I'd put Adel, Huxley before all the 2's.I would swap Cambridge and Huxley, though I'm not sure I'd consider either as standing on their own for amenities.
I'd put Adel, Huxley before all the 2's.I would swap Cambridge and Huxley, though I'm not sure I'd consider either as standing on their own for amenities.
Marshalltown has beautiful old homes that I'm sure are going for cheap. Only problem is living in Marshalltown.My wife and I are planning a move back to the Des Moines area next summer. We have been browsing real estate listings for a few months now and one thing we are trying to pin down are towns/areas that we should be focusing on.
What are some of the best towns to live in around the Des Moines metro? What are some of the ones to avoid?
Here is our criteria:
1) We are old house lovers. So, we are looking for a home from 1900-1930. We are not interested in a new development or new house. Living in town (in a smaller town) or in the country is fine by us.
2) Needs to be within about a 45 minute drive (max) from West DSM/Urbandale, which is where extended family is.
3) Size of the town is not as critical. However, we are looking for a town that is healthy/vibrant. A town that holds events within itself or with neighboring towns would be nice. We love DSM, but don't want to have to drive into the metro anytime we want to do something fun. Fairs, festivals, etc in said small town would be preferred.
4) I will be working from home so no need to focus location on place of work. Proximity to the airport would be a plus, though.
5) We have kids that are just entering school age. While we don't need to have them in the best schools possible, we would like to be aware of any towns/areas that have notoriously bad schools. We are both products of the Iowa public school system, so that's where our kids will attend.
Winterset and Indianola are the two we've identified so far. What others should we be looking at?
CON: The Dutch. Enjoy your mayonnaise and marshmallow salad with peaches in it.
Had a football coach get the cops called on him for washing his car on a Sunday in Pella. The cop was like 'what are you doing?' He says, 'washing my car?' Cop just stairs at him and said 'alright, just close the door please.' Friggin' Dutch.Dutch influence has waned over the years, although I get grief for mowing my lawn with a Tractor (sometimes on Sunday). Also use it for plowing snow! Work ethic says ought to be out pushing a snow blower and/or a mower! Even my ISU retired friends think I ought to get the "exercise". Now I consider walking to the stadium from A3 to my seats legitimate exercise, but running a snowblower is an emergency activity (or lawn mower). I do walk to my neighborhood bridge game!! And walk a little with my wife (have to save energy for her). My son grduated this year from ISU, but attended Pella HS and Churches, and was an avid Bernie supporter, the anathema of Dutch culture LOL.
I would swap Cambridge and Huxley, though I'm not sure I'd consider either as standing on their own for amenities.
I loved Cambridge but it's not a place with a night life.Guess it's been a few years since I've been there but Cambridge didn't seem nice at all. Huxley is alright but not much for old houses and neighborhoods.
I'd agree, for Cambridge there's a bar, a bike trail (Heart of Iowa, eventually will be part of a coast to coast paved bike trail), and a car wash. That being said it's 15 minutes from Ames, 25 mins to downtown DSM and part of the Ballard School district. Huxley is coming around, they've got a new Brewpub that's been a great addition. Its only 10 minutes from Ames so I think its a good 'buy' right now with Ames seemingly expanding southward.Guess it's been a few years since I've been there but Cambridge didn't seem nice at all. Huxley is alright but not much for old houses and neighborhoods.
I'd agree, for Cambridge there's a bar, a bike trail (Heart of Iowa, eventually will be part of a coast to coast paved bike trail), and a car wash. That being said it's 15 minutes from Ames, 25 mins to downtown DSM and part of the Ballard School district. Huxley is coming around, they've got a new Brewpub that's been a great addition. Its only 10 minutes from Ames so I think its a good 'buy' right now with Ames seemingly expanding southward.
Did not attend Norwalk schools but I have watched them for years. Very progressive. State and nationally recognized teachers and administration .
Not a lot of houses in Norwalk are older with character. Most were built in the 50's and 60's.
I grew up around Indianola. And there are some really interesting older homes. Simpson is making a lot of changes right now and there may be some homes in that area coming on the market.
I've heard great things about Pella, but I've also heard it's tough to be an outsider in Pella. Menaing, the community so so strong that if you come from elsewhere and are not already part of the Dutch/E-Free culture, you struggle to get connected. Was that true in your experience?
I grew up in Martensdale so I'm covered, barely.I don't think I'd live south of 92 but that's just me.
We just moved to Norwalk with a new construction and love the neighborhood. People have been super friendly and it is going to be easy to get settled.Did not attend Norwalk schools but I have watched them for years. Very progressive. State and nationally recognized teachers and administration .
Not a lot of houses in Norwalk are older with character. Most were built in the 50's and 60's.
I grew up around Indianola. And there are some really interesting older homes. Simpson is making a lot of changes right now and there may be some homes in that area coming on the market.
Yea, can happen, depends on neighbors and whether they feel you're disrespecting the local culture. Pellans are very proud of their town, and the culture. I won't mow on Sunday morning, but if I need to get the grass cause I'm leaving town; then I do Sunday afternoon. Have a good friend, 85 years young, who has lived in Pella her whole life, and states the Sunday thing is BS, as long as you don't live within a block of a church. But I guess if working people can abstain from Sunday morning; than I can. I have never had a cop come for weeding, or working on the house; but I am sensitive to noise generation on Sunday morning. Its more of a church thing than a Dutch thing.Had a football coach get the cops called on him for washing his car on a Sunday in Pella. The cop was like 'what are you doing?' He says, 'washing my car?' Cop just stairs at him and said 'alright, just close the door please.' Friggin' Dutch.
Yea, can happen, depends on neighbors and whether they feel you're disrespecting the local culture. Pellans are very proud of their town, and the culture. I won't mow on Sunday morning, but if I need to get the grass cause I'm leaving town; then I do Sunday afternoon. Have a good friend, 85 years young, who has lived in Pella her whole life, and states the Sunday thing is BS, as long as you don't live within a block of a church. But I guess if working people can abstain from Sunday morning; than I can. I have never had a cop come for weeding, or working on the house; but I am sensitive to noise generation on Sunday morning. Its more of a church thing than a Dutch thing.
Ya screw that, this is a free country.Yea, can happen, depends on neighbors and whether they feel you're disrespecting the local culture. Pellans are very proud of their town, and the culture. I won't mow on Sunday morning, but if I need to get the grass cause I'm leaving town; then I do Sunday afternoon. Have a good friend, 85 years young, who has lived in Pella her whole life, and states the Sunday thing is BS, as long as you don't live within a block of a church. But I guess if working people can abstain from Sunday morning; than I can. I have never had a cop come for weeding, or working on the house; but I am sensitive to noise generation on Sunday morning. Its more of a church thing than a Dutch thing.
I don't think I'd live south of 92 but that's just me.
It may be a little farther than you like, but marshalltown has A LOT of nice old houses like this on Main street
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/710-W-Main-St-Marshalltown-IA-50158/76792827_zpid/?
Help me understand what's being said here. They're super anal about keeping your lawn maintained? But you can't do it on Sundays to respect the Sabbath? I'm not judging, I'm really quite intrigued. I know my friend in Sioux Center said that they've gotten a lot better there, but people will still hassle you about your lawn getting too long. So is the lawn a point of pride for reformed Dutch folks?
I will say, when I went to Sioux Center, it was very idyllic. One thing my friend pointed out that I did not notice right away....no fences in town. No one puts up a fence. I don't think it's outlawed, but there's lots of social pressure not to have a fence.
What changes are happening at Simpson? They are currently on my son’s short list.