<p>Not the usual thread you would see around here, but I would like some input from you.</p>
<p>I'm from the midwest (Iowa), and it's really boring here. I don't think it's a big city small city thing. I mean Des Moines is pretty big. I think I'm mostly bored by the general location. Sure, there's a lot of space, and the real estate is nice, but the things you can do are limited, especially if you don't drink and dance. Does this hold true for most places in the Midwest?</p>
<p>I'm applying for grad schools, and one of the most important yet often overlooked detail is the location.</p>
<p>Well… no offense, but Des Moines does not classify as a big city in my book. There are a lot of places in the midwest that are not boring. A few I can think of right offhand are Ann Arbor, Chicago, and the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul). I have not been to St. Louis, but have heard some good things. All have colleges. There are some great natural areas (Boundary Waters Canoe area, lots of places on the Great Lakes, areas along rivers and lakes). Obviously they do not have many colleges, but just saying that there is more to the natural wonders of the midwest than “a lot of space”. I am sure other CCers can list many others. :)</p>
<p>I’ve heard (from people who’ve lived there) that Minneapolis and St. Paul are VERY diverse. In fact, I believe St. Paul was voted “America’s gayest city” by a GLBT magazine. It also has a lot of things to do. So I would look at the University of Minnesota.</p>
<p>I didn’t really address the ethnic or cultural diversity in my post… although the thread is titled “How diverse…”, the question that followed did not actually ask that. But agree, all of those cities I mentioned (Twin Cities, Ann Arbor, Chicago) have considerable ethnic and cultural diversity. I live in one of them, and it is not at all boring! Tons of activities in the areas of arts, music, sports, politics, food, etc.</p>
<p>Boredom is in the mind of the beholder. It completely depends on what you like to do. If you enjoy surfing, Mt climbing, snow skiing, desert 4 wheeling, etc., then much of the midwest is the wrong place. </p>
<p>If you don’t care about those things but rather, like to go out to restaurants with your friends, go to movies, go dancing, really enjoy cornfields , and like large flat vistas, then someplace like Iowa is the place to be.</p>
<p>Des Moines is big enough to have people for friends, movie theaters showing the same movies as theaters anywhere, plenty of restaurants, bars, etc. </p>
<p>Figure out what things would not make you bored and then go to the place that provides those things.</p>
<p>What about Madison, Wisconsin…or Columbus, Ohio. Both are in the Midwest but have state flagship universities with many graduate programs, and plenty to do. I know many folks who rave about Milwaukee.</p>
<p>I’m also from Iowa, and went to undergrad/med school in Wisconsin and then lived all over. I’m also first generation Chinese, and no, the midwest is not really diverse, if you are talking about race, gay-friendly, politically, etc. I love the Midwest very very much, and there are many wonderful things about it, namely, the people, their friendliness, the feeling of being safe, the goodheartedness of society. But it was hard being “other” in small town Iowa and later, in small-city Wisconsin. I can’t imagine being African American unless you live in Chicago, Mpls, Milwaukee, Madison or a few other cities. It’s tough. There’s a bigotry that I see rooted in ignorance rather than hatred. When I grew up, many people had actually never known an Asian or Latino person, let alone a black person. They weren’t racist or hateful, they were more curious and maybe mean in an ignorant way, but it was still painful at times. A LOT has changed. But you might want to try out other parts of the country. You may find more diversity (I have!) and like it (I do!), but you may very well miss the Midwest (I do!).</p>
<p>I high tailed it for the Twin Cities (grad school in Minneapolis and 5 years after)…I sometimes wish I were still in the Twin Cities. At one point in time I was thinking San Diego…and at another time I was thinking of simply throwing a dart on a US Map and going to grad school whatever was close to the dart. I went to NY…briefly…not a fan. Chicago and Boston I lived short periods of time in my early twenties and loved (near water…a must for me). Have fun and good luck picking! it’s really all about you and what intrigues you and where you can get accepted.</p>
<p>There are many, many things to do in MSP, Chicago, etc. that don’t revolve around drinking and dancing. Go to a larger city where there is some culture.</p>
<p>I can relate to you because I could not wait to get out of the Midwest when I was 18 either, but now I miss it in many ways. It is less ethnically or culturally diverse than either coasts, while being less crowded and less expensive. People in general are not as aggressive, mainly because they don’t have to be. Life is gentler. The Northeast is a stressful, competitive rat race by comparison. There are times when I miss the slower pace and the “niceness” (and the real estate prices).</p>
<p>St. Louis and KC are both very diverse in all kinds of ways. </p>
<p>"Really enjoy cornfields. . . " LOL.</p>
<p>Nothing to do in Iowa? Have you ever been to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum (just E. of Iowa city off I-80)? I went there last summer–it was an interesting place.</p>
<p>lol. Every Iowa schoolkid goes to the Herbert Hoover museum at least a couple times during their childhoods. It is interesting, but, well, you can’t go everyday!! Iowa has lots to do, but I can certainly sympathize with the OPs views. It’s how I felt too, and to a point, it’s a valid opinion. Iowa City is cool but not very big and I agree with the poster who points out that DM is not really a big city by any stretch.</p>
<p>Oh please…we live in the northeast about 2 hours from NYC or Boston. We are about an hour to the ocean, and same to good ski areas. Both of my kids say there is NOTHING to do here! The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.</p>
Thumper: I think you’ve spoken a fairly universal truth. Pick anywhere in the country, any city, and some kids will always say they’re “bored” and “there’s nothing to do around here”. </p>
<p>OP:
If you want a change in scenery why not try to move to a coastal area - West or East or Southeast? Is there any reason why you want to stay in the midwest for grad school yet someplace else in the midwest (other than possibly attending an state U in-state due to cost)?</p>
<p>We just moved to the midwest from the Bay Area. I am liking my new location a lot so far. But, if you want change, I’d recommend the Bay Area. Loved it there. I miss it – the people, the food, the flowers, the ocean . . . However, the honey crisp apples are really good here! My daughter says she never really liked apples until now, LOL.</p>
<p>*I just need a change in scenery. I’ve taken trips across the midwest, and aside from Chicago and Minneapolis, they’re not that different. *</p>
<p>Every city, no matter the region, will be different. Each will have its own vibe. Even if on paper they seem the same, their histories will differ and those histories will heavily influence the feel of any city. Some cities will have German roots, others Italian roots, etc., and most will have a little of everything that you can discover. That said, cities will change depending on the industries that flourish there, and that can change the tone as well.</p>
<p>I’m in the midwest, and totally get your desire to experience something different - I want that for my kids too. But I don’t think you can necessarily say an Iowa town = an Indiana town = an Ohio town.</p>
<p>that’s what I’m doing. I’m basically applying in every region except the midwest, except maybe Boulder. I think it’ll be really cool to live near the ocean. I’ve been landlocked my whole life, never even seen the ocean except from the view of an airplane</p>
, and like large flat vistas, then someplace like Iowa is the place to be.</p>