Not sure if this has been asked before, but The median home value here is around $286,300, which seems about average. With a population of 69,893, West Des Moines is a smaller city. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Rent is about $1,194/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 5.6%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Lots of new development
- Strong sense of community
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Cold winters
- Rising rent prices
- Lack of diversity
- Mosquitoes and humidity
What do you all think? The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
17 upvotes
17 Replies
Keith A.
underrated comment
40 upvotes
Easton Gonzalez
Moved here from Nashville about 12 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to traffic but Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
jaxrunner2020
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Olivia P.
hard disagree but ok
31 upvotes
Riley Ortiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Gabriel
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Southern places. it exceeded my expectations.
28 upvotes
Wesley Kim
Totally agree!
27 upvotes
Jace R.
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Evelyn L.
good to know, thanks
24 upvotes
Easton M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 7 years. Moved from Boston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. healthcare 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is surprisingly 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. Highland schools are pretty 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. Limited public transit options. Property taxes are high. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Jessica F.
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
18 upvotes
Kennedy W.
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 6 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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 pretty 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. Limited high-paying job options. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Ariana
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Houston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Silas Martin
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
13 upvotes
Bella Howard
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from New York about 4 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Hazel Torres
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The walkability is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
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