Historic Old Town
Relatively affordable single-family homes
“It’s a very nice place to live,” says Realtor Gina McAndrews, who sells property in the neighborhood with Century 21 Signature Real Estate. “These homes are unique; they have lots of character, and they are in close proximity to some of the city’s best amenities.” There is a mix of Italianate homes, Colonial Revivals and Late Victorians. Most houses were built between the 1880s and the 1930s. Because the neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, cosmetic changes to many of the buildings are regulated. Some houses have large front porches overlooking the sidewalks, which are shaded by old-growth trees. Picket fences enclose the backyards, where there are often gardens and detached garages. Home prices range from $110,000 to $360,000, meaning that almost all properties fall below the city’s median price. “In large part, I think people are drawn to the affordability of the neighborhood,” says Realtor Nancy Marion, who sells homes there with RE/MAX Concepts. The neighborhood also has nine apartment buildings and condos built between the 1960s and the ‘90s. Some of the streets face a flood risk.Dining in downtown Ames
Restaurants line downtown Main Street, which is directly south of the neighborhood. Folks often start their days at Morning Bell Coffee Roasters, a worker-owned shop that serves locally made treats and brews prepared with in-house roasted beans. For something a little stronger, Whiskey River is a rustic bar with a neon-lit storefront. A little further down the street, The Grove Cafe is a breakfast and lunch diner where patrons can take a stool at the old-fashioned lunch counter. A Fareway grocery store is located along the neighborhood’s southern border.Highly rated public schools
The Ames Community School District has an A-minus Niche rating and a 97% graduation rate. Meeker Elementary and Ames Middle each have B Niche ratings, and Ames High School has an A-minus Niche rating. The high school’s new building, which cost $140 million, opened in 2022. The high school’s athletics department has won 93 state championships, and the district is investing $2.5 million in a running track that will be ready for the 2026 season.Iowa State University has about 25,300 undergraduates and 4,200 postgraduates and is less than 2 miles away.
The nearby Ames Community Preschool Center is a not-for-profit childcare facility that has been caring for and educating children from ages 6 weeks through 12 years for over half a century.
Greenspaces within walking distance
Sidewalks lead to Old Towne Park, which has a playground and several benches. The nearby Bandshell Park hosts weekly summer concerts at its 1930s Modern Movement-style band shell, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A few blocks west of Historic Old Town, Brookside Park has baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts and walking trails along Ioway Creek.Educational community spaces
Several educational options are within walking distance of the neighborhood. A block south of the neighborhood, Ames Public Library hosts movie nights for kids, teen reading challenges and conversation circles where people are encouraged to have casual talks in foreign languages. The Ames City Auditorium is a historic building from the 1930s that has hosted presidential candidates like Bernie Sanders, guest lecturers from Iowa State University and performances by traveling dance troupes.Getting around Ames
Directly north of the neighborhood, Mary Greeley Medical Center provides most medical services.Bus stops line Clark Avenue to the neighborhood’s west and Duff Avenue to the neighborhood’s east. “We’ve got really good bus routes,” McAndrews says. “From the downtown, you can get a bus to anywhere in Ames.” Des Moines International Airport is about 40 miles north of Historic Old Town via Interstate 35.



Agents Specializing in this Area
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Brett Mount
CENTURY 21 SIGNATURE-Ames
(515) 305-3680
30 Total Sales
2 in Historic Old Town
$185K - $272K Price Range
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Paul Livingston
Hunziker & Associates, Inc.
(515) 715-4757
102 Total Sales
2 in Historic Old Town
$135K - $430K Price Range
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Kyle Van Winkle
RE/MAX Concepts-Ames
(515) 715-4952
235 Total Sales
1 in Historic Old Town
$130,000 Price
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Marc Olson
Responds QuicklyRe/max Concepts-Nevada
(515) 441-7582
501 Total Sales
1 in Historic Old Town
$209,900 Price
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Tony McFarland
Responds QuicklyFriedrich Iowa Realty
(402) 404-3387
249 Total Sales
2 in Historic Old Town
$210K - $278K Price Range
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Lara Hallgrimsdottir
Responds QuicklyHunziker & Associates, Inc.
(515) 715-4075
145 Total Sales
3 in Historic Old Town
$195K - $380K Price Range
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Historic Old Town | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 4 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
Robbery | 4 | 4 |
Burglary | 5 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
Larceny | 6 | 4 |
Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Historic Old Town Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Historic Old Town, Ames sell after 23 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Historic Old Town, Ames over the last 12 months is $479,223, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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