Des Moines suburbs and schools (Ankeny, Altoona: housing, traffic, school district)

[SharpHawkeye]

Or Jordan Creek....bleech...

[Chicago60614]

I was under the impression the west side of Des Moines - like from 40th street west, and the eastern sides of West Des Moines and Urbandale were pretty decent.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

I was under the impression the west side of Des Moines - like from 40th street west, and the eastern sides of West Des Moines and Urbandale were pretty decent.

They are. The eastern side of WDM (Valley Junction) isn't bad, it just a little older and run-down compared to the rest of WDM. The area doesn't have high crime or anything, it's just a regular blue collar neighborhood. I hear that at Valley High they refer to people from this area as "Junction Trash". It just seems like an average neighborhood on the South Side though.

[Chicago60614]

^ yeah, from what I've heard of Valley students, a lot of them like to think that

Valley High = Orange County.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

^ yeah, from what I've heard of Valley students, a lot of them like to think that

Valley High = Orange County.

Pretty much, and Valley Junction would be the Fullerton.


The funny thing about West Des Moines is that a lot of those people out there really aren't that rich. Sure they may have a nice, big house but they're completely strapped for cash making the large mortgage payment, the lease on the SUV and so-on. A lot of those people seem to live paycheck to paycheck but will turn their noses up at someone from Des Moines who probably has a similar income and an actual net worth.

[simply1]

I agree that if schools are important, you'll want to avoid most of the Des Moines schools. The western suburbs all have good systems, Pleasant Hill or Altoona may fight some of what you're looking for too, but I don't know a lot of those areas. Valley Junction area also has good access to the bus system, as limited as the system is on a whole. There are commuter express routes that you can check out on the DART website which operate pretty nicely, but have limited runs.

There is also a downtown school that seems to do well, but I don't know a lot beyond that either, maybe someone else can comment on it.

[dmguy30]

I'd like to add that the schools in the neighborhoods west of Downtown (Ingersoll-South of Grand-North of Grand-Beaverdale) are great. The schools that I have had experience with have all been exceptional. DMPS does a great job for an urban district. With the new renovations that have taken place, the schools are in the best shape they have been in years. I can't speak for the schools in the other areas of the city, but I'm sure most of them are good as well.

These areas also have housing that has a lot of character (with varied architecture), along with a wide price range. You won't find cookie cutter homes in these neighborhoods.

I think the best point about living in these areas is convenience. Your are literally in the center of the metro here. I live near 35th/Ingersoll and I can be anywhere in the metro within 15 minutes (5 minutes to Downtown).

I'm sure if you drove around in these areas and walked into the schools, you'll find it is exactly what you are looking for.

[little ol' me]

Everyone is directing you to the west side and the western suburbs of course. That is the mentality of Polk County these days. The western part of Polk County is exploding with cookie cutter neighborhoods. There are a lot of people who think they can't live in the big bad city proper or have their kids go to those tough city schools. So much of that is an excuse to live in the suburbs. Stay involved in your childrens' schools and whatever school they go to will be fine wherever it is.

There are great neighborhoods on the east and south sides of Des Moines in the city limits, too. The real estate people will never tell you that - especially if you have school age children. They will shoo you to a suburb, especially on the west side, for sure. But come, drive around all of the metro area if you can, and see for yourself. You can get more house for your money if you look on the east/south part of Des Moines and the people are very nice. Commuting is easier from east to west because the west side of the county is where the majority of new housing and population is and the freeway can't keep up during rush hour.

[Chris19]

I understand that Ankeny, to the north, is a good area with some working class, middle class and high income folks and has decent schools. Ankeny is growing rapidly according to my brother who lives there.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by little ol' me

Everyone is directing you to the west side and the western suburbs of course. That is the mentality of Polk County these days. The western part of Polk County is exploding with cookie cutter neighborhoods. There are a lot of people who think they can't live in the big bad city proper or have their kids go to those tough city schools. So much of that is an excuse to live in the suburbs. Stay involved in your childrens' schools and whatever school they go to will be fine wherever it is.

There are great neighborhoods on the east and south sides of Des Moines in the city limits, too. The real estate people will never tell you that - especially if you have school age children. They will shoo you to a suburb, especially on the west side, for sure. But come, drive around all of the metro area if you can, and see for yourself. You can get more house for your money if you look on the east/south part of Des Moines and the people are very nice. Commuting is easier from east to west because the west side of the county is where the majority of new housing and population is and the freeway can't keep up during rush hour.

While this is all true, he/she did ask about the suburbs and that's why we're talking suburbs.