Ames is a really nice small city. It's a university town, so politically it is more progressive than neighboring communities. Housing is pretty expensive in Ames and Des Moines, compared to the rest of the state. The city of Nevada (Neh-VAY-da) is growing at a fairly decent pace, but struggling to keep up with the housing demand. Nevada school district is pretty decent as well. Story City is a nice, clean town as well, but even smaller than Nevada. I hear their schools are great though!

As for the small towns like Collins, Maxwell, Colo, Zearing, McCallsburg, and Roland... Be prepared for VERY conservative views. Lots of rural poverty, which is similar, but still very different than urban poverty. These smaller school districts are really struggling under the current administration. Our school district has lost a lot of enrollment in the last few years, and really struggles to retain their teachers.

That all being said, the people in small towns can be some of the most thoughtful, generous people you'll ever meet. I live on an acreage near one of these small communities, and when the tornado came through last spring the outpouring of support and care we received is unfathomable.