That said, I would never LIVE in Ames unless the only other option was moving back to Parkersburg. Ames is like living in Cedar Falls except there's no reason for Ames to exist other than ISU. Absolute definition of "land grant." You can get the same experience most of the time if you just buy a Sam's Club membership. Ample parking. The occasional senseless riot (Christmas/VEISHA), clean drinking water (Hurray for Ames!), food in bulk.