What It's Like Living on Main Street
A boutique where the owner knows your name — and your style. A coffee shop where your order is ready before you reach the counter. Bars that feel less like businesses and more like second living rooms, run by people who give back as much as they serve. This is life in a Main Street community in Greater Des Moines (DSM).
What is a Main Street Community?
You might be wondering: what makes a Main Street different from other busy streets lined with businesses?
Main Street communities are part of a nationwide movement focused on bringing historic downtowns and neighborhood districts back to life through local businesses, creating places people want to spend time in and preserving character.
Why Do Main Streets Matter?
Most communities have a place where people return to again and again — for connection, a quick treat, a gift or simply a familiar face. For many, that’s Main Street.
“For residents and visitors, Main Streets offer the kind of niche shopping and dining experiences people are actively seeking — locally owned, unique and full of character — drawing visitors who want something different than typical retail corridors,” said Bryce Johnson, City of Indianola Community & Economic Development Director. For Indianola, the Main Street Iowa designation ensures that their downtown remains intact: walkable and vibrant.
But these historic downtowns offer more than just convenience. They support local businesses, preserve the character of a community and create everyday interactions that turn neighbors into friends.
Why Should I Live in a Main Street Community?
“It’s energizing to live in an active, revitalized place and engage with people of all ages and backgrounds,” Steve Frevert, Executive Director of the Historic Valley Junction Foundation and West Des Moines resident, shared. “As residents in a mixed use, historic downtown district, we enjoy the convenience, richness and vibe of the neighborhood — steps away from great restaurants and pubs, interesting local shops and galleries and award-winning ice cream!”
A Day in the Life
For a resident of a Main Street community, their day might begin on Main Street for a cup of coffee. But a quick errand can easily turn into something much more: connecting with familiar faces whether it’s the barista or a neighbor. By the afternoon, neighbors drift between boutiques, cafes and restaurants, while business owners greet regulars by name from open storefront doors. When evening arrives, the bars and restaurants become extensions of homes where friends and family connect, patios full with friends catching up over a glass of wine while kids chase each other past storefront lights.
What are the Main Street Communities in Greater Des Moines?
The DSM region includes several Main Street Communities in the state of Iowa.
- Colfax
- Greenfield
- Guthrie Center
- Indianola
- Marshalltown
- Newton
- Osceola
- Oskaloosa
- State Center
- West Des Moines
You can visit communities anytime — but living here lets you truly experience them. For a full list of Main Street communities in the state of Iowa, visit Mainstreet.org.
Explore your next steps with these resources:
Find Your Place in Greater DSM
Place the welcome mat and step into your first home in a DSM Main Street Community. Request a free relocation guide to learn more about the region or reach out to a MVP with questions.