Looking for apartments -- Advice? (Des Moines, West Des Moines: rental, lofts, neighborhood)

[darko313]

Hey all. Just registered today. Based on a few of the older posts I've scavenged it seems like I should be looking for an apartment in any of the following--Sherman Hill, Downtown, Ingersoll Ave, Grand, East Village area, or Beaverdale.

Affordability of the apartments is pretty important. I'll be looking for myself and 1 other male my age (21). I'd like rent to be sub-$800, but can stretch my budget a little if need be. I'd like the area to be more on the artistic side, and musical happenings are a huge plus. Also would appreciate living near the more tolerant / liberal / youthful crowd. Any specific recommendations?

Also, any apartments in West Des Moines that you guys would recommend? Also considering moving there, but it's not my first choice. I want a more urban feel.

Thanks!

[Serious Conversation]

Downtown's apartments are mostly income restricted, even the nicer ones. Most of the complexes have an income ceiling of less than $31k for two people and not much more for two people, although this depends on the complex.

Unsubsidized housing is likely to be out of your price range downtown. Is this going to be two guys looking for a sub-$800/mo apartment? If so, that comes out to under $400 a person, excluding any utilities.

Sherman Hill, East Village, and Ingersoll put you just a few miles outside of the downtown core. Sherman Hill seems to have the most "urban" feel to it, while Ingersoll and East Village tend to have more bars, restaurants, etc.

When I moved back in March, I was seriously looking at downtown, but I didn't find much that wasn't income restricted. Pretty much everything downtown closes in the late afternoon except the restaurants. You'd be having to drive somewhere else to get groceries, do anything, etc. Downtown is being sold as the place to be, but it has a long way to go to being a fully sustaining neighborhood.

[duster1979]

Originally Posted by Emigrations

Downtown's apartments are mostly income restricted, even the nicer ones. Most of the complexes have an income ceiling of less than $31k for two people and not much more for two people, although this depends on the complex.

When we moved to the area in 2006 I found this to be true all over the metro. We eventually had to go to Huxley to find something that we liked and could afford that we didn't make too much to be eligible for. Fortunately I worked in Ankeny so the commute wasn't too bad.

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by Emigrations

Downtown's apartments are mostly income restricted, even the nicer ones. Most of the complexes have an income ceiling of less than $31k for two people and not much more for two people, although this depends on the complex.

That is really not correct. I don't know that this list includes all rental buidlings downtown (seems to be a bit short), but I think only Hubbel Tower and Rumbly are 100% income restricted buildings. Other's have a mixture of market rate and income restricted (e.g...Market Place Lofts, Metro Lofts), but the majority on this list are 100% market rate. Bottomline: it is not correct to say most are income restricted.

Living - Rent Here - Downtown Des Moines

That said, a recent news story indicates that occupancy downtown is at an incredible 98% downtown, so it is going to be tough going trying to find a place without moving very quickly:

No place to rent! Downtown occupancy hits 98 percent | Local News - KCCI Home

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by darko313

Hey all. Just registered today. Based on a few of the older posts I've scavenged it seems like I should be looking for an apartment in any of the following--Sherman Hill, Downtown, Ingersoll Ave, Grand, East Village area, or Beaverdale.

Affordability of the apartments is pretty important. I'll be looking for myself and 1 other male my age (21). I'd like rent to be sub-$800, but can stretch my budget a little if need be. I'd like the area to be more on the artistic side, and musical happenings are a huge plus. Also would appreciate living near the more tolerant / liberal / youthful crowd. Any specific recommendations?

Also, any apartments in West Des Moines that you guys would recommend? Also considering moving there, but it's not my first choice. I want a more urban feel.

Thanks!

If I was still a young buck like yourself, I'd look downtown first (including East Village) and if I couldn't find anything in my budget, I'd probably look at Sherman Hil, Grand Aven and Ingersoll areas next. They all offer you an urban feel without the higher expense, limited options that downtown currently offers.

I think you'd be fine in W DM. That is where I moved when I first moved to the metro and was happy with it. That said, I missed my window (now have family...not as flexible) to try a more urban living arrangement so now I'm left with "I wish I would have whe I had the chance...".

[tollfree]

It might be difficult to find one of the newer or renovated places, but it shouldn't too hard to find something at least close to downtown. This is Des Moines - not Manhattan.

[darko313]

Excellent advice--all of you! Still not late to throw your 2 cents in.