The Best Neighborhoods in Des Moines, Iowa

The Best Neighborhoods in Des Moines, Iowa

Skyline of Des Moines, Iowa

Considering a move to Des Moines, Iowa? Choosing the right neighborhood in an unfamiliar city can be challenging, but we’re here to help. From Beaverdale to South Park, Des Moines offers a variety of neighborhoods to suit your needs. We’ll also discuss moving costs and a Des Moines area moving company. Let’s get you ready for your move!

Graphic reading, "Moving blog, the best neighborhoods in Des Moines, Iowa"

Beaverdale

Beaverdale, located northwest of downtown Des Moines, is renowned for its charming historic red brick homes and abundant green spaces. This neighborhood features a mix of single-family homes and townhouses, along with 50 acres of public parks, including Ashby, Beaverdale, and Witmer. These parks offer amenities like picnic areas, baseball diamonds, volleyball and tennis courts, wading pools, playgrounds, and more.

As the largest established neighborhood in Des Moines, Beaverdale spans 143 city blocks. The median home price is $220,709, while the median rent is $1,036 per month.

Capitol East

Capitol East, one of Des Moines’ oldest neighborhoods, is conveniently located near major attractions like the State Capitol and the State Historical Museum. Visitors can explore the museum’s exhibitions and collections to experience Iowa’s history and heritage.

The neighborhood offers a blend of older homes and modern living options, making it a diverse residential area. The median home value is $83,011, while the median apartment rent is $917 per month.

Downtown Des Moines

Located in the heart of the city, Downtown Des Moines offers a vibrant mix of shopping, dining, and outdoor activities along the Des Moines River. This neighborhood is home to popular attractions like the Science Center of Iowa and Pappajohn Sculpture Park, ensuring there’s always something to enjoy.

With its appeal, housing in Downtown Des Moines tends to be pricier. The median home price is $303,660, and the median rent is $1,132 per month. Expect to find plenty of condos and high-rise apartments in this bustling urban area.

Highland Park

Sign above entrance of Oak Park and Highland Park

Located just north of Downtown, Highland Park is a primarily residential neighborhood. Like its namesake hints, the Highland Park neighborhood is home to two large parks: Highland Park and Oak Park.

This Des Moines neighborhood is primarily single-family homes and a few apartments. Most of the residents own their homes, with only around 30% of residents renting. The median home price is $122,142 and the median rent is $1,016 per month.

Historic East Village

The Historic East Village, located across the Des Moines River, is known for its historic charm and vibrant atmosphere. This neighborhood is packed with shops, restaurants, and attractions, including Wooly’s concert venue and the Simon Estes Amphitheater, perfect for enjoying the arts.

Housing in the Historic East Village tends to be more expensive, with a mix of modern apartments and Victorian-style homes. The median home price is $529,400, and the average rent is $1,159 per month.

North of Grand

North of Grand, located west of downtown, has a charming feel with its tree-lined streets and easy access to attractions like the Des Moines Art Center and Salisbury House and Gardens. This neighborhood offers plenty of opportunities for exploration and cultural experiences.

North of Grand is home to a mix of people from young professionals to retirees. The median home price is $197,043 and the median rent is $902 per month. The majority of people living in this neighborhood rent their homes.

Looking to move soon?

Check out UniMovers and save 30-50% on your move as compared with traditional moving!

River Bend

The River Bend neighborhood, situated along the Des Moines River, is primarily residential and offers plenty of outdoor activities. Residents can enjoy scenic river walks or spend time at Crocker Woods Park and Birdland Park.

With a mix of apartments and single-family homes, River Bend caters to a range of budgets and lifestyles. The median home value is $155,719, and the median rent is $816 per month.

South Park

Front gate of Blank Park Zoo

South Park, true to its name, is known for its abundance of local parks and its residential, family-friendly atmosphere. Families can enjoy several parks within walking distance, as well as nearby attractions like Blank Park Zoo and Easter Lake Park.

This neighborhood features a mix of apartments and single-family homes, making it ideal for families. The median home price is $146,499, while the median rent is $814 per month.

Moving to Des Moines

Ready to make the move to Des Moines? After you decide what neighborhood you want to call home, it’s time to plan your move. Let’s talk about what moving companies are in Des Moines and what the cost of moving there may look like.

UniMovers

UniMovers is a labor-only moving company in the Des Moines area. As a labor-only moving company, they help with all the heavy lifting parts of your move. This includes loading and unloading your moving truck, moving items into your home, rearranging furniture, and more. Hiring labor-only movers may save you money, 40-60% cheaper than traditional full-service moving services.

Cost of Moving to Des Moines

Let’s talk about the cost of moving to Des Moines. To give you some estimates, here are UniMovers rates for hiring labor-only movers for your move.

MoversRates (per hour)
2$120 per hour
3$180 per hour
4$240 per hour
5$300 per hour
6$360 per hour

Conclusion

Graphic of the median home prices and rent in the top Des Moines, IA neighborhoods

Moving to Des Moines, Iowa, offers a variety of neighborhood options to suit different lifestyles. Families will appreciate neighborhoods near the city’s many parks, while those seeking a vibrant urban experience can choose areas close to downtown with easy access to shops and restaurants. For fans of historic charm, Des Moines also features neighborhoods with Victorian-style homes.

The cost of moving to Des Moines will vary depending on what moving company you choose, but planning ahead will allow you to properly budget. No matter what Des Moines neighborhood you choose or what moving company you hire, moving to Des Moines will provide you with many new opportunities.  

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Jessica is a students at the University of Northern Iowa. She is majoring in English Education with a creative writing minor. In her free time she loves to read books of every genre, write short stories, and spend time with friends. In the future she hopes to share her love for reading and writing with her future students.