Moving to Ames, recommendations?

[UNIPantherFan]

Hello everyone,
I stop by here every once in awhile to see how everything in Cyclone country is going (more frequently when UNI and ISU are playing). Congrats on the Big 12 championship and the 3-seed!

I actually just accepted a job at Iowa State and my wife and I are looking to move to Ames in the coming weeks. Any recommendations on places to live or any places to avoid - we're looking to start off with an apartment, duplex, or condo to start and will look at buying a house in a year or two.
Also, any recommendations on places to eat. I'm usually only in Ames about once or twice a year so I don't know many places outside of Hickory Park. Any sports bars you'd recommend?

Thanks!
And for the first time officially: Go Cyclones! (I may have to set up a new account on here and change my name)

 

[2020cy]

Don't buy a house in the flood plain, Great Plains pizza, become an ISU fan.

 

[buf87]

Cael Sanderson has places for rent in Ames

Ex-ISU wrestling coach Sanderson makes Ames property purchases | Ames Tribune

 

[Rabbuk]

Eat at battles and Thai kitchen everyday if possible.

 

[NATEizKING]

Don't buy a house in the flood plain, Great Plains pizza, become an ISU fan.

Well, that covers everything, so I have nothing to add.

 

[TOFB4ISU]

Live away from Campus. As a townie, you will appreciate the ability to choose experiencing 'college life' (by driving five minutes to ISU) rather than living close to campus and being sujected to it 24/7.

 

[Doc]

Hello everyone,
I stop by here every once in awhile to see how everything in Cyclone country is going (more frequently when UNI and ISU are playing). Congrats on the Big 12 championship and the 3-seed!

I actually just accepted a job at Iowa State and my wife and I are looking to move to Ames in the coming weeks. Any recommendations on places to live or any places to avoid - we're looking to start off with an apartment, duplex, or condo to start and will look at buying a house in a year or two.
Also, any recommendations on places to eat. I'm usually only in Ames about once or twice a year so I don't know many places outside of Hickory Park. Any sports bars you'd recommend?

Thanks!
And for the first time officially: Go Cyclones! (I may have to set up a new account on here and change my name)

Stop cheering for Iowa.

 

[cyclone87]

Hello everyone,
I stop by here every once in awhile to see how everything in Cyclone country is going (more frequently when UNI and ISU are playing). Congrats on the Big 12 championship and the 3-seed!

I actually just accepted a job at Iowa State and my wife and I are looking to move to Ames in the coming weeks. Any recommendations on places to live or any places to avoid - we're looking to start off with an apartment, duplex, or condo to start and will look at buying a house in a year or two.
Also, any recommendations on places to eat. I'm usually only in Ames about once or twice a year so I don't know many places outside of Hickory Park. Any sports bars you'd recommend?

Thanks!
And for the first time officially: Go Cyclones! (I may have to set up a new account on here and change my name)

The Somerset area of Ames (north of the University) has some nice housing options: village apartments, duplexes, single family. Restaurants that come to mind: The Cafe, Dublin Bay, HP, Great Plains, Black Market Pizza (chicago style), Wallaby's, West Street Deli and Downtown Deli for subs/hot sandwiches.

 

[KnappShack]

Keep an extra "burn couch" for VEISHEA just in case you're looking to join in the fun. Eat at Little Taipei whenever possible. Great food and tons of hot chicks

 

[Agclone91]

Apartments can get kind of spendy in Ames but are a great option. Obviously it depends how nice you're looking for but I would say expect anywhere from $700-$1,000/month for a one bedroom and $800-$1,100/ month for a 2 bedroom. As with any college town, general rule of thumb is the more you're willing to pay, the quieter and fewer college parties/loud neighbors you'll probably have to deal with. I don't really know much about house rentals outside of campus town. May be some opportunities there as well.

Hunziker, Jensen, and Haverkamp pretty much own the entire town as far as rentals go. There are a few other small companies but quality varies quite a bit among them. I lived with Haverkamp for 3 years and had a pretty good experience. Also rented from a smaller company called Prarie Oak Properties and would recommend them to anybody. Excellent value and quality for the price.

I would start your search in the Somerset area in North Ames. Nice area that is much more quiet than West Ames.

 

[Angie]

The list is endless for Ames...

Best deli - Downtown Deli
Chinese - House of Chen, second place is Chinese Homestyle Cooking
Italian - :-/, probably GeAngelos is best of what I've tried. Really need to try Plus 39.
Pizza - Great Plains for thick, Joe's Pizza isn't bad, Jeff's Pizza for everything else
Gyros - either gyro dude or Pammel Deli, Flame and Skewer comes in third
Thai - both the Spice and Thai Kitchen
Mexican - The Somerset version of El Azteca
Breakfast - The Grove Cafe
Bar and grill - Wallaby's gets the edge over Dublin Bay since DB changed their menu
Best date restaurant - The Cafe
Best steak - probably Cafe Northwest?? They definitely have best fried pickles, as long as they make sure to get you dill.

 

[cmjh10]

Am I the only one that thinks Great Plains is overrated?

 

[MNCyGuy]

Save some time packing and burn all your purple/black and gold crap before moving. Cy's Locker Room can set you up with a superior new wardrobe once you get settled in.

 

[Agclone91]

Am I the only one that thinks Great Plains is overrated?

No, but I do not agree with you.

 

[Buster28]

Sommerset area is best place to start looking. In addition to having nicer, newer options for living, there is also a Fareway, Casey's (both just north of the immediate area), and the Cafe', Brick City, El Azteca, Black Market Pizza, Plus 39 for restaurants, all within two blocks of one another. Wallaby's will be moving right next door to El Azteca when the building is finished. Plus, it's a straight shot down Stange Road to ISU. It's very easy to drive or take the bus to campus from up there.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Am I the only one that thinks Great Plains is overrated?

I tried it once and left unimpressed

 

[mctallerton]

Am I the only one that thinks Great Plains is overrated?

I hate you so much right now

 

[ojoe2317]

Living situation: Also avoid the South Duff / South 4th area for apartments. If Ames has an armpit, that's it.

Great Plains pizza: Denver crust only. If you haven't had the Denver crust, you can't say GP isn't good.

 

[cmjh10]

I hate you so much right now

 

[Angie]

Am I the only one that thinks Great Plains is overrated?

I do think it is, but we don't have a ton of GREAT pizza in Ames.