Moving to Ankeny or Johnston from NJ (Des Moines, West Des Moines: property taxes, home)

[the6ofus]

Hello all- I've been enjoying reading all the posts about the great state where I was born and raised. I currently live in NJ- been here for 17 years. My husband may be taking a job in Iowa and I need some infomation. We are looking into Ankeny or Johnston areas due to the school systems for our 3 kids. I would appreciate any infomation anyone has that lives there, lived there- has kids going to or gone to school there. What's it like living there? I grew up in DM and left in 1989 to come to NJ. I know it's changed there (i.e.- new neighborhoods, malls, highways...) but I would like a feel for those areas.

Thanks so much-

[DSMGuy]

I am not in either of those two districts you mention, but I've heard a lot of good things about them and they are fast growing. I believe Ankeny is building or is considering a second high school.

There are people from these districts you are interested in at absolutedsm.com. I suggest posting there for more information.

After 17 years, you will be amazed at the changes here!

[the6ofus]

Thanks DSMGuy! I will give that site a visit.

[Luke9686]

Des Moines has changed a lot since 89. I have been gone for about 5 years now. Every time I go home to visit family, it seems something new is being built. Last time I visited my parents in Pleasant Hill, there was a whole new subdivision that wasn't there the last time. The are has grown and done good things, but the atmosphere is pretty much unchanged since you have left. Still the same old Des Moines, which is a good thing I think.

Both of the places you listed are great communities. I would rather pick living in Johnston though due to the access of all the west side ammenities. The western suburbs have grown tremendously since you left. I wouldn't worry about the commute if I were you, especially comming from New Jersey. It would take no longer than 30-40 minutes to get anywhere in the DSM Metro from either of those places. About 20 minutes to downtown. I live in Cali and the traffic in DSM is a joke compared to here.

Hope this helps

[Poolman]

I really think you should look into Urbandale. I have lived there for over 40 years. And of the three Ankeny, Johnston, and Urbandale I think Urbandale has a higher rating of the schools and is honestly a more small town environment but right next to Des Moines. The school is rated 8th in the state. Ankeny and Johnston have outgrown their schools and are growing at such a fast rate I would question sending my children to either of those schools. As far as change it is amazing how much Des Moines has changed and a lot of culture added to the city. Hope this helps.

[the6ofus]

Thanks Poolman, I will look into Urbandale. I used to have relatives that lived there so I'm somewhat familiar with the area- of course that's many years ago too. I probably wouldn't even recognize it now. Personally, I'm just concerned with the schools. If it were just my husband and myself, I would be happy moving anywhere in Iowa. Now that I have 3 kids- I'm looking at their best interest in going to a good school. It does look like Urbandale has pretty good schools as does West Des Moines. I guess Ankeny and Johnston lured me due to new developments. If anyone has any other input about Urbandale- I would be grateful. It also looks like property taxes aren't too bad and you get a little more for your money there.

[Tek_Freek]

has really changed. To the south of what we used to consider "Ankeny", on Delaware, there has been an amazing boom in businesses. The city is growing rapidly and has a good infrastructure. The commute to DSM or WDM is not too bad, they are improving the freeway in DSM considerably and the project will be done in a couple of years. Right now there are three lanes from Ankeny to the mixmaster NE of DSM and that area is being rebuilt. I think it will eventually be three lanes all the way to downtown DSM.

We looked at Pleasant Hill when we considered both our moves and probably would have moved there if access would have been better. They talked about running light rail out there years (25 or so) ago and I wish they would have. Of course it doesn't matter so much any more since Pleasant Hill has about anything you want close. The South Bypass helped too. Nice area. Hop skip and jump to Prairie Meadows if you like to gamble.

[Specialneedsteacher]

I just moved back from Bayridge Brooklyn New York about a year ago. I was in the NY area for about 6 years, I loved it. I can understand wanting a different place to raise you children. Ankeny is great. I am a special needs teacher in Adel Iowa... however I go to ankeny and Johnston quite a bit. I would recommend Ankeny over Johnston. Ankeny is a little safer I think. I taught at hoover last year and it was very rough. I loved the diversity at hoover however because there are such issues here with racism it was the biggest school for gangs etc. In New york people are just people because the diversity is evenly distributed. Here ... not so much;. White people and more white people... so the people of different races tend to be on defense alot which with all the closed minded old school views I can understand. Are you ready to get out of the city or will you be sad to leave? What do you or your husband do for a living? Well just thought I would drop you a line and give you my opinion... any questions feel free to let me know.

[the6ofus]

Thanks to all replies and info.