Anyone else feel this way? Household incomes average around $106,603 in Ankeny. Rent is about $1,279/month for a decent place. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What would you do? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
10 upvotes
5 Replies
Harper Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Aubrey Long
Saving this thread
31 upvotes
Jacob L.
Bought a house here in 2024 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
27 upvotes
Everett Jimenez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Hudson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 27, moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Riverside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
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