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Des Moines Metro Neighborhoods | Complete Guide to 15+ Communities | Smart Move DSM

📍 Complete Metro Guide

Des Moines Metro Neighborhoods

Name: Charming Ranch with 3-Car Garage - 3918 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy
Brand: Smart Move Des Moines
Price: 175000 USD
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Explore 15+ neighborhoods across the Des Moines metro. Compare communities by price, schools, commute, and lifestyle to find your perfect fit.

15+Neighborhoods

$275K-$400KPrice Range

8-9/10School Ratings

Browse Neighborhoods Schedule Consultation

Your Complete Guide to Des Moines Metro Neighborhoods

Experience the power of Des Moines real estate at your fingertips with this comprehensive neighborhood guide. Whether you're relocating to Central Iowa for work, searching for your dream home in Beaverdale, exploring investment opportunities in downtown Des Moines, or researching family-friendly communities in West Des Moines, Ankeny, Grimes, or Johnston, this guide provides everything you need to make an informed decision about where to live in the Des Moines metro area.

The Des Moines metropolitan area has consistently ranked among the best places to live in America, offering an exceptional combination of affordable housing, excellent schools, low unemployment, and a thriving cultural scene. From the historic charm of Beaverdale to the rapid growth of Waukee, each neighborhood in the Des Moines metro offers a unique lifestyle and community character that appeals to different homebuyers.

Why Move to the Des Moines Metro Area?

The Des Moines metro area has emerged as one of the Midwest's most desirable destinations for homebuyers, offering a compelling combination of economic opportunity, affordability, and quality of life that's increasingly rare in today's housing market.

Economic Strength and Job Growth

Des Moines serves as the insurance capital of the world, home to Principal Financial Group, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, EMC Insurance, and dozens of other major employers. The metro area has diversified beyond insurance into technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.

Exceptional Affordability

The median home price across Des Moines metro neighborhoods ranges from $275,000 in communities like Carlisle and Pleasant Hill to approximately $400,000 in premium areas like West Des Moines. For comparison, the national median home price exceeds $410,000.

Top-Rated Schools

Central Iowa is home to some of the highest-rated public school districts in the Midwest. Waukee, Ankeny, Johnston, and West Des Moines Community Schools all consistently earn 9/10 ratings.

🏙️ Urban Des Moines

Walkable neighborhoods with character, culture, and city convenience.

Urban Living

Downtown Des Moines

💰 $250K📚 Varies🚶 Walk Score: 90+

Modern lofts, trendy restaurants, and vibrant entertainment. Perfect for young professionals seeking walkable urban living.

View Guide →Young Professionals

Historic Charm

Beaverdale

💰 $275K📚 8/10🌳 Tree-Lined

Historic homes, mature trees, walkable shops. Des Moines' most beloved established neighborhood.

View Guide →Families, Character Seekers

⬆️ North Side Suburbs

Top schools, new construction, and family-focused communities north of Des Moines.

Top Schools

Ankeny

💰 $340K📚 9/10📈 Fast Growing

Prairie Trail lifestyle, award-winning schools, and family amenities. Iowa's seventh-largest city.

View Guide →Families

Top Schools

Johnston

💰 $325K📚 9/10🏞️ Terra Park

Terra Park lifestyle, top-rated Johnston Schools, and planned communities.

View Guide →Families

Best Value

Grimes

💰 $295K📚 8.5/10🏠 New Builds

Affordable new construction, growing amenities, and excellent value for north side living.

View Guide →Value Seekers, First-Time Buyers

⬅️ West Side Suburbs

Premium communities with top schools, corporate corridors, and upscale living.

Premium

West Des Moines

💰 $400K📚 9/10🛍️ Jordan Creek

Jordan Creek Mall, Valley Junction, and premium neighborhoods with excellent schools.

View Guide →Professionals, Luxury Seekers

Fastest Growing

Waukee

💰 $375K📚 9/10📈 +100% Growth

Metro's fastest-growing suburb with excellent Waukee Schools and abundant new construction.

View Guide →Families, Investors

Corporate Corridor

Clive

💰 $350K📚 9/10🚴 Greenbelt Trail

Greenbelt Trail access, corporate employers, and WDMCS schools.

View Guide →Professionals, Active Lifestyles

Central Location

Urbandale

💰 $300K📚 8.5/10📍 10 Min to Anywhere

Central location with 10-minute access to everywhere in the metro.

View Guide →Commuters, Convenience

⬇️ South & East Side

Affordable value, small-town charm, and entertainment access.

Growth Star

Norwalk

💰 $290K📚 8-9/10📈 +100% Growth

South side's growth star with dramatically improved schools and extensive new construction.

View Guide →Value Seekers, Families

Best Value

Pleasant Hill

💰 $280K📚 8/10💵 $50-100K Savings

Metro's best value with Southeast Polk schools and significant savings versus west side.

View Guide →Budget-Conscious Families

Entertainment Hub

Altoona

💰 $285K📚 8/10🎢 Adventureland

Entertainment capital of Iowa with Adventureland, Prairie Meadows, and Bass Pro Shops.

View Guide →Entertainment, Airport Workers

Most Affordable

Carlisle

💰 $275K📚 7-8/10🏡 Small-Town

Authentic small-town living at metro's most affordable prices.

View Guide →Small-Town Lovers, Value Seekers

🏠 Senior-Friendly Des Moines Neighborhoods

For senior homebuyers and those planning retirement moves, the Des Moines metro offers numerous neighborhoods with features specifically suited to the 55+ community. As a certified Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®), Sarah Ingles has helped dozens of seniors navigate the unique considerations involved in choosing a neighborhood for this life stage.

Top Neighborhoods for Seniors

West Des Moines consistently ranks as the most popular choice for Des Moines area seniors, offering extensive healthcare facilities, diverse housing options including 55+ communities, and comprehensive retail and dining. Urbandale's central location provides convenient access to medical appointments and family visits. Clive offers an active lifestyle focus with Greenbelt Trail access.

Complete Neighborhood Comparison

Neighborhood	Median Price	Schools	Commute	Type	Best For
West Des Moines	$400K	★★★★★ 9/10	15 min	Premium	Professionals, Luxury
Waukee	$375K	★★★★★ 9/10	20 min	Growing	Families, Investors
Clive	$350K	★★★★★ 9/10	12 min	Corporate	Professionals
Ankeny	$340K	★★★★★ 9/10	20 min	Suburban	Families
Johnston	$325K	★★★★★ 9/10	15 min	Suburban	Families
Urbandale	$300K	★★★★ 8.5/10	10 min	Established	Commuters
Grimes	$295K	★★★★ 8.5/10	20 min	Growing	Value Seekers
Norwalk	$290K	★★★★ 8-9/10	15 min	Growing	Value Seekers
Altoona	$285K	★★★★ 8/10	15 min	Entertainment	Entertainment, Airport
Pleasant Hill	$280K	★★★★ 8/10	12 min	Value	Budget Families
Beaverdale	$275K	★★★★ 8/10	10 min	Historic	Character Seekers
Carlisle	$275K	★★★ 7-8/10	15 min	Small-Town	Small-Town Lovers
Downtown DSM	$250K	★★★ Varies	0 min	Urban	Young Professionals

Neighborhood FAQs

What are the best suburbs of Des Moines?

The best suburb depends on your priorities. For top-rated schools, consider Waukee, Ankeny, Johnston, or West Des Moines — all offer 9/10 rated districts. For affordability, Grimes, Norwalk, and Pleasant Hill provide strong value. For convenience, Urbandale and Clive offer 10-15 minute access to anywhere in the metro.

Which neighborhoods have the best schools?

Top-rated 9/10 school districts include Waukee, Ankeny, Johnston, and West Des Moines Community Schools. Strong 8/10+ districts include Urbandale, Dallas Center-Grimes, Norwalk, and Southeast Polk.

What is the average home price in Des Moines metro?

Prices range from $275,000 in Carlisle and Pleasant Hill to $400,000+ in West Des Moines. Current medians: Ankeny $340K, Waukee $375K, Johnston $325K, Urbandale $300K, Grimes $295K, Clive $350K, Norwalk $290K.

Which suburbs are growing fastest?

Waukee leads growth, having doubled its population over 10 years. Ankeny consistently ranks among America's top 10 fastest-growing cities. Grimes and Norwalk are also experiencing rapid expansion.

How far are suburbs from downtown Des Moines?

Most suburbs offer 10-20 minute drives: Urbandale 10 min, Beaverdale 10 min, Clive 12 min, Pleasant Hill 12 min, Johnston 15 min, West Des Moines 15 min, Ankeny 20 min, Waukee 20 min, Grimes 20 min.

Your Des Moines Neighborhood Expert

Choosing a neighborhood is one of the biggest decisions in your home search. I help buyers understand what makes each Des Moines metro community unique, going beyond the statistics to explain the real livability factors that determine whether a neighborhood is right for your family.

With over 10 years of property insurance experience, I bring a unique perspective to evaluating homes and neighborhoods — protecting you from expensive surprises after closing.