Hello, It's a a smaller city city with about 70,542 people. Household incomes average around $106,603 in Ankeny. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Should I be concerned? Any help is appreciated. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
15 upvotes
10 Replies
Nathan Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 35, moved here 7 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Sunset and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Houston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
40 upvotes
Madeline
glad someone said it
34 upvotes
Ella Mitchell
Bought a house here in 2019 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
27 upvotes
matthew_runner
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is underrated in most areas.
23 upvotes
Joan H.
I've lived in Springfield for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, 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
- Lots of new development happening
- The traffic scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
houston_noah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 41, moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in West and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Atlanta, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
17 upvotes
Axel James
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 8 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Zoey Jackson
facts
13 upvotes
Mason Reyes
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Baltimore it's tough.
9 upvotes
Adam Morgan
I'm a teacher and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is average and there's always something going on.
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