job transfer to Des moines. Where to go? (West Des Moines, Urbandale: for sale, real estate)

[jasony0423]

Hi,
I'm moving to Des Moines and I have no idea where I should live. Ideally, I'd like a short commute and a good neighborhood. Whether I live in the city or the country makes no difference to me. Can anyone suggest any good locations in the area?

[pepe1]

If you'd like a short commute, it would be helpful to know where you are working.

[jasony0423]

Yeah, that would be helpful, I guess.
Nationwide.

[MastermindDSM]

I work at Nationwide too, welcome to Des Moines! Where are you moving from, what do you consider a good commute (time, majority interstate, etc). Are you male or female, significant other, children, what do you like to do, are you looking to rent or buy, house or condo, newer construction, something older with more character???

I would start by looking at www.IowaRealty.com (broken link) or Real Estate Listings & Homes for Sale | Real Estate Agent Search | Coldwell Banker
Try and answer some of the questions above and we can probably narrow it down for you.

[hawkeye2009]

If you like old houses- Waterbury area or South of Grand

Gated commnity- glen oaks in west des moines

newer homes in good school district- west des moines or waukee

Any "commute" in Des Moines is short. Traffic can be heavy at 7:30 on the freeway.

[South_Someday]

I would recommend Urbandale for it is centrally located and devolped. Close to everything!

[MastermindDSM]

Originally Posted by hawkeye2009

If you like old houses- Waterbury area or South of Grand

Gated commnity- glen oaks in west des moines

newer homes in good school district- west des moines or waukee

Any "commute" in Des Moines is short. Traffic can be heavy at 7:30 on the freeway.

Lets not short change Johnston and Ankeny school quality.

[citygirlatheart80]

Being from Des Moines I have some realistic suggestions for you. Not knowing whether you want to rent or buy I'll give you both options.

On renting- I lived for a year at Pointewest Apartments in West Des Moines, the 1 bedroom was 850/month plus about $30 in utilities. Good move in specials. A bit of an older community although they boast that they are 1/3 young, 1/3 middle aged, and 1/3 older residents.
For someone in their mid 20's I would recommend Wellington Apartments in West Des Moines, on the corner of 50th st and EP True. On a non-rush hour time period it would probably take about 15-20 minutes to get downtown. Traffic usually slows to a crawl around 72nd st on I-235.

On buying- I would suggest you stray away from Clive or Urbandale for suburbs. Most love living in West Des Moines (WDM), Waukee, or even Ankeny/Johnston. It obviously depends on your price range, but you can get a decent 3 bedroom/2 bath in any of these communities for about 170,000 (median).

I would suggest that living downtown (unless you're one of the urban types) not be your first choice. There aren't many grocery stores right downtown, shopping, not a ton of restaurants, and as far as getting involved most people live in the suburbs and commute to downtown (reason for the traffic issues).

Let me know if you have any other questions about getting involved in the community or moving- I'll try to answer any you might have!

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by citygirlatheart80

I would suggest that living downtown (unless you're one of the urban types) not be your first choice. There aren't many grocery stores right downtown, shopping, not a ton of restaurants, and as far as getting involved most people live in the suburbs and commute to downtown (reason for the traffic issues).

This response makes me question if you've ever been downtown.

How many people live within walking distance of a grocery store? You'll be no different than most if you live downtown (there is an upscale grocery store on the edge of downtown (Gateway Market) and a full-service grocery store less than 5 minutes away. How many in the suburbs live close to mulitple grocery stores? Non-issue in your decision.

Shopping - you're a ways from any discount stores or malls, but they are only 15 - 20 minutes away. Very similar to if you lived in the suburbs. Non-issue in your decision. There is some shopping and also services (hairstylies, barbers, eye drs, dentists, chiro, etc) so you'll have several opportunities to walk to these things (as opposed to most who live in the suburbs). Plus for downtown living.

I am at a complete loss at the comment about resturants. During the weekday, you'll have 100 or so places that offer lunch. Evenings and weekends, probably more llike 50 and they are some of the best resturants in Des Moines. Another plus for downtown.

[hawkeye2009]

Originally Posted by MastermindDSM

Lets not short change Johnston and Ankeny school quality.

Yes, that is true. Pretty much any high school is good, but I would avoid East, North, Lincoln, and Hoover.