Clive

With Walnut Creek serenely flowing by, Indian Hills is a residential community with well-maintained homes, outstanding schools and convenient access to area shops and restaurants. “This is a little neighborhood inside the city of Clive,” says Jarod Snover, a local real estate agent who has been servicing the greater Des Moines area at Iowa Realty Mills Crossing. “It is centrally located to the greater Des Moines metro area with easy access to everything, and yet it still maintains a small-town feel.” A quintessential neighborhood with well-maintained homes, tree-lined streets and neatly trimmed lawns, Indian Hills paints a picture of the idyllic suburban lifestyle. “This was one of the first desirable suburbs that took off in the late 1970s and the early 1980s, and the area has retained its charm and character and its community feel,” adds Snover. While many homes are built in two-story Colonial Revival, raised ranch and ranch-style architecture, one will occasionally find a property decorated with moonstone or a more contemporary façade. Most properties are about 1,500 to 2,000 square feet and fall in the price range of $300,000 to $450,000; there are a handful of homes slightly over 3,000 square feet that run closer to $500,000. Young scholars may begin schooling at Crossroads Park Elementary, which has an A-minus Niche rating. Students can then continue to attend Indian Hills Junior High, which is ranked B-plus by Niche. Valley High School provides more than 190 courses and is ranked by Niche as the fourth-best public high school in Iowa with an overall A Niche score. Greenbelt Park has wide open green spaces, access to walking trails and an onsite playground and softball fields. The nearby Clive Aquatic Center is known for its expansive outdoor swimming options and recreational programs. Additional pocket parks such as Karp Park, Rio Valley Park and Walnut Ridge Park are scattered throughout the neighborhood, offering verdant grounds, a play area and sports facilities. The Clive Greenbelt Trail has 11 miles of paved nature trails, where residents can escape the city and enjoy nature. Neighboring parks include Campbell Recreation Area in Clive and Greenwood Park, which provides additional options. Des Moines Golf and Country Club, which is about 5 miles to the west, has two 18-hole golf courses, tennis courts and swimming pools. Fareway Grocery, Target, The Home Depot and Valley West Mall are all located along University Avenue, meeting all kinds of shopping needs right in the neighborhood. Local restaurants include Mi Mexico Restaurant, a casual cantina, and Baker’s Square, which is a family restaurant with casual food and signature baked pies. About 6 miles to the east, Merle Hay Mall has additional department stores, a movie theater and a bowling alley for outings with family and friends. The annual Clive Festival takes place at the Clive Aquatic Center with fireworks, live music and a running contest each July. The Iowa State Fair is an 11-day celebration of the state’s heritage with carnival rides, live shows and performances as well as food from over 90 vendors. Art enthusiasts can attend the annual Des Moines Arts Festival in June, which exhibits artwork from almost 200 local and international artists. Additional highlighted events include the World Food and Music Festival and the 80/35 Music Festival. Residents can take the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) to access the city of Des Moines. Medical centers such as MercyOne Medical Center at West Des Moines and UnityPoint Health - Methodist West Hospital are right by the neighborhood. For travels outside the state, Interstate 80 and Interstate 35 are close by for commuting into Chicago and Minneapolis, respectively. The Des Moines International Airport is about 12 miles away by Fort Des Moines.