DesMoines neighborhoods (Des Moines, Luther: apartments, crime rates, home)

[xz2y]

Are there areas to avoid in DesMoines? I've seen some nice apartments listed in the city but have no idea what areas to avoid and what areas are nice (safe). I'd love to consider living in the city and enjoy the cultural amenities and shopping, but don't want to get into seedy areas. Any suggestions?

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by xz2y

Are there areas to avoid in DesMoines? I've seen some nice apartments listed in the city but have no idea what areas to avoid and what areas are nice (safe). I'd love to consider living in the city and enjoy the cultural amenities and shopping, but don't want to get into seedy areas. Any suggestions?

It's kind of hard to exactly pinpoint the seedy neighborhoods in Des Moines. There's a good sized area around Martin Luther King and Forest Ave and little pockets here and there scattered around the city. If you were to post addresses, I could be more specific.

[xz2y]

Originally Posted by El Rhino

It's kind of hard to exactly pinpoint the seedy neighborhoods in Des Moines. There's a good sized area around Martin Luther King and Forest Ave and little pockets here and there scattered around the city. If you were to post addresses, I could be more specific.

How is 101 Second Avenue? I assume this is a downtown address. Thanks for any help you can provide.

[Iowagirl566]

101 2nd Ave is about half a block from Court Ave, where there are many trendy bars and restaurants. Nearby places include the Civic Center(live music and theater) Simon Eastes Amphitheater(live music), Saturday Farmers Market, Principal Park(baseball), Science Center, and a new ice skating rink. Also a half a block away is the Des Moines River. In the 16 years I've lived in the area it has flooded twice, 1993 & 2008. I went down to that area today and the water line was about 2 feet high on the building at 101 Court Ave(the building just to the north). It is a nice new building. One last thing, there is a train track just to the south of the building. I don't know how ofter trains go thru.

[xz2y]

Thanks, Iowagirl. Are things getting cleaned up in Des Moines or is it too early to visit. I need to go and look at apartments before the end of June. I'd love to live downtown, though I realize that flooding may be a risk in the future.

[mebsdad]

Originally Posted by xz2y

Thanks, Iowagirl. Are things getting cleaned up in Des Moines or is it too early to visit. I need to go and look at apartments before the end of June. I'd love to live downtown, though I realize that flooding may be a risk in the future.

I can't speak to the future (i.e., flooding), but everything weathered the latest storm just fine (except for a few areas in north DSM). I wouldn't be hesitant to come back and take a look. My wife and I are from Omaha, NE originally and while we still think of that as home (go Huskers), I can't imagine living anywhere else. Downtown really didn't suffer much from the latest round of flooding and I don't think that you should take it off of the list, IMO.

[xz2y]

Originally Posted by mebsdad

I can't speak to the future (i.e., flooding), but everything weathered the latest storm just fine (except for a few areas in north DSM). I wouldn't be hesitant to come back and take a look. My wife and I are from Omaha, NE originally and while we still think of that as home (go Huskers), I can't imagine living anywhere else. Downtown really didn't suffer much from the latest round of flooding and I don't think that you should take it off of the list, IMO.

I appreciate the feedback!

[dmguy30]

I think anything Downtown and to the west is great in Des Moines. Neighborhoods such as Sherman Hill, Ingersoll-Grand Avenues (south of I-235) and areas to the west of Drake are great places for apartments. One of the best things about it is that they are CENTRAL to the entire metro. You can be pretty much anywhere in 15 minutes.

About Downtown, the only water damage to this area came from backed up sewer lines. I wouldn't fret about living down there. If you want to be extra cautious, just live above the 1st floor! Downtown (including the East Village) gets better and better every year. I love it.

[CrazyHorsePete]

While Des Moines is not a particularly dangerous city, there are a few less desirable neighborhoods. As previously mentioned, they are difficult to pin down. These are not necessarily extremely dangerous areas (depending on what you're used to), but there tends to be somewhat higher crime rates in these areas. Burglar bars aren't necessary, but do use common sense (lock your doors at night, don't leave valuables in plain sight in your car).

"There's a good sized area around Martin Luther King and Forest Ave and little pockets here and there scattered around the city."

Very true. I don't live far from there myself. The River Bend neighborhood is usually considered the least desirable in Des Moines. This is immediately northwest of downtown, from 9th Street to 2nd Avenue (west of the Des Moines River), and from the Des Moines River to University Avenue. The worst flooding in Des Moines was along the river in this area due to a levee failure. Most other areas in the metro should be just fine.

Des Moines is a great city, very underrated for what it has to offer.