Finally in West Des Moines and settling in!! (Ankeny, Johnston: new home, high school)

[mrs_moby73]

Hey everyone. Just wanted to stop in and let you all know that we are finally in our house here in WDM. We officially moved in just a few days ago so things are still pretty chaotic! Thank you all so much for all the great advice you gave over the last few months. It was a tremendous help! Hopefully you won't mind helping out over the next few months as we really get settled in and I have more questions. Soon I will be so native that I'll be able to answer when other people need help!

[mofford]

I was just about to get out my eraser to see if I could rub off that spot on your profile that says Location: California, and change it to Location: Iowa, but I don't want to smudge my screen. Just kidding, take your time, it's only 11 o'clock, you still have a hour or so to change it before the day has passed.

[Luke9686]

Why did you end up settling on West Des Moines instead of the others? They are all pretty much the same.

[mofford]

They were going to pick Johnston but I think her hubby started thinking about his drive to work at the airport everyday, and changed their plans. Probably liked the shopping better in WDM too. Johnston has Merle Hay, but WDM has Jordon Creek, Valley West, ect and Valley High School is about the best it gets for Iowa.

I would of picked Norwalk because it's close to the airport, but I imagine they will be very happy in WDM.

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by Luke9686

Why did you end up settling on West Des Moines instead of the others? They are all pretty much the same.

Your comment seems to suggest that commute time isn't a consideration.

I think she covered their reasoning for W DSM in the other thread. As I recall it was commute time that made the difference and I applaud them for considering how even smaller amounts of time add up when you start considering that over months and years (in both time and fuel).

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by mofford

They were going to pick Johnston but I think her hubby started thinking about his drive to work at the airport everyday, and changed their plans. Probably liked the shopping better in WDM too. Johnston has Merle Hay, but WDM has Jordon Creek, Valley West, ect and Valley High School is about the best it gets for Iowa.

I would of picked Norwalk because it's close to the airport, but I imagine they will be very happy in WDM.

Unless you desire small town living, and many don't, W DSM is the easy choice over Norwalk.

[mofford]

Yeah, Norwalk might be kind of a drastic change from California. Johnston has alot going for it with saylorville so close by, but it lacks the shopping they have in WDM. I honestly think the Merle Hay Mall area is in a state of slow decline. Perhaps down the road Johnston and Ankeny might develope a plan for a new mall and upscale shopping along 66th south of the cottonwood recreation area, between the two suburbs.

[mrs_moby73]

You all basically have it right. Even if my husband gets to spend a few extra minutes with our kiddos, the location will be worth it! I was actually open to Norwalk, but my husband wanted to live somewhere a little less "sleepy". Thus far, WDM seems like a really good fit. We have been able to get pretty much anything we need in the Jordan Creek area or by taking a very short drive to the Super Target over at I-35. Small town atmosphere with big town amenities...I couldn't ask for more!

[mofford]

Location: Iowa

Welcome Mrs. Moby, hope you enjoy your new home. Don't let the march weather scare you, warm spring days are just around the corner.

[DSMGuy]

Welcome to WDM! It was actually quite sunny here until these last few days. It will get better.