Where in north dsm metro can I find these things? (Des Moines: for sale, condos)

[concretegold]

Good parks

Good schools (public)

A decent commute (under 30 miles) to both ames (Iowa State) and Camp dodge in johnston/grimes

a good selection of solid 1950s+ homes for sale under 130k two plus bedrooms

not flood plain or what should to any reasonable person be a flood plain

low taxes

tax abatements a plus

[pepe1]

Originally Posted by concretegold

Good parks

Good schools (public)

A decent commute (under 30 miles) to both ames (Iowa State) and Camp dodge in johnston/grimes

a good selection of solid 1950s+ homes for sale under 130k two plus bedrooms

not flood plain or what should to any reasonable person be a flood plain

low taxes

tax abatements a plus

Most of the north metro and north surrounding communities have great public schools and most have good park/trail systems. Ankeny, Johnston, Polk City, Grimes, Huxley, Slater will all meet those criteria.

It will be difficult to meet any of your other criteria, however. All are dominated by newer housing with limited older housing stock - Finding any single family housing for less than 130 K will be a challenge. The north metro and north surrounding communities will have the highest property taxes in the metro (probably the entire state) and none offer residential tax abatement.

[capitalcityguy]

NW Des Moines proper might meet your needs. You're close to I-35/80 and in Johnston school district.

[Northern Traveler]

Ankeny - beautiful community, great schools, close to everything including Iowa State and Camp Dodge ... plenty of mid-century housing in central part of town.

(My favorite town in central Iowa ... very safe, very down to earth, growing, family friendly)

[Luke9686]

Ankeny and Polk City are really the only places that are under 30 miles to Ames. You should be able to find houses under $130K in those places. They have good schools and generally aren't in a flood plain. Iowa's property taxes are high though.

[Northern Traveler]

Originally Posted by pepe1

Huxley, Slater will all meet those criteria.

Huxley and Slater seem to be more small country towns ... not necesarilly part of the metro - not connected to the trails or freeways.

[pepe1]

Originally Posted by Luke9686

Ankeny and Polk City are really the only places that are under 30 miles to Ames. You should be able to find houses under $130K in those places. They have good schools and generally aren't in a flood plain. Iowa's property taxes are high though.

Houses less than 130K are hard to come by in Ankeny. And what few there are, usually have problems. Houses in Polk City are even higher priced than Ankeny. And to compound the price issue, Ankeny has among the highest property taxes in the metro (if not the highest).

Now if you're looking for a town home/condo - Whole different story. You can take your pick of condos/town homes for easily less than 130K.

[serate]

Altoona has alot of older homes for sale for under $130 and 2+ bedrooms. Was just looking online today. Not sure how far it's from Ames but it's 6 miles from Ankeny, if that, so if Ankeny is less than 30 miles just add 5 - 10 minutes.

[dmguy30]

The City of Des Moines offers 100% tax abatement on new construction for 5 years. I don't believe Ankeny offers residential tax abatement. I believe Altoona and Pleasant Hill do.

[Luke9686]

There are 9 houses listed for $130,000 and less matching the OP's criteria. Bump the search up to $140,000 and there are 17.

The OP said 1950's homes, so there are many in Ankeny and Polk city to chose from. It can be done.