What do you think of OAKWOOD or ALPINE Apartments in AMES? (Somers: low income, sublet)

[IowaBoundinMay]

We're are looking to relocate sometime in May. My husband and I and our 1 year old daughter. We are looking at either of this apartment complexes we named above. We've searched apartment ratings but we seem to get conflicting feedbacks. Any input you can provide will be very much appreciated. We are also open to suggestions if you have another apartment complex in mind that you can personally vouch for. Thank you.

[barefoot_iowa_hippie]

I don't get out much, but from reading the local news, police reports, etc., Ames seems to be going way downhill from when I remember it. STAY AWAY from east Ames unless you don't mind living around lowlives and crooks. But I guess people still feel relatively safe here. It's weird (and very stupid in my opinion) but I do an early morning paper route, and SO MANY of the houses along my route leave their garage doors WIDE OPEN. I personally would advise against being so trusting in Ames as a lot of the crimes I read about are property crimes.

So in short, stay away from east ames, and probably the downtown area too. Try the south, way out west close to the university, or the north if you have the money. Good luck, as I will be leaving ames just as you are arriving, and I am STOKED!

[Maria_Ames]

Ames is fine. I live downtown and it is perfectly safe. There is a tiny low income housing complex on east 7th that is highly monitored by police. Some people have no tolerance for those who are less fortunate than themselves. Some african americans have moved to Ames and so some white people are having panic attacks...don't worry most people here are very welcoming to minorities. I have noticed no change in my quality of life and Ames is a great place for a child. Also there is a park on 6th street called brookside that has a wading pool for toddlers for a dollar in the summer...your daughter will love it. Ames also has a really good international population. The public library is a great place to meet other international families. You should feel very comfortable here. The downtown is a really friendly area and you should stay away from alpine and oakwood. Anything in west ames is overrun by students. Somerset is a good choice if you can afford to live there and an easy drive to Iowa State. Check out Ames, IA Apartments and Houses for Rent, Local Apartment and Home Rentals, House, Townhome, and Condo Rentals, Vacation Rentals, Roommate and Sublet Classifieds :: Search Results - Page 1 for somerset apartments and townhomes.