A lot of cities are more than happy to welcome newcomers into the fold, but Ames does it better than anywhere else.
There are a lot of factors that go into choosing a new city to call home. What’s the job market like? How about the schools, cost of living and proximity to family?
There’s one intangible that’s extremely important and often overlooked during the decision-making process, and that’s how welcoming the city is to newcomers, especially foreign and domestic immigrants. Nobody wants to wind up somewhere they’re not really wanted and appreciated for their talents, after all.
A lot of cities have come a long way in making all types of people feel wanted and included. Some cities have programs in place (via the government or otherwise) specifically to help with immigrant well-being. For example, the Philadelphia non-profit The Welcoming Center has an Intercultural Wellness Program which teaches immigrants how to navigate their new surroundings and find solutions to common problems. Although less daunting than moving into a foreign land with totally different languages and customs, it’s also important for people who migrate from other areas of the country to select a city that can make them feel at home and valued.
Aim for opportunity in Ames
It’s no longer necessary to fly blind during the decision-making process since the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative crunched the numbers and ranked U.S. cities on how welcoming they are to new residents. At the top of the list of most welcoming cities is the metro of Ames, Iowa, which is a little bit north of Des Moines and smaller than any other metro in the top 10 — with a population of only 126,000. Here are some of the ways that Ames stands out from the pack.
Ames is a well-known safe haven
There are so many conflicts going on right now, causing people to flee their beloved homeland. The Ames metro area has welcomed many immigrants from Honduras, Ukraine, South Sudan and other countries in recent years as they exit war-torn and otherwise dangerous situations in hopes of finding prosperity and peace.
At 7 percent, the immigration rate in Ames, Iowa, is higher than in many other cities, likely due to the area’s reputation for happily taking on people who need a friendly face, a warm bed and plenty of professional opportunities.
Some of this is likely due to the fact that Ames is home to Iowa State University, which has excellent programs in engineering, agriculture and many other areas of study. The Bush study noted that college towns and other “knowledge-centric” cities tend to be the most welcoming, so Ames’s spot at the top of the list makes perfect sense.
Opportunities abound in Ames
Ames boasts a very high opportunity score of 27.5 when compared with other cities. This means that Ames offers a better quality of life than the areas where the immigrants and migrants are coming from.
This is all great news, considering many newcomers are looking for their luck to change for the better. For a frame of reference, the Orlando metro area only has a score of 8.7, and Jacksonville’s is even lower at 5.8.
Other reasons people are moving to Iowa
In austere economic times, many people are looking for cities where the dollar stretches as far as possible. This makes moving to the Hawkeye State appealing, as the cost of living in Iowa is well below the national average.
As a college town, Ames is especially affordable, with a cost of living 19.7 percent below the national average. The average one-bedroom apartment rents out for $805 per month, and a two-bedroom unit is only slightly more at $872.
Ames, Iowa, is also growing by leaps and bounds, which translates into tons of job and educational opportunities. Since immigrants are known entrepreneurs, often opening their own businesses and thus adding to the area’s economic stability, this growth only adds to the area’s appeal. There are also many opportunities to kick back and enjoy life, thanks to booming arts, entertainment, retail and dining scenes near the university.
Great apartments to rent in Ames
Most college towns have more than enough apartments available for rent, and Ames is no exception. Brick Towne Ames is an attractive – you guessed it – brick apartment community with a pool, clubhouse and other amenities.
Prairie West is one option that gives would-be renters a choice between regular and upgraded units, or people who long for high-end housing might opt for a unit in Campus Flats.
Ames is clearly a friendly place
Ames, Iowa, is just over there in the Midwest quietly excelling at everything, but especially at being welcoming. This benefits immigrants, migrants and residents of the area in more ways than you’d at first imagine.
Looking for a place to live in this welcoming university city? Start here!
Source: rent.com