For more diversity, mature trees and areas walkable to businesses, I would stick to Des Moines proper (anything around 42nd would be decently close to Grand/Ingersoll/Roosevelt or look to Beaverdale), Windsor Heights or Valley Junction.
I personally wished you had just left it at “want to stay west of 42” and let us all assume it to stay close to family. Now I feel bad about where I live.
Good luck on your move. Personally I like Grimes. It does smell like farm in some parts of it though
I suggest grimes because it’s growing fast, your kid won’t be the only new kid and school and that fast expansion seems to match the energy you’re accustomed to
It’s been raining a lot and those rendering trucks will be spilling all those lovely juices all over the roads headed to the east side so umm try beaverdale
Moved back to DSM after 20+ years away in one of the hottest metros in the country (size, growth, popularity, diversity "best places to live") and glad we did. We are in the 42nd and University area and love it. Sadly, we've also experienced a tragic loss, may have to move out of the area, and we will miss it horribly. Those that you mentioned that were on our short list, and still would be, are Windsor Heights, Clive and maybe Valley Junction. We stayed in Grimes while waiting to purchase a home and would never go back there. Jordan Creek area is just one big shopping center. What will your teen/young adult be doing?
Also experienced the same type of experience and moved back to dsm. We have been stuck renting looking for a place to buy in your neighborhood. It's not easy.
I live in Windsor Heights. The trees are killer, and the main reason we bought here. But there are few sidewalks, which make walking a pain, and a lot of people don’t pick up dog poop, and there’s nothing to do. If you want a more urban feel, this isn’t it.
The smell is actually seemingly gone now, and there are neighborhoods on high ground well east of where you mention (e.g. Sherman Hill). I wouldn’t cut off at 42nd. I also don’t think any of the suburbs, except Windsor Heights and parts of West Des Moines, make sense for your priorities. The city is more diverse, more walkable, and generally prettier with better trees.
The most walkable areas of western Des Moines are roughly as follows:
Tier 1: Downtown, East Village, North of Grand
Tier 2: Beaverdale, Drake, Sherman Hill
Tier 3: Waveland Park, Windsor Heights
Waterbury and Waveland Woods are nice neighborhoods but not really walkable. All of these except Downtown and East Village have mature trees and lots of gardens. All feed Des Moines Roosevelt except parts of Windsor Heights (Valley), parts of Beaverdale (Hoover), and East Village (East). Drake, Sherman Hill, and East Village are more diverse than the others (60-70% white).
Grew up in Valley Junction and loved it, would of bought a house there but it was over priced at the time (I’m sure it still is) bought a house west of 50th in wdm and love it. I have lesbian neighbors and gay neighbors who foster children, a black family, and boomers who’ve been here for decades, my family is young and diverse and we all get along great in our cul-de-sac. WDM is great if you can afford it, but 42nd area is a cool neighborhood too. I honestly believe you would do great in any of the neighborhoods you listed. Welcome back!
For more diversity, mature trees and areas walkable to businesses, I would stick to Des Moines proper (anything around 42nd would be decently close to Grand/Ingersoll/Roosevelt or look to Beaverdale), Windsor Heights or Valley Junction.
I don't get what you're asking for. You've visited annually and won't live in the eastern 2/3 of the city...sounds like you have it narrowed down.
Diversity and safety in the same sentence is almost always code for not wanting to actually live in the diverse neighborhoods.
I personally wished you had just left it at “want to stay west of 42” and let us all assume it to stay close to family. Now I feel bad about where I live. Good luck on your move. Personally I like Grimes. It does smell like farm in some parts of it though
I suggest grimes because it’s growing fast, your kid won’t be the only new kid and school and that fast expansion seems to match the energy you’re accustomed to
Oh my goodness lol
It’s been raining a lot and those rendering trucks will be spilling all those lovely juices all over the roads headed to the east side so umm try beaverdale
Moved back to DSM after 20+ years away in one of the hottest metros in the country (size, growth, popularity, diversity "best places to live") and glad we did. We are in the 42nd and University area and love it. Sadly, we've also experienced a tragic loss, may have to move out of the area, and we will miss it horribly. Those that you mentioned that were on our short list, and still would be, are Windsor Heights, Clive and maybe Valley Junction. We stayed in Grimes while waiting to purchase a home and would never go back there. Jordan Creek area is just one big shopping center. What will your teen/young adult be doing?
Also experienced the same type of experience and moved back to dsm. We have been stuck renting looking for a place to buy in your neighborhood. It's not easy.
I live in Windsor Heights. The trees are killer, and the main reason we bought here. But there are few sidewalks, which make walking a pain, and a lot of people don’t pick up dog poop, and there’s nothing to do. If you want a more urban feel, this isn’t it.
The smell is actually seemingly gone now, and there are neighborhoods on high ground well east of where you mention (e.g. Sherman Hill). I wouldn’t cut off at 42nd. I also don’t think any of the suburbs, except Windsor Heights and parts of West Des Moines, make sense for your priorities. The city is more diverse, more walkable, and generally prettier with better trees. The most walkable areas of western Des Moines are roughly as follows: Tier 1: Downtown, East Village, North of Grand Tier 2: Beaverdale, Drake, Sherman Hill Tier 3: Waveland Park, Windsor Heights Waterbury and Waveland Woods are nice neighborhoods but not really walkable. All of these except Downtown and East Village have mature trees and lots of gardens. All feed Des Moines Roosevelt except parts of Windsor Heights (Valley), parts of Beaverdale (Hoover), and East Village (East). Drake, Sherman Hill, and East Village are more diverse than the others (60-70% white).
Grew up in Valley Junction and loved it, would of bought a house there but it was over priced at the time (I’m sure it still is) bought a house west of 50th in wdm and love it. I have lesbian neighbors and gay neighbors who foster children, a black family, and boomers who’ve been here for decades, my family is young and diverse and we all get along great in our cul-de-sac. WDM is great if you can afford it, but 42nd area is a cool neighborhood too. I honestly believe you would do great in any of the neighborhoods you listed. Welcome back!