Bozeman vs. Des Moines, Part Deux

Beer:
Bozeman: Montana has the 2nd highest brewery per capita in the nation (I think that's the right stat.)
Des Moines: Peace Tree. And way lots more bars not filled with college students.

I suppose I'm comparing two different things here. I love all the craft and local brews in Bozeman and in Montana. Every bar has something local on tap, and there are two brewery tasting rooms within walking distance of my house. I don't think I ever went to a brewery in Des Moines (though apparently in the mere eight months I've been gone, at least two have opened up.) I'm sure there are a few, I just never went.

But, I like the bars more in Des Moines - primarily the ones with patios - El Bait Shop and in between the Royal Mile and the Muse. Or The Lift. There's more, though then I get in to restaurant range (The Continental, for example) and then things really start to get confusing. It just seems much more casual in Des Moines, and much more college student filled in Bozeman. I just haven't found a bar that I would want to hang in for very long, minus trivia night at Colonel Black's, but that's really just because I'm a nerd.

Winner: Beer - Bozeman, Bars - Des Moines

Coffee Shops:
Bozeman: Lots. And home of way too many drive through stands in parking lots.
Des Moines: Mars Cafe. Need I say more?

This is actually a hard one for me to judge - I rarely drink coffee. So I have to judge more on atmosphere, and what I do more frequently drink: Chai lattes. The Rockford here in Bozeman has amazing Chais. And I like Zocalo a lot, primarily because they do something human right related with money (clearly, this is very important to me.)

But I miss Mars and Zanzibars. Mars is one of the few places I will actually get something coffee based on occasion.

Here's what my Bozeman friends on Facebook said (minus Jill, who was confused.)

Winner: Seriously, don't ask me.

Music Scene:
Bozeman: If you like bluegrass/folk, there's something for you (which, I do.)
Des Moines: There's venues! And some national acts!

I never thought I'd tire of bluegrassy/folk music, but if I stayed in Bozeman, I could see it happening. But we do have this great event every Thursday during the summer called Music on Main. Main Street shuts down in the evening, and there's a different band playing every week. (And free beer, if that's your thing.) I'm looking forward to that once summer is finally here again.

Des Moines can actually attract some decent bands, and some really big shows too. I was always too cheap to go to most of it, but I did listen to Spoon once from my porch. I think the biggest thing here has been Yonder Mountain (hey look, another bluegrass-y band!) Not that there's a problem with that.

Winner: Des Moines

Des Moines vs. Bozeman

As I have been here in Bozeman for eight months now, I would like to offer some comparisons between Bozeman and Des Moines. I think I may have done something similar when I first moved here, but that was probably a bit rash.

Size:

Bozeman: 37,000+

Des Moines (proper): 250,000+

I suppose this depends on your perspective, is more people better, or worse? I like the size of Bozeman, it's a nice size enough size (especially with the University) so that I don't feel like I live in the boonies, but it's still small. Des Moines is also a nice size, offering more diversity (of all stripes) because of said size, but it's still a small enough city that there are plenty of opportunities. 

Winner: I call this one a wash. I like both.

Food:

Bozeman: The best food I've had is at the Co-op sandwich bar. It was delicious.

Des Moines: La Mie. Zombie Burger. A Dong's. Centro. The Cheese Shop. Anywhere with sushi.

To be fair, I don't eat out much in Bozeman, my budget doesn't really allow for it. But  what I have had, hasn't been all that impressive. Minus that sandwich from the Co-op - that was amazing. But there are many days when I miss La Mie something fierce.

Winner: Des Moines - easily.

Biking:

Bozeman: On an average two mile commute, I'll see anywhere from 10-20 bikers

Des Moines: On an average one mile commute, I usually would see 1-2

This is also a hard one to decide. I think the college here, and being in a much smaller town influences the biking culture a lot. It's a huge part of it, and there seems to be a lot less push back from non-bikers. But does that make it a better biking town? There are very few paved trails here, so I'm almost always in a bike lane or on the road. 

Winner: It's also a wash.

Architecture:

This is hard to compare as well, Des Moines has more distinguishable neighborhoods with historic significance, but Bozeman does much better at making their new homes interesting, instead of cookie-cutter copies of each other. Not that I still want to live in a new home; but at least they look interesting. 

Winner: Wash.

Weather:

Bozeman: Summer and Winter

Des Moines: Four distinct seasons

Fun fact that I didn't realize when I was young - EVERYONE says "If you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes." I thought it was just a midwest thing. Nope. Everyone says it. It's weather. It changes.

Now Bozeman does have four seasons, but from my experience, and what has been confirmed by folks who have been here longer is that Spring and Fall are pretty short. Plus, there are a lot less trees that change colors here as well as maples. So Bozeman lacks a super beautiful fall. HOWEVER, it has the best summer. People complain when it hits 90 during the day - which, I suppose is warm. But when there's no humidity, and it cools off to 55 every night, so no houses have air conditioning, and I just moved from Iowa where it's over 100 degrees during the day, well, I think it's fabulous. As are run-on sentences.

As for the winter in Bozeman, I would say the only difference is that its longer than Des Moines. And dryer. Which really does make a difference - I can just brush the snow off my car and go. Shoveling? What's that? I can just brush it away with a broom. Naturally, this is brutal on my skin, but easy-peasy for snow removal purposes.

Winner: Depends on my mood. And the season. Bozeman wins summer. Des Moines wins for complete seasons.

Scenery:

Bozeman: Four miles to the mountains from my door step.

Des Moines: Rolling hills. Sometimes.

Don't get me wrong, I love the plains of the midwest, and appreciate their beauty. But MOUNTAINS. So much more epic.

Winner: Bozeman.

Soil:

Bozeman: Alkaline soil

Des Moines: Nice soil.

I won't get into it too much, because it's really, really nerdy. But I didn't know how good I had it gardening in Des Moines.

Winner: Des Moines

Shopping:

Bozeman: No sales tax

Des Moines: Variety

No sales tax is nice. I'm sure there's more variety in Des Moines. But I don't shop much either place. Though Bozeman does have some amazing thrift shops, thanks to the University.

Winner: Today, I'd say Bozeman. But, meh.

So, there's my point-by-point analysis. Are there other things I should compare between the two?