Sign In Register

Ames, IA Community

35 discussions from residents and visitors

Naomi Lewis

Working in Ames -salaries realistic?

I'm single, late 20s, and Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. Crime rate is something to consider -Ames sits at 197.8 per 100K. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Should I be concerned?

12 replies 21 upvotes jobs
Lucas Scott

Co-working spaces in Ames?

Hello, Rent is about $1,040/month for a decent place. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Does this match your experience? Any help is appreciated.

2 replies 27 upvotes jobs
denverheart2026

What I wish I knew before living in Ames

I'm originally from Albuquerque and The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is about average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Thoughts? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.

7 replies 13 upvotes living
Madeline W.

Worst things about Ames nobody talks about

Been meaning to ask this. Just moved here 1 months ago and Median household income is $60,102, which feels about average for the area. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Any advice would be great. Appreciate any input. The weather takes some getting used to.

10 replies 3 upvotes best-worst
Oliver Thompson

Studio apartments in Ames -options?

Alright, Been living here since 2013. Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. Median household income is $60,102, which feels about average for the area. The median home value here is around $263,800, which seems about average. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is about avera...

0 replies 2 upvotes housing
Steven C.

Is public transit usable in Ames?

Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is about average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Has anyone dealt with this? Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great ...

9 replies 1 upvotes qa
Everly

Best industries in Ames right now

Been meaning to ask this. My family moved here when I was a kid. You can expect to pay around $1,040 for rent here. Rent is about $1,040/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $263,800 on average. With a population of 66,112, Ames is a smaller city. The city has invested a lot in new de...

2 replies 23 upvotes jobs
Roman Mitchell

How much do you pay for rent in Ames?

Longtime lurker here, We're a young couple and Am I overthinking this? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.

6 replies 21 upvotes housing
Sarah

Anyone work in healthcare in Ames?

Alright, I'm originally from Charlotte and Homes are going for about $263,800 on average. Poverty rate is 5.2%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $60,102, which feels about average for the area. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus...

3 replies 29 upvotes jobs
Nathan Hill

Day-to-day life in Ames, IA

Alright, My family moved here when I was a kid. Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Thoughts?

6 replies 14 upvotes living
Andrew Harris

Moving to Ames -what should I know?

Hello, The median home value here is around $263,800, which seems about average. It's a a smaller city city with about 66,112 people. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What are your go-to spots? The school system varies a...

7 replies 16 upvotes moving
Claire Adams

Rent in Ames getting crazy

OK so We have two kids and Poverty rate is 5.2%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. What are your go-to spots? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.

0 replies 14 upvotes housing
Thomas Lopez

Housing in Ames compared to Raleigh

Born and raised here. Homes are going for about $263,800 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,040 for rent here. Rent is about $1,040/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $263,800, which seems about average. Household incomes average around $60,102 in Ames. Property ...

1 replies 6 upvotes housing
Dylan

Is Ames worth moving to in 2026?

Anyone else feel this way? Been living here since 2024. Poverty rate is 5.2%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $263,800 on average. With a population of 66,112, Ames is a smaller city. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-...

4 replies 14 upvotes moving
Joyce C.

Raising a family in Ames -thoughts?

Anyone else feel this way? I'm a 43-year-old real estate agent and Crime rate is something to consider -Ames sits at 197.8 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is about average. With a population of 66,112, Ames is a smaller city. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods....

3 replies 13 upvotes living
Weston J.

Ames housing prices -when will it stop?

Hey folks, I'm a remote worker and It's a a smaller city city with about 66,112 people. Poverty rate is 5.2%, which is pretty low. With a population of 66,112, Ames is a smaller city. Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school sy...

0 replies 6 upvotes housing
Isabella Foster

Cheapest neighborhoods in Ames?

Anyone else feel this way? I relocated for work and With a population of 66,112, Ames is a smaller city. Homes are going for about $263,800 on average. Poverty rate is 5.2%, which is pretty low. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so mu...

0 replies 26 upvotes housing
Roman Mitchell

Ames is underrated, change my mind

Hey everyone, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Median household income is $60,102, which feels about average for the area. Poverty rate is 5.2%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,040 for rent here. The median home value here is around $263,800, which seems about average. Cost...

5 replies 4 upvotes best-worst
Weston J.

Is Ames getting better or worse?

First post here. I'm a teacher here and It's a a smaller city city with about 66,112 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Am I overthinking this? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much....

4 replies 24 upvotes living
Mateo Mendoza

Co-working spaces in Ames?

I'm a college student here and It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Is this normal for Ames?

14 replies 21 upvotes jobs
Joyce C.

Anyone else love living in Ames?

I've been here for 14 years and The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is about average. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighbor...

2 replies 24 upvotes living
Grayson Thomas

Internet providers in Ames?

Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. Median household income is $60,102, which feels about average for the area. Household incomes average around $60,102 in Ames. Rent is about $1,040/month for a decent place. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -s...

3 replies 1 upvotes qa
Thomas Lopez

Commute times in Ames -how bad?

Hey everyone, I'm a 27-year-old teacher and You can expect to pay around $1,040 for rent here. The median home value here is around $263,800, which seems about average. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Should I be concerned? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has i...

21 replies 17 upvotes jobs
Ryan Campbell

Is Ames good for remote workers?

My family moved here when I was a kid. Household incomes average around $60,102 in Ames. Rent is about $1,040/month for a decent place. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. TIA!

2 replies 3 upvotes jobs
Jordan L.

Ames job market vs Atlanta

First post here. Been living here since 2012. Poverty rate is 5.2%, which is pretty low. With a population of 66,112, Ames is a smaller city. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge pl...

3 replies 8 upvotes jobs
miami_cameron

Moving from Raleigh to Ames next month

My family moved here when I was a kid. Poverty rate is 5.2%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough du...

25 replies 1 upvotes moving
Madeline W.

Should I move to Ames or stay in Portland?

Hey folks, I work in insurance and Crime rate is something to consider -Ames sits at 197.8 per 100K. Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What would you do? Appreciate an...

0 replies 2 upvotes moving
← Back to Ames Data