Featuring Renae!

When did you move downtown?

I moved downtown Des Moines in September of last year (2006).

 

Why did you decide to move downtown?

I moved to Des Moines from downtown Chicago.  After living downtown in Chicago, I knew that I wanted to continue to experience the downtown life.  Even though downtown life in Des Moines is very different than downtown Chicago, it still has that ‘city’ feel.  There are a lot of good things developing in Des Moines that it is an exciting time to live here.

 

What do you do for fun?

I like traveling domestically and internationally, exercising, riding my bike, hanging out with my family and friends, going to sporting events (Professional basketball is my favorite) and volunteering.

 

What do you love about downtown?

I love being able to walk places for work or fun.  I work downtown, so I don’t have to mess with traffic.  I enjoy being able to walk to the Farmer’s market on Saturdays or to the YMCA to work out.  The Civic Center and the I-Cubs are within close proximity as well as a few restaurants.  The Science Center is very close.  I also like the Skywalks.  It is wonderful to be able to keep warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and dry when it is raining out.  Des Moines is like any other place, there are always things to do, you just have to look for the things you have an interest in.  I think the city does an outstanding job of landscaping.  The flowers and plants make the streets feel like a neighborhood.

Is there anything downtown needs?

Downtown really needs a full service grocery store and more restaurants.  A Mexican restaurant would be awesome!  It would be nice to see businesses stay open later in the evenings and on the weekends.  Once there is more entertainment for people, then downtown which eventually start seeing more people moving to the downtown neighborhood.

Would you recommend living downtown?  Why?

I definitely recommend living downtown.  You are in the center of activities.  Since I moved here there have been 2 grocery stores built and at least 2 new bars and a new restaurant opened.  You can leave your car parked and enjoy walking to your destinations without having to deal with parking.  It is a fun place to be and will only get better!

Thanks to Renae for sharing her downtown experience with us!  If you live downtown, or in Sherman Hill, and would like to share your experiences with us here, send an email to josh@downtowndesmoinesblog.com!