My family moved here when I was a kid. You can expect to pay around $1,727 for rent here. Homes are going for about $539,800 on average. Median household income is $89,787, which feels pretty solid for the area. Household incomes average around $89,787 in Des Moines. The median home value here is around $539,800, which is pretty steep. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Low crime in most areas
- Lots of new development
- Strong sense of community
- Active local events
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Rising rent prices
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Mosquitoes and humidity
Am I overthinking this? Thanks in advance! Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
19 upvotes
17 Replies
Ian Turner
facts
40 upvotes
Grace Mendoza
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Nathan Rodriguez
I've lived in Eastside for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good airport with direct flights
- The job market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Mason Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
33 upvotes
Brooks Ruiz
seconding this
31 upvotes
Austin C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Houston 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 Highland. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Aria Wood
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 37, moved here 2 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
21 upvotes
Barbara G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 3 years. Moved from Dallas for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
government is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are decent. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Nightlife is limited. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Olivia G.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The safety is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Audrey Lewis
I work in consulting here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Serenity Johnson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Miami 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 Pine Hills. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Henry Bailey
noted, appreciate it
7 upvotes
Serenity R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Chicago about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Victoria Stewart
preach
5 upvotes
Skylar
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 3 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2021 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are surprisingly good. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Dating scene is rough. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Carter Richardson
I've lived in North for about 11 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 Chicago, 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
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The cost of living scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
1 upvotes
Ian Lopez
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
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