Moving to Des Moines (West Des Moines, Urbandale: houses, university, live in)

[sammy.t]

We may be moving to Des Moines in under a year and are looking for 4 bed 3 bath houses. While searching on line we have focused on West Des Moines, Clive, and Urbandale. We have two small kids. we want to be near a bike path since we enjoy biking and even though we don't live in Iowa now we have done Ragbrai together for years. To be close to the proximity of hubby's work we have really been focusing our search on University to the South, Greenbelt trail to the North, 109th to the west, 90th to the east. However from looking at the map this area seems like it would be way to busy and noisy. what is it like over there? We also been looking at urbandale west of the freeway by Douglas

[stacileigh]

Originally Posted by sammy.t

We may be moving to Des Moines in under a year and are looking for 4 bed 3 bath houses. While searching on line we have focused on West Des Moines, Clive, and Urbandale. We have two small kids. we want to be near a bike path since we enjoy biking and even though we don't live in Iowa now we have done Ragbrai together for years. To be close to the proximity of hubby's work we have really been focusing our search on University to the South, Greenbelt trail to the North, 109th to the west, 90th to the east. However from looking at the map this area seems like it would be way to busy and noisy. what is it like over there? We also been looking at urbandale west of the freeway by Douglas

I grew up in West Des Moines, Clive... back then there were awesome bike trails and a creek that ran next to them. They had summer programs in the greenbelt for the children and we would go tubing down the creek. Not sure what it is like now, but at that time, it was a perfect place to be a kid.

[jorstad]

Originally Posted by sammy.t

We may be moving to Des Moines in under a year and are looking for 4 bed 3 bath houses. While searching on line we have focused on West Des Moines, Clive, and Urbandale. We have two small kids. we want to be near a bike path since we enjoy biking and even though we don't live in Iowa now we have done Ragbrai together for years. To be close to the proximity of hubby's work we have really been focusing our search on University to the South, Greenbelt trail to the North, 109th to the west, 90th to the east. However from looking at the map this area seems like it would be way to busy and noisy. what is it like over there? We also been looking at urbandale west of the freeway by Douglas

we have a 2 yr old and 7 yr old we are moving there next year too

[Tek_Freek]

Interstate noise non stop. You are looking at an area that is next to the common path for both 35 and 80 where they pass Des Moines on the north and west sides, and it is always busy. If you look farther south past Ashworth and stay west of 60th it will be quieter.

When we moved here 23 years ago it was no big deal. Now it is a constant annoyance.

[elderstatesman]

I am a REALTOR here and live in West Des Moines near Windsor Heights. My suggestion is to stay about a mile north or south of freeway because noise is a factor. Great areas, though with wonderful young families in all of the locations you are looking.