Can you live in Des Moines without owning a car? (West Des Moines: apartment complex, insurance)

[Stavemaster]

I didn't see anything in the article about this guy having a family. Living carless is one thing when it's just you, but add kids to the mix and it becomes a huge hassle.

[funksoulbro]

Originally Posted by Stavemaster

I didn't see anything in the article about this guy having a family. Living carless is one thing when it's just you, but add kids to the mix and it becomes a huge hassle.

You're absolutely right. Try handing your kids a bus schedule whenever they need to be picked up from soccer practice or a friend's house. That doesn't work too well, or at all, really.

The guy featured in this article is some childless hipster d-bag who is friends with the DM Juice crowd. He was featured because his story made Des Moines sound even trendier to all the other hipster d-bags reading that publication. In no way does DM Juice reflect the mentality of normal people who aren't hipster d-bags.

[tollfree]

Those DMjuice people aren't even hipsters though...they're "young professionals".

Even the ones who don't have that mentality, still find those articles to be extremely pandering.

[funksoulbro]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

Even the ones who don't have that mentality, still find those articles to be extremely pandering.

The whole thing sounds rather contrived. These DM Juice writers come up with "big city" premises for their articles and try to stretch the words so it sounds like only in Des Moines could one do these things. I've known quite a few folks in smaller Iowa towns who didn't have a car (due to economic reasons) but still managed to live and work. My neighbor across the street hasn't had a vehicle for years. He's always out on the corner catching a bus. It isn't some flashy BIG CITY lifestyle choice or political statement he's making. The guy just doesn't have a license. So, he rides the bus or walks everywhere.

[lurtsman]

Most people who think they are young professionals are anything but. They are spoiled brats who received a high paying job from their daddy's friend and are failing miserably, costing the company money. They are basically hipsters with less ironic shirts and a waist band that is 1.5 inches higher.

Real young professionals build their own businesses or find a job through their education and ability. Unfortunately, nepotism expands the fake young professionals and creates barriers for those with real ability.

[atler8]

Regarding today @ 8:18:
My we are personally in-the-know about everyone & can make harsh, judgemental blanket statements about everyone else's situations, can't we?

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by atler8

Regarding today @ 8:18:
My we are personally in-the-know about everyone & can make harsh, judgemental blanket statements about everyone else's situations, can't we?

Amen!

[capitalcityguy]

I thought this was an interesting article. I'm not sure why so many are so hostile over a guy that chooses not to own a car. Strange.

Not having to rely on a vehicle to get everywhere is a big benefit to many people....especially those of modest means. It can make a big difference to a person living paycheck-to-paycheck to be able to eliminate (or at least reduce) the thousands of dollars of annual cost of owning and operating a car.

[funksoulbro]

Originally Posted by capitalcityguy

I thought this was an interesting article. I'm not sure why so many are so hostile over a guy that chooses not to own a car. Strange.

It's not his decision to own/not own a car that is invoking criticism. Such a decision is a personal matter not worthy of press coverage, even in the smallest of Iowa towns.

Instead, it's the tone of this article which is rather peculiar. Virtually every city in Iowa with a population of 20,000 or more has public transit options available. MuscaBus has an extensive route system in a city of 23,000 people. You could easily live downtown and commute to work at any number places around Muscatine. They even have Saturday service if you needed to go grocery shopping or pick up some tube socks at the Super Wal-Mart.

I'm also pretty sure there's no law against carpooling or calling a friend to drive you somewhere in Muscatine. So, Des Moines isn't the only city in Iowa where you can go all "BIG CITY" and ditch the automobile completely. It's probably just as much an inconvenience in Muscatine as it is in Des Moines. Yet, the article in DMJuice takes on this whole only-in-Des-Moines mantra which is what draws ridicule.

[duster1979]

Originally Posted by funksoulbro

They even have Saturday service if you needed to go grocery shopping or pick up some tube socks at the Super Wal-Mart.

So you can't use it if you prefer crew socks? Lame.