person will likely be asked if he is an Iowa State/Cyclones or Iowa/Hawks fan. This is the biggest rivalry in the history of the world, so don’t pick a side until you feel you can make an informed decision because you will be branded for life.

This rivalry is just as much fun as it is intense. And when I say intense, I mean it. You may even want to avoid Facebook during the series to avoid losing friends, ruining relationships, or destroying your marriage. Things get dirty with this rivalry, so if you’re new to series, choose wisely.

Surprisingly Liberal:
It may come as a shock to you but most people here are very open minded and have liberal views.

Iowa was the third state in the United States and first state outside New England to legalize same-sex marriage, after Massachusetts and Connecticut. As the state capital Des Moines is out and proud, and the city’s Pridefest draws thousands every year in a celebration of expression and acceptance.

Home of Politics and Caucuses:
Every four years, the Iowa Caucuses held all around the state signal the beginning of election season and candidates make appearances, kiss babies and show how they can hang out with regular folks, hoping to set themselves apart from the other candidates. So you can bet Des Moines plays a big part in choosing the next commander-in-chief.

Jordan Creek
In 2003, the area west of West Des Moines was a patchwork of cornfields. Today it’s a developers’ dream and a top retail destination for many (but to others, a nightmare of urban sprawl). The new neighborhood is also home to the largest mall in the state of Iowa (Jordan Creek Town Centre), and surrounded by restaurants, movie theatres, office buildings and residential developments.

So far so good I have had a very nice experience in Iowa and will surely be back here again. Next on my tour of the United States is Minneapolis, Minnesota.