- Public SchoolsB-
- Crime & SafetyC
- HousingB-
- NightlifeA-
- Good for FamiliesB+
- DiversityA
- JobsB
- WeatherB-
- Cost of LivingB+
- Health & FitnessB+
- Outdoor ActivitiesB
- CommuteA
Real Estate
Median Home Value
$117,800
National
$178,600Median Rent
$754
National
$928- Public Schools
- Private Schools
- Colleges
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety
C
Based on violent and property crime rates.
Residents
Diversity
A
Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
Median Household Income
$46,290
National
$53,889Children
22%
Des Moines Reviews
80 reviews
All Categories
I love Des Moines, Iowa. With the beautiful city scape and river passing on the downtown edge, there is always a beautiful sunrise or sunset. Many of the people you meet are welcoming and helpful, has that small town feel within a city atmosphere. Travel twenty minutes outside of Des Moines and you have beautiful landscapes of farms. I lived downtown for two years and loved every moment, always something to do, eat, or see!
I moved to Des Moines, Iowa about 5 years ago from San Francisco, CA. I was skeptical at first as I was coming from a very diverse and cultural environment where the food was excellent, the entertainment top notch and the cultural fluent.
After a few months, I began feeling comfortable and ventured out to explore the city. I found art and theater as well as excellent food and unique fare. I became involved in many social activities and began making friends. I discovered that Des Moines had so much to offer for all ages. The best part for me are the seasons. The beauty of fall, the snow of winter, the flowers in spring and the warm summer evenings welcomed a stranger like me.
I have experienced so much here that I could actually say is much more of an improvement than my previous home. Des Moines is laid back, welcoming, cost effective and a great place to raise children. The healthcare is incredible and the educational opportunities are among the best in the country.
After a few months, I began feeling comfortable and ventured out to explore the city. I found art and theater as well as excellent food and unique fare. I became involved in many social activities and began making friends. I discovered that Des Moines had so much to offer for all ages. The best part for me are the seasons. The beauty of fall, the snow of winter, the flowers in spring and the warm summer evenings welcomed a stranger like me.
I have experienced so much here that I could actually say is much more of an improvement than my previous home. Des Moines is laid back, welcoming, cost effective and a great place to raise children. The healthcare is incredible and the educational opportunities are among the best in the country.
I have lived in the Beaverdale area for almost two years now. It is a lovely area but it seems incidence of crime has been on the rise. It makes for an unsafe feeling for a single female who lives by herself. The city of Des Moines (downtown) has many growing opportunities for employment, night life, activity, etc so it is a shame to feel there are areas of violence. The Drake area (where I attend college) seems to be an area of crime as well. I would really like students to feel safe while attending Drake and would like crime rates to stay down. The public schools are very diverse and not as wealthy as the suburban schools of Waukee and West Des Moines but they still attempt to do the best they can with what they have.