900 Keosauqua Way
Des Moines, IA

As Sarah Booz and Kyle Kirwan looked around their crumbling New York City apartment, they hatched a plan to leave the city. Though they loved the area's natural beauty, they felt isolated from its art scene 100 miles south. So, Kyle and Sarah began exploring their options and were wide open about where they might move, but never imagined they’d wind up in Iowa.

900 Keosauqua Way
Des Moines, IA

In their search for affordability, walkability and a place Kyle could have a separate studio space, they discovered Discovering Mainframe Studios in Des Moines. The colorful building is billed as the largest nonprofit creative workspace in the nation, and was “the clincher” to selecting Iowa's capital as their new home. Then, they conducted an apartment hunt with the help of Google Street View. Kyle applied for an affordable art space at Mainframe, and they signed a lease for a pet-friendly elevator building in Des Moines' Historic East Village.

900 Keosauqua Way
Des Moines, IA

Along with being the largest nonprofit creative workspace in the nation, Mainframe Studios also acts as Kyle and Sarah's second home and gives them something to brag about to friends and family back home. After exploring Des Moines, they've added the city's walkability, non-stop events, vibrant restaurants and extensive bike trails to their bragging list.

900 Keosauqua Way
Des Moines, IA

Read more about Sarah and Kyle's journey to Iowa (visit website). Or, plan your own move to Iowa (more details).