Des Moines: A youth magnet city?

[fostprei]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124242099361525009.html

I'm surpised I haven't heard more about this around here. Imo, this is an amazing revelation. For Des Moines to be included on that list of cities is something to be extremely proud of. I'm speaking mostly to the bar graph on the page and not the article. According to the graph, only 19 cities in the US have had more net migration of educated adults over the age of 25 (between 05-07).

I've been trying to find more detail on the roots of this report but have been unsuccessful so far.

Here's the thread on skyscraperpage.com that I originally found the article.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=169209

If you scan through the thread I think someone calculated that Sarasota and Des Moines were the top cities per capita in regards to net inflow.

If this study does in fact have legs to stand on, I think the city should promote this to no end. Thoughts?

[MrMafia]

GO DES MOINES!!!!!

Omaha ... WHAT HAPPENED?!?!?! j/k

[Mastermind]

Do these numbers include intra state migration (meaning from other cities in the state)? If so i can see how Des Moines would rank high.

[Mulder.DSM]

I will have to get something posted on Living Downtown Des Moines .com blog.

[fostprei]

I'm still amazed to see the net migration #'s within a few thousand of the likes of Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, KC, etc.

I think Des Moines has found a niche as this "Big Little City" offering a variety of cultural experiences combined with opportunity for strong quality of life. Let's hope this momentum continues.

[MrMafia]

I prefer to call Des Moines "a small BIG city" or "an entry level big city"

This list is proof of that. Most of these places are WAY bigger than us but yet we compete with them neck and neck.

[hawk61401]

I think Des Moines has found a niche as this "Big Little City" offering a variety of cultural experiences combined with opportunity for strong quality of life. Let's hope this momentum continues.

It wasn't long ago that we would have never dreamed of a Los Angeles arts magazine calling Des Moines a cool city. The Magazine of and for the Arts LOS ANGELES:
http://themagla.com/cgi-bin/artmagla/page.cgi?g=Detailed/825.html;opening=34

[econboy]

This is very telling. It shows that we are making strides when it comes to Des Moines.

There is still work to be done, but Des Moines continuously evolves and improves. It seems to have been doing that since I can remember.

[Mototail]

This type of article amplifies why I thought about moving back to the Beltway of DC, but decided to stay in Des Moines. Des Moines is only as non-hip as you make it. From sports to food to art it has it all without the congestion.

It looks like the data they used was from the Bookings Institute which is very reputable. Plus it's the WSJ.
My parents both grew up here from the 40's to the 60's. We'd come back here all the time when I was a kid. My mom would call Des Moines "Little Big Town". I'd ask her way she'd say that and she'd tell me it's just always been referred to that when she grew up here. I guess Des Moines has always been a little cosmo on different scales.