Sign In Register
Mason best-worst

Biggest downsides of living in West Des Moines?

Longtime lurker here, Just moved here 17 months ago and You can expect to pay around $1,194 for rent here. Rent is about $1,194/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $286,300 on average. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
2 upvotes

4 Replies

Parker
I'm a chef and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
39 upvotes
Everly Robinson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.

I've been here 5 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is tough.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Abigail Evans
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a pharmacist, 57, moved here 8 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in East and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Phoenix, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
12 upvotes
la_eva
underrated comment
7 upvotes
← Back to West Des Moines Community