Alright, Born and raised here. Household incomes average around $106,603 in Ankeny. The suburbs are where most families end up. Thoughts? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
0 upvotes
12 Replies
Leonardo Long
honestly same experience here
38 upvotes
Violet Garcia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 15 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Miles Flores
this is the way
36 upvotes
Lucas Baker
yeah no that's not right
36 upvotes
Evan Cox
I've lived in North for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cost of living scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Cameron H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely underrated and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Riverside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
23 upvotes
Skylar Rodriguez
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The cost of living is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Leonardo Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 57, moved here 3 years ago from New York. I've lived in Old Town and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The housing market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from New York, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
9 upvotes
coastal_joseph69
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Hudson Rogers
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
mesaguy2022
been saying this for years
5 upvotes
Aaliyah R.
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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