Moving to West Des Moines area (Urbandale, Ankeny: middle-class, homeowners association, townhomes)

[T&CMOM]

My family and I are moving to the West Des Moines area. I am looking at the Glen Oaks neighborhood. Does anyone have any opinions good, bad or other about the neighborhood?

[ElleTea]

//www.city-data.com/neighborhoo...Moines-IA.html

[capitalcityguy]

I've owned a townhome in Glen Oaks for about a dozen years. I lived there the first couple and have rented it out for last decade so I have some experience with the neighborhood. Here are my general thoughts.

Location is great. You are right off of I-35 and only 5 minutes away from I-80 so you can head anywhere quickly. Downtown is only 20 minutes away. A lot of nearby shopping, restaurants, entertainment (some of it very walkable or via bike). Two new hospitals within 10 minute drive as well as many medical clinics. Convenient access to airport as well.

There is one main master homeowners association (Glen Oaks Homeowners Assoc) but depending on where you live, you may also be under another HOA (I think this is limited mainly to the townhomes) as well that manages the individual townhome complex. If you're buying a single family home, you're most likely just governed by the master HOA. Bottomline: if you're not a fan of following rules set by HOA's, I wouldn't recommend moving here. On the other hand, my experiences have been fine and the property manager makes himself very assessible. Dues are high compared to other neighborhoods but with those dues you are getting a gated community with 24/7 security.

Property ownership in the Glen Oaks neighborhood does NOT provide you any membership benefits to the Country Club. The Glen Oaks CC operates as a completely separate entity (although the CC has periodcially invited residents to take part in activities at times). I can't give you any feedback on membership experience there as it is more than a touch outside my pay grade.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have questions and I'll try my best to answer.

[Tek_Freek]

How's the noise level from the Interstate?

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

How's the noise level from the Interstate?

Good question. Depends on which part of the neighborhood you live. It is fairly large and if you're located in the middle-to-west side of the neighborhood, you have a lot of space and probalby a couple large rolling hills between you and I-35. You won't hear anything. There is a lot of neighborhood beyond what is visable from I-35. My property is on the far west side so it wasn't a factor.

[T&CMOM]

What about the neighborhood itself does it have a lot of families with children? From what I do understand it is very safe, are the neighbors friendly? How diverse is it? How far is it from shopping and family recreation? We are also considering Ankeny, Grimes, Johnston, Waukee, Clive and Urbandale. Any opinions on those areas.

[steel03]

It's very safe and very close to shopping at West Glen and Jordan Creek and pretty close to recreation at Raccoon River Park There will be a bunch of families with kids, but it is not diverse at all, like it is easily one of the least diverse neighborhoods in the entire metro area, maybe in the entire state. Totally upper-middle to upper class WASPs. If that's a big deal for you, then you might look elsewhere. Even the neighboring areas of West Des Moines will be more diverse.

All the suburbs you listed a good, safe places to raise a family. Clive and parts of Urbandale and Ankeny are the "closest to the action," so to speak.

[capitalcityguy]

IMO neighborhoods like Glen Oaks aren't constructed to be traditional "friendly" neighborhoods. People live in big houses with big yards so there is space between homes. Many people hire out yard work, so you don't bump into your neighbor out in the yard like you do in more traditional middle-class neighborhoods. I was always suprised that even on the nicest of days, it never seemed like many people were out and about. I wouldn't say it is unfriendly or rude, just not easy to get-to-know neighbors.

[runewell]

Glen Oaks is all gated and everything, but i wouldn't want to live in an area with a Security guard, blech. Check it out, but check out everything else in the vicinty as well. It's directly across from a buy shopping plaza including a Target and there is a traffic light and a busy intersection waiting for you everytime you want to leave your home.

[Tek_Freek]

Originally Posted by runewell

Glen Oaks is all gated and everything, but i wouldn't want to live in an area with a Security guard, blech. Check it out, but check out everything else in the vicinty as well. It's directly across from a buy shopping plaza including a Target and there is a traffic light and a busy intersection waiting for you everytime you want to leave your home.

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