Best suburb of Des Moines? (West Des Moines, Urbandale: housing, rent, high school)

[thoreau123]

We're looking for a short commute but affordable housing, good schools, outside Des Moines.

[metro223]

IMO Ankeny.

[SharpHawkeye]

Could you be a little more specific? Like for example, when you say "outside Des Moines" and "short commute". Because people from L.A. would probably define "short commute" differently than people from Nebraska. The same goes for affordable housing...affordable all depends on your frame of reference.

[dubuqueaskme]

IMO, Urbandale.

[Luke9686]

Actually most suburbs fit your description. Urbandale pays less in property tax. Clive is the more expensive. West Des Moines and Ankeny are exploding in growth.

You would have to provide a lot more specifics to get a good answer.

[HeneryHawk]

Ottumwa, IA

[dubuqueaskme]

Originally Posted by HeneryHawk

Ottumwa, IA

Are you kidding? I hope so. Ottumwa, I have always thought, is not all that great, at all. One of the worst cities in Iowa in my humble opinion; not to mention that it is over an hour away from Des Moines, I believe.

I would recommend Urbandale, and Ankeny. I have heard schools there are the best in state, and that the cities in general are very nice.

But, so is West Des Moines, and so are Clive, Adel, Waukee, Grimes, Norwalk, and I also like Perry and Pella, although they are a little further.

IN General, the whole Des Moines metropolitan area is great. One of the best metros in the country-- low crime, family values, little, friendly towns, good shopping, good entertainment, good restaraunts in DM for a city of less than 200K...

The DSM has it all.

[cyberflute]

Urbandale is completing a brand new high school building in the next year. I've lived in Urbandale for over 20 years and I love it.

Johnston and Ankeny are booming.

[iaborn42]

Winterset is a nice little town, about 25-30 minutes from the southwest side of DM

[Ervserver]

I've always liked Johnston, very quiet community