I Explored 10 Small Towns In Iowa On A Random Summer Day

After seeing this, you might just want to move to Iowa.

I don't know if it's true or not but someone told me the two words I used the most in my last video about Iowa were boring and corn. My goal for the next week is to find more words to describe Iowa.


They say Iowa's corn produces more oxygen than the Amazon. Iowa is also second in the country for agriculture. So maybe my FIRST new word to describe Iowa is important.

Believe it or don’t - I had never been to Iowa before. I had written about it and talked to lots of people who live here. I KNEW a lot about Iowa. But I had never stepped foot here before.

I’d spend an entire week here, criss crossing the state to figure it all out. I know - when’s the last time you ever heard of anyone spending a week here voluntarily?

Right now we’re in the small town of Belle Plaine, Iowa. Population two thousand four hundred and nineteen. That’s about average for small towns in Iowa. I’d know. I stopped in every small town I came to along the way.

And there are A LOT of small towns in the middle of Iowa.

#iowa #moving

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[truthteller]

I’m from Chicago….I’ve been all over the country. Iowans are by far the absolute nicest and most genuine people you will ever meet in your entire lives. Every person should make it a point to go there just to see how basic human respect for strangers works.

[nancybode]

I was born and raised in Iowa, and spent the first 57.5 years of my life there. I know Marengo, Belle Plaine and Tama. I graduated from Iowa State in 1988 and walked down the sidewalks you showed in your video. Seriously, I started crying a little. Thank you so much for showing me pictures of home. This was one of your best videos ever. I miss Iowa. This video was so beautiful. Thank you, Nick.

[kevinshannon]

I'm 65 and have lived in California for 52 of the last 53 years. My dad was raised in Iowa. I went to kindergarten there and spent summers at my grandparents home in Anita, IA. Population less than 2, 000. Heading there in 2 weeks with my wife to look at homes. I want to "gear down" and spend my latter years in life in a small town with traditional values. Great video...Thanks!

[FastKiwiBoss]

I'm from down under(New Zealand) and just spent 5 days in Iowa last month(sept)and luv'd it. Flew into DesMoine, up to Ames, down to knoxville, stayed in Pella(luvd Pella) Davenport for the vintage motor cycle swap meet, stop at I80 worlds largest truck stop and much more....very single person I met was super nice and could tell by my accent I wasn't from around here, I plan to visit again. Thanks for this video. Dale

[DanielH]

Visited a friend in Ottumwa Iowa for a wedding. Was a great experience. We visited some other nearby towns as well. The people were very hospitable, and I enjoyed the homely, small town vibe. Nature is abundant and it was cool to see lots of open fields, preserved historical buildings and fireflies. Personally, I enjoyed the old school mentality. Hard work, honesty, perseverance and people look for solutions instead of complaining. I hope to return again sometime soon. It was a stark contrast for someone visiting from Vancouver, British Columbia. Like every place you visit there is problems but the overall experience was great.

[murp]

I'll bet it's beautiful in rural Iowa at night seeing a starry sky without a bunch of city lights drowning it out.

[lilaward]

Raised out 6 kids here and now 13 grand kids are being raised here! Lived in other states after kids graduated, moved back for the grand babies! Yes.. I’m an Iowa Native and love it here.. 4 seasons, big corn and mostly loving and caring people❤️

[timhuwaldt]

As an Iowan, nice to see you roaming around in my neck of the woods. There's definitely a rich culture out here, though. More than just small towns and boredom!

[ghostnotes]

I’ve been watching your channel from the beginning and I’m a huge fan. As a lifelong Iowan I love the peace and serenity here. We raise gardens, we go camping, we fish and we do love our sports. We’re proud of our work ethic and the fact that our state is safe. It might be boring to some but after traveling I always look forward to coming back home to Iowa.

[christopherr]

I choose boring and farming over NYC any day of the week

[benjamindevries]

As an Iowan who moved to Florida I can honestly say you gave Iowa a good showing and a fair representation. Good people. Lots of open land. Life is a bit more simple and slower there. Iowa...it gets cold but its nice.

[overworked]

I love this! I've been living Iowa for many years, but I grew up in Chicago. I've NEVER had a temptation to return to a big city. Iowa is just such a wonderful place to live.

[FYTfaEjYHNXjChexsxmCpNEtz]

There is no place on earth better to be a little kid than a small Iowa town.

[dennissharkeyawwcomeonman]

Good stuff! Really enjoyed your chat with the Todd family. Much respect for farmers and their families.

[lilyrose]

I have lived in Iowa my whole life and I love it .It's not California, it's not Portland, it's not Chicago, it's not Florida or Texas .Thank God .

[johnr]

I'm a born and raised Iowan, I moved out of the state to Oregon in 2015, and I moved because my significant other was moving, and i really didn't want our relationship to end.

We do plan to move back to Iowa when we save enough money, because Portland is not safe at all, and it super expensive to live here. Saw a house the other day in Iowa for sale for $75, 000 in my home town. The best part is that it's a 2 bedroom, 2 bath house also with a garage. Here in Oregon your Lucky to get a house like that for $400, 000.

I would like to add one final thing about living in Iowa, theirs a strange beauty to it that can't be fully explained. Maybe its the sea of green that surrounds you ever where you go, with the rolling hills to the west acting like waves, and perhaps it's the sea of the blue sky that seems to melt into the sea of green.

[QueenB]

Nick, I raised 4 kids in Davenport, Iowa. Don’t be so negative! Yes, small towns can be very racist and small minded.
I lived in Ames growing up! The best years of my life, bar none!
My husband and I left Davenport 37 years ago, on my 40th bday. Actually couldn’t wait to get outa there! Davenport had all but died at that time! We moved to the Phoenix area and new adventures awaited!
Kids went all different directions and have careers that Iowa couldn’t have provided.
I’m now 76 and ready for the rocking chair! Lol.
Much to be said for small town living! The homeless and drugs here are prevalent and I pity the kids growing up here in the Phoenix area! It would behoove the parents to move and move fast! Sorry, I’m writing a book! 😅I have so many happy memories of Iowa and have a granddaughter still there raising her kids! Yes, it can be boring for the teens but gotta tell you, nothing wrong with green grass and corn! Some of the best melons and veggies you’ll ever eat! Love your channel but go easy on us corn fed peeps! Life can be quite good!

[susan]

I live in Iowa and yes, it is safe and friendly. Farming is a difficult life but it is satisfying! It was nice to see someone say something positive about Iowa! Also in the small towns they have beautiful court houses!

[Pogo]

I really enjoyed this one. Love that there’s still good places in the world. Thank you. Wonderful content.

[nedhedrick]

First 30 years in Iowa, last 40 years in Nebraska. Thanks for telling our story!