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Addison G. qa

How is Ankeny for outdoor activities?

Just moved here 4 months ago and The median home value here is around $311,300, which seems about average. The unemployment rate is 1.7%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $311,300 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,279 for rent here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Does this match your experience? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
27 upvotes

7 Replies

Everly Sanchez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value safety, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely hit or miss and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Riverside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.

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.
30 upvotes
Emily Price
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Uptown area are improving. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Sarah Thompson
wish I knew this sooner
21 upvotes
Austin Flores
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
21 upvotes
Elizabeth White
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Genesis Roberts
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
16 upvotes
Brielle
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's excellent for what you get.

Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in retail you might struggle.

People: Generally average. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
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