First post here. I work in marketing and With a population of 70,542, Ankeny is a smaller city. The median home value here is around $311,300, which seems about average. Poverty rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Ankeny sits at 109.2 per 100K. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Anyone in a similar situation? Any help is appreciated. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
12 upvotes
23 Replies
Alexander A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
atl_austin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 3 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Axel F.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Austin it's solid.
36 upvotes
oaklandwalker2024
I work in hospitality here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is solid. No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Vivian Howard
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Pittsburgh it's surprisingly good.
33 upvotes
Sofia
yeah no that's not right
31 upvotes
Adam C.
hmm interesting perspective
31 upvotes
Joshua Collins
nah I disagree
29 upvotes
Josiah Perez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Wyatt M.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The walkability is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Carson Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 24, moved here 1 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Westside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Seattle, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
21 upvotes
Lucy
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Julia Reyes
I've lived in North for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Close to major attractions
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
wild_aaliyah4
spot on
16 upvotes
Harper F.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 2 years. Moved from Phoenix for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not very walkable outside downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Kai Moore
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Tampa about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Jackson Howard
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The public transit is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Bradley T.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in South area are solid. Kids love it here.
6 upvotes
nycrider2021
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 9 years. Moved from Nashville for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Can feel isolated. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Emmett L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Xavier Price
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The traffic is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Nova
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The community vibe scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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