A Few Des Moines-Area Neighborhoods I Think You Should Explore

If you’re exploring the Des Moines area and trying to figure out where you might want to live, here’s my biggest piece of advice:

Don’t just look at houses. Explore the neighborhoods.

The Des Moines metro has a lot of different personalities packed into a relatively small area. And what works for one person or family might not be the right fit for another.

Here are a few areas I’d encourage you to check out.

Beaverdale

Beaverdale has the kind of character that makes a neighborhood feel established.

It’s known for its older homes, mature trees, walkable pockets, and strong sense of community.

If you like homes with personality and neighborhoods that feel like they’ve been around for a while, Beaverdale is worth exploring.

Waveland

Waveland is another area with plenty of charm.

It’s close to some of Des Moines’ great parks, golf, restaurants, and other amenities, while still maintaining a neighborhood feel.

It’s the kind of place where the location is a big part of the appeal.

Ingersoll

The Ingersoll area is a great option if you want to be close to some of Des Moines’ restaurants, shops, and entertainment.

It’s got an urban feel without being completely removed from the residential side of the city.

And, of course, you have the Ingersoll corridor itself, which gives you plenty of places to explore.

Des Moines’ South Side

The South Side has a personality all its own.

There are older homes, established neighborhoods, longtime local businesses, and plenty of that old-school Des Moines feel.

If you’re looking for character and history rather than everything being brand new, don’t overlook it.

Ankeny & Polk City

These two have a little extra meaning for me because that’s where my parents are from.

Ankeny has grown tremendously over the years and offers a lot of newer housing, amenities, restaurants, parks, and family-oriented communities.

Polk City has a smaller-community feel while still being close enough to the metro to make commuting and getting around relatively easy.

Waukee

This is where I live, so I might be a little biased.

But Waukee has a lot going for it.

It’s become one of the metro’s major growth areas, with newer neighborhoods, schools, restaurants, shopping, parks, and easy access to the rest of the metro.

It’s especially appealing to families who want newer housing and plenty of amenities without being too far from downtown Des Moines.

Johnston & Urbandale

This is where I grew up.

So when it comes to Johnston and Urbandale, I’ve got a little more history with the area than just looking at a map and reading the MLS.

I know the neighborhoods, the streets, the different pockets of the communities, and how the areas have changed over the years.

There’s No “Best” Neighborhood

That’s one of the things I love about helping people move around Des Moines.

There isn’t one neighborhood that’s perfect for everyone.

Some people want an older home with character.

Some want new construction.

Some want walkability.

Some want a big backyard.

Some want to be close to downtown.

Others want a little more space and a quieter neighborhood.

The goal isn’t to find the “best” neighborhood. It’s to find the neighborhood that’s best for you.

And if you’re not sure where that is yet, that’s where I can help.

Let’s explore.