Move to Des Moines (West Des Moines, Urbandale: best suburbs, transplants, house prices)

[hare100]

Hello,

I know some of these questions may have been addressed, and I've sorted through some posts for info, so please bear with me...

My husband and I are in my mid-30's with two young children. We are natives to MN but are ready for a change (we currently live in a Minneapolis suburb). We would like to complete a move before our daugther starts school in a few years. Initially we thought a total different part of the country, but have been drawn to the Des Moines area after a handful of visits--a very nice city!

First, it appears the school systems are good in all areas. Is one suburb better than another? It appears the Des Moines is good as well (here Minneapolis would not be considered as good as a suburb school district). What is the best place to live for a young family. We would like to be in a good neighboorhood/school district with some younger families and friendly area.

This leads to my next question, which may be a bit silly...are people generally friendly? MN is often coined for being "surface nice" meaning people are nice for small talk, but it's difficult to make a real connection with, especially with outsiders/transplants. I'm a native to MN and I often feel this! I've joined groups and classes and have found it hard to find some "true" friends. I don't expect to have a best friend the minute I step into Iowa, but what is the general feel? I know making friends takes time and every place and person is different, but just wondering if anybody has any experience/thoughts on this.

One more question...what is the weather like? I know it is similair to MN and we like the change of seasons, but do struggle with the many months of cold, dark and dreary days. Is Des Moines quite as cold, or does spring arrive a bit sooner then here?

Any help would be great! We are in the very early stages of even starting to think about a major decision like this, but again have found Des Moines to be a nice area. For anybody who knows about or has lived in both the MN twin cities area and Des Moines have any insight? Would moving to Des Moines essentially be just like living in the twin cities?

[runewell]

I made the move from Maplewood, MN 7 years ago (selling my house at the height of the housing bubble) and am very happy here in West Des Moines.

The Des Moines schools are probably not as bad as the Mpls schools, but you are better off in the burbs: west of 63rd St. and/or North of 35/80 towards Ankeny. West Des Moines, Waukee, Johnston, Ankeny (handily a bit more north if you expect frequent trips back to MN). If you want to be a bit closer to downtown, Clive, Urbandale, Windsor Heights.

GreatSchools.com is a good resource for investigating this. It ranks a school from 1-10 showing its performance relative to the rest of the state. You get a lot of 1's (bad) in Des Moines:
GreatSchools.org Search: des moines

Someplace in the state there have to be 1's, and that's where they can be found. Move west to West Des Moines and you get plenty of 8's and 9's:
GreatSchools.org Search: west des moines

The burbs are really nice with lots of recent growth. The people are very friendly, and while I can't say it could take time to make friends it's not a worry. As for weather you get the same seasons, but the low in the winter in January averages 8-9 degrees warmer, while the heat of the summer in July is only 2-3 degrees hotter. Yes it still gets cold but it's more tolerable than Minnesota. You don't get as many of those really awful days. And we get 3 feet of snow compared with Minnesota's 4+ feet. Bring your snowblower if you have one, but you will use it a bit less. Spring comes sooner, it's a real benefit.

It really is a nice area. Kiss professional sports goodbye though. There's minor league baseball and hockey, but get used to hearing about Iowa and Iowa State (even though those are 45 and 90 minute drives from Des Moines)

[hare100]

Thanks for your helpful. It's good to know about the weather...even a couple of degrees warmer or a month sooner for spring makes a huge difference when you are battling the cold!

Any other inputs are appreciated. Thanks!

[runewell]

I walked 5 minutes outside in the cold to the Travelers building and HATED it. You can feel the difference in temperature having lived in both places. It still gets cold, for sure, but it's not nearly as extreme but much more tolerable. When you are experiencing -5F, chances are here it's 0F or +5F. Still cold, but not "I hate living here" cold.

I think the traffic is better also. It's not too bad but I remember slow-going for rush hour. Highway 235 is 60mph and I'll usually go 65-70mph most of the time, on the way there in the morning. On the way back, occasionally you get a mile where you slow down to 40-45 but it picks up pretty quickly. And NONE of those annoying double stop lights on the entrance ramps!!!

[hare100]

That's exactly how I feel--I'm to the point where I cannot stand being outside! And it's that dreadful cold feeling that is the worst. Good to know it feels a bit better there (even though it's still cold).

When my family and I visited, we went to Des Moines. If we moved, I guess we would be considering a suburb to get a better school district and younger vibe of neighboorhood/community. Does anybody have any insight on the best suburbs? I've read on different posts that West Des Moines is "snooty" and "rich". Is that the general feel or assumption of the area? Something we certainly don't want, but I know people have differing opinions. Do those who live in the suburbs feel like you are always going to Des Moines for fun and entertainment, or is there plenty to do in the suburbs?

[tollfree]

Des Moines in general is sort of a "stuffy" town. You won't be able to avoid that anywhere, besides that bad parts of town. Partially, because of the white-collar aspect, and the fact that it's an extremely political city. When the caucus comes around - you might think you're in DC. West Des Moines has a perception of being stuck-up, but it's actually more laid-back than the expensive parts of Des Moines, like South of Grand, or even downtown.

[Tek_Freek]

And once again we have a skewed perception brought forth as fact.

[runewell]

I wouldn't call West Des Moines snooty but rather affluent. I live in an area where most houses cost $175K-$225K. Cross to the other side of 50th st and suddenly the house prices double. In select areas the values double again. But so what? Yes, the richer people drive nicher cars and nice clothes, but I'd guess that 70% of the housing west of 35th St. is valued at $110K (townhouses) - $250K (normal 2-story houses).

I play bridge frequently against a lovely couple who have a million dollar house. It's no big deal - they are very friendly and I see them shopping at HyVee and Target just like I do. There's a Walmart too and a ritzy mall. You can spend as little or as much as you want on stuff.

I'm sure there are some stuck-up white collar types that you get in any city, but I don't find the stereotype to be true at all.

Maybe you should come visit for a weekend and see the place. When it's going to be extra cold.

As for the downtown scene - it depends entirely on what you're into. I'd be lying if I said it was bustling like areas of Mpls.

[hare100]

I greatly appreciate all the posts people respond too; however I realize you have to take all of it in stride as everybody percieves things a bit different and no place is perfect. I would imagine West Des Moines is similiar to some of the suburbs in the twin cities here that have a reputation for being uppity, which I have not always found to be the case.

I would assume I would be quite content there, as we rarely go to Minneapolis or St. Paul. I tend to think we would even visit the downtown Des Moines area more because it is a bit smaller with less traffic, etc. We don't keep up with the music or theather vibe. Just looking for a nice family area with a less horrendous winter (but still like the change of 4 season). We just felt a good vibe from the city when we have been there in the past, but I realize visiting can be different from living there. Just trying to gain some insight--thanks for providing it!

[hare100]

If I could add a quick question. It appears there are parks and trails. Are they upkept or an important part of the area? We do like to be out and feel it is important for the kids to be exposed and learn about nature. Is that something that is valued in the community?

Thanks.