swdave,
I hope everything plays out well for you and your family. I hope you find a suitable home to house everyone comfortably. I'm sure you'll find an inexpensive house out there.... at least from a Californian like myself, EVERYTHING outside Cali is inexpensive especially when it comes to GAS and ELECTRICITY 😛
KidT,
Like yourself, I can't wait to start.... Good luck in your apartment hunting. Try Windsor Terrace (3333 Grand Avenue - ~$570/mo) if you want to pay for the big bucks go to 3000 Grand Avenue where you'd have to pay ~$650-700/mo, but they have a swimming pool and gym (I think). My host during my interview pays $500/mo for a two bed (I can't seem to recall the name of the complex,sorry), he said most of the apartments in West Des Moines is relatively cheap. In other words, shop till you drop, bud.... GOOD LUCK!
Congratulations again, hope to see you folks there.