Question on West Des Moines area (Waukee, Adel: housing, work, schools)

[SnowCrash7]

I am considering a position in West Des Moines. Have no idea where I'd live yet. I've been to the Des Moines area a number of times and always liked the area. However I was shocked to check the crime stats for West Des Moines.....twice the national average for property crimes and a high violent crime rate.

What is that all about?

Is this concentrated in certain less desirable neighborhoods? If you are living outside of town in the country is there still cause for concern?
Would appreciate any thoughts on this.

Thanks in advance.
Gerry

[Tek_Freek]

I have no idea where you got your information, but it's dead wrong.

Since you're posting on City Data why don't you go to the stats page for West Des Moines (not Des Moines) and look for yourself?

I live here and have been in the area all my life. West Des Moines is one of the safest areas to live in in the entire nation.

[SnowCrash7]

I cant find what i was looking at and the stats I am bringing up now show that you are correct. My bad and apologies. What I saw was a violent crime index that was 48% higher than the national average and property crime index twice the national average.

As I said as I've been there a number of times I was stunned to read that. Glad I am wrong about it.

[Tek_Freek]

If you're looking at Wells Fargo you will find plenty of housing and apartments close and available in quite a range of prices.

In general the farther west you get (newer) the higher the prices. Most of Wells Fargo is west, either along the interstate corridor or by the Jordan Creek mall. Ypou can also go farther west to Waukee or Adel and find lower pricing with a longer drive, but not too much longer.

Good luck to you.

On a side note: After all my posturing about safety we spent the day yesterday with a masssive manhunt in progress. Ten schools were locked down and residents in the area were told to stay inside and lock their doors. Since I don't watch news that much I was out back working on the deck wondering what the heck was up with the airplanes and helicopters flying around all day. This was a rarity and the guy lived out west somewhere. He and another guy drove to this area (being chased by police) and and did a jump-and-run. Caught one, still looking for the other.