Dec-14-2008

If You Work Downtown, Why Don’t You Live Downtown?


A lot of recent studies show that a short commute is a major key to happiness. It’s not only about saving time, its about less social connections. Robert Putnam, a Harvard political scientist, said “There’s a simple rule of thumb: Every ten minutes of commuting results in ten per cent fewer social connections. Commuting is connected to social isolation, which causes unhappiness.”

Commuting to work has been reported to be the least enjoyable activity of one’s day. With so many housing options available downtown, there’s no reason not think seriously about moving downtown.

Just look at all the rental properties (with red balloons) and purchasing (with orange balloons) choices that are available downtown.

For more information on downtown housing, check out our Downtown Housing page which includes the latest real estate listings and news.


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Oct-3-2008

Only a Few More Weeks of Reverse Commute


When I first moved to the Des Moines metro, I worked downtown and lived in West Des Moines and made the commute back-n-forth from the burbs to downtown five days a week. A few years ago, that changed and my offices were located in West Des Moines so the commute was short and sweet. Back in March of this year, I moved downtown and started the reverse-commute to my offices in West Des Moines. The reverse commute hasn’t been that bad, it’s only taken me about 15 to 20 minutes to get to work and home each day, this is significantly shorter than the nearly half hour to forty-minute commutes I had in South Florida. I found out this week that my department will be relocating in the upcoming weeks to our downtown offices. Talk about a short commute, I won’t even have to get my car out of the garage. It will be a walking commute for me. A hugh advantage to both working and living downtown.

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