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r/ames

▲ 424 r/ames+225 crossposts

Hi,
we’re four guys, and we’ve put together Westminster’s restaurant scene in an app called Vota. The concept is simple: you see two places side by side (for example Famille vs. Kachina Southwestern Grill), you choose the place you’d rather go to, and the ranking updates instantly. The more people vote, the more accurate the list gets over time. There are still a few duplicates here and there, but I’m continuously cleaning up the data.

Here’s the iPhone version, with categories that actually fit Westminster’s food scene:
https://apps.apple.com/app/vota-restaurant-ratings/id6744969212

And here’s the Android version (finally live):
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vota.app

P.S. I’m not from Westminster (I live in Gothenburg). I’m not collecting data, not selling anything, and the app does not use AI-generated content. I’m posting in a few different subreddits because we now support more regions, and I genuinely want honest feedback from people who actually know the area.

u/TheShynola — 1 day ago
▲ 54 r/ames+1 crossposts

Time to rise up against mass surveillance!

801 Day!

Anyone whose not already passed out by 4pm, show up and make some noise with us. Let's give Big Brother something to really watch!

Come get the tools you need to fight back 🛠✊️

u/RidingSpottedPigs — 22 hours ago
▲ 3 r/ames

What’s the job market like?

Thinking of moving out this way next year and just curious what the job market is like. I’d be looking for a full time job with benefits. I have a college degree and 15+ years of work experience, primarily in healthcare and customer service. I’m really hoping to move into a different field of work. I know the job market is not great in general, just curious how difficult people are finding it to change jobs, get interviews, change career fields, etc? TIA

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u/Appropriate-Apple905 — 1 day ago
▲ 5 r/ames

Serving jobs in Ames?

I am looking for restaurants that would be good places to serve/bartend. I have 4+ years of experience in the restaurant industry and after moving from my hometown and leaving the amazing serving job I was at for 4+ years, my current serving job (not in Ames) is just not a good place to work. I’m just looking for somewhere where the work atmosphere is enjoyable, and I’m not having to question if my tips are getting stolen🙃 any leads are appreciated!

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u/AlpsAggressive1169 — 2 days ago
▲ 0 r/ames+1 crossposts

Anyone else along Lincoln Way fed up with the loud cars?

I’m trying to organize residents along Lincoln Way around the repeated loud exhaust, revving, motorcycles, and apparent racing that you can hear from the apartments along the street.

I live at 2709 Lincoln Way. I asked RES Properties if I could put up a small flyer with a QR code for a resident survey. They first told me they don’t allow “third party flyers.” When I pointed out that I’m a resident, they clarified that they don’t allow flyers from residents either and suggested mailing something to every apartment instead.

So I’m reaching out to other apartment buildings along Lincoln Way instead, where management may be willing to let residents see the survey, and I’m looking for other ways to reach people in my own building that don’t violate RES’s posting policy.

If you live on or near Lincoln Way and deal with the same noise, especially at night, I’d like to hear from you. The idea is to gather responses from several buildings and take the issue to Ames Police, the City, Iowa State, and Student Government rather than having everyone complain on their own.

u/Cultural_Wash_475 — 3 days ago
▲ 13 r/ames

Update

County has taken this issue off of their agenda for the time being as it has been remanded to the sheriff’s office for more information before a ruling.

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u/syndagoaway — 2 days ago
▲ 52 r/ames

Story County Flock cameras granted "unauthorized access"

Story County is reconsidering having Flock AI cameras (automatic license plate readers) because of privacy and security concerns after cases of unauthorized access. The county board of supervisors meets tomorrow (Tuesday). Let them know if you have concerns at lmurken@storycountyiowa.gov, lfaisal@storycountyiowa.gov, and lheddens@storycountyiowa.gov. https://who13.com/news/iowa-news/unauthorized-access-of-flock-camera-data-released-in-story-county-contract-renewal-discussed/

u/Hopeful-Geologist-30 — 3 days ago
▲ 8 r/ames

Apartment Help

is there anything in ames that helps people get housing/apartments? I just got a job there and live 40 minutes away (me and my bf) and dont have the money to move yet but im scared that when i do have the money nothing will be available…

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u/No_Paint9929 — 3 days ago
▲ 23 r/ames

Last week’s Council Notes and Doodles

Last week’s notes and doodles. Doodles for a roundabout at GW Carver and Cameron School Rd, a dog run for Animal Services, and a golf cart. Thanks for looking!

u/ewe_tell_me — 3 days ago
▲ 2 r/ames

Lefse without potatoes?

I was introduced to lefse made without potatoes years ago by Norwegian family, but can’t find it anywhere. Any tips?

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u/littleoldlady71 — 4 days ago
▲ 6 r/ames

A march on grand?

Did anyone else see a group of people holding up flags and walking down the sidewalk on grand? I ae an American flag and that was all I could make out. Just curious if anyone saw it as well or knows what's going on!

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u/Glittering-Cake6843 — 5 days ago
▲ 6 r/ames

Good Property Management Companies

Hi all! I was wondering about if you know about some good property management companies in Ames, specifically ones that have houses or townhomes for rent. My boyfriend will be moving in with me next year and I’m already getting started on the hunt for good property managers and potential places to live. I currently live in a small one bedroom owned by West End Living and while I like it here and think West End Living is a decent property management company my apartment unfortunately does not have enough room for all my stuff plus his stuff and we will need a bigger place. Preferably we don’t want a two bedroom apartment since my boyfriend has been renting a house in a small town for years now and doesn’t want to move back to apartment living (fair enough). We also preferably want someone who will let us move in on an off season (as in, not August 1st and preferably early July) and who is pet friendly as we will have a cat with us. Any recommendations are appreciated!

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u/luckyy716 — 7 days ago
▲ 2 r/ames

Pallet jack rental

So menards, lowes, uhaul don't seem to rent out pallet jacks or forklifts. I need to move two pallets of bricks 20 feet and would rather not do it the backbreaking hard way. Does anyone know of a place that rents those things in town?

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u/redburr — 5 days ago
▲ 7 r/ames

Looking for macro photography hiking buddy

Just want to find someone around my age (28) to take pictures with. I go for walks almost daily all over Ames looking for insects to take pictures of. Tired of doing it alone. Maybe enough people reply that we could even do a monthly group hike or something idk.

Anyway yeah message if interested. I’m super easy to get along with, just tell me when and where you want to meet and we could be taking pics together in a few hours :)

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u/immahumanyo — 5 days ago
▲ 22 r/ames

Horrible Experience with the Jensen Group

Has anyone else had a horrible experience with the Jensen group? My partner and I were renting at Bricktowne, and we found out all of a sudden that you can't sublease anymore, forcing us to pay the buy-out option. They never notified us.

Then, after leaving, they racked up fictitious charges, like needed painting jobs and cleaning, even if the apartment was left in good condition with paint in normal wear and tear.

Moreover, we could basically never use our terrace after all of the emails, and the grill became useless.

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u/Final-Appearance8304 — 8 days ago
▲ 5 r/ames

Need 2 people to help move a very heavy cabinet upstairs — $60 cash total

EDIT: Got it taken care of — thanks everyone!

Looking for 2 people to help move a heavy cabinet into my third-floor apartment in Ames.

The cabinet is already loaded in my SUV. It’s about 60" × 20" × 30" with several metal drawers, and I’ll be helping with the move as well. I’ve attached a photo of the cabinet for reference.

I expect it to take around 30–40 minutes.

$60 cash total ($30 per person). If it ends up taking substantially longer than expected, I’m happy to pay extra.

I can also pick up both helpers in Ames if needed since I have two passenger seats available.

Preferably sometime today/this evening. Please DM me if interested.

u/Past_Gap8664 — 8 days ago
▲ 21 r/ames+2 crossposts

I have an extra ticket to the Phoebe Bridgers planetarium experience

I bought two tickets to the pre-release album listening experience at the Science Center of Iowa planetarium. Custom visuals, it should be absolutely sick. Link here: https://planetariumexperience.phoebebridgers.com.

EDIT: these are for Thursday at 5:35pm!

The person who was going to come with me bailed, and I don’t want there to be an empty seat on my behalf.

If you’re in the Des Moines area and want to go to the show DM me. I can just meet you at the doors and we can walk in together so they can scan both tickets. Just pay me $20 (purchase price of single ticket) either cash or Venmo when we meet up. Happy to just get you in, then we can split up if you have other friends to go with (I’m not looking for a +1!).

DM me if interested!

u/Dry_Nail9897 — 8 days ago
▲ 6 r/ames+1 crossposts

Looking for Studio or 1-Bed Apartment for Spring 2027 <$900/mo

Hey everyone! I’m an ISU graduate student looking to take over a Spring 2027 relet/sublease (or sign a custom lease) for a studio or 1-bedroom apartment starting January 1, 2027.

What I’m Looking For

Layout: Studio or 1-Bedroom / 1-Bathroom (Private unit only, no shared rooms)

  1. Budget: Up to $900/month (flexible depending on utilities)

  2. Move-In Date: January 1, 2027 (open to late December 2026 move-in)

  3. Term: Spring 2027 (Jan – July 2027), with an option/willingness to extend through December 2027 if available

Must-Have Amenities

  1. In-Unit Washer & Dryer (Non-negotiable)

  2. Convenient Commute to Engineering buildins: West Ames (Mortensen, Twain, Dickinson, etc.) or Campustown preferred

  3. Fully equipped kitchen (refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave, and dishwasher).

About Me

I’m a responsible, quiet ISU graduate student in engineering. Non-smoker, no pets, clean, and reliable with rent payments.

If you are graduating in December 2026, studying abroad, or looking for someone to take over your West Ames or Campustown studio/1-bed lease for Spring 2027, please send me a DM with the location, monthly rent/utilities, and photos!

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u/Long_Page_8889 — 9 days ago