I relocated for work and Rent is about $1,290/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $106,728 in Waukee. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cheers. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
Wyatt Long
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Luca Thomas
facts
38 upvotes
Eli Harris
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Josiah Murphy
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great craft beer places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
31 upvotes
Aaron Young
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Paisley R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 15 years. Moved from Dallas for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is decent - 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 solid. 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. Rising rent and home prices. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Aaliyah Turner
Totally agree!
27 upvotes
austin_lillian
Can confirm, been here 10 years.
24 upvotes
Greyson Jackson
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Virginia A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Dallas 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 Old Town. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
David G.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
9 upvotes
Everly Hughes
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Lakewood area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Matthew Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 11 years. Moved from Baltimore for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are improving. 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 very walkable outside downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Melanie Sanders
seconding this
4 upvotes
Aaron Campbell
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to New York it's hit or miss.
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