A neighborhood within earshot of Jack Trice Stadium
On college football game days, Oak-Riverside residents are within earshot of the roughly 60,000 screaming fans at Jack Trice Stadium, where the Iowa State Cyclones face off against their Big 12 Conference rivals. But when the team isn’t on the field, the neighborhood offers a tranquil suburban atmosphere within a short drive of commercial options on Ames’ Main Street. “It’s a friendly neighborhood that’s pretty close to everything,” says Realtor Kyle Van Winkle, who sells homes in the neighborhood there with RE/MAX Concepts. “People are always out walking and chatting. A park is nearby, so people like to hang out there.” Oak-Riverside also has direct access to highly rated public schools, including a newly rebuilt high school.
Oak-Riverside residents cheer on the Cyclones at nearby Hilton Coliseum.
These classic bungalows add to the charm of Oak-Riverside’s main corridor.
Oak-Riverside is just blocks from Main Street and its wealth of shops and cafes.
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Dining on Main Street and shopping at North Grand Mall
The neighborhood is several blocks from Ames’ Main Street, a classic downtown filled with local eateries. Vinyl Café sells records and serves espresso drinks while local sing-songwriters play their music. Sweet Caroline’s is an upbeat sports bar where patrons eat burgers between billiards games. Main Street also hosts a weekly farmers market from May through October, including live musical performances and petting zoos.
Just northeast of Oak-Riverside, Wheatsfield Cooperative is a community-owned store with shelves stocked with locally sourced items. About 2 miles from the neighborhood, North Grand Mall has a movie theater and retailers like JCPenney, Kohl’s and Harbor Freight.
Sweet Caroline's is a trendy restaurant just minutes from Oak-Riveside.
Oak-Riverside residents can enjoy an evening stroll through Ames' beautiful downtown.
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Sports is entertainment at Iowa State
Iowa State sporting events are a large source of entertainment for many locals. In addition to events at Jack Trice Stadium, Hilton Coliseum holds around 14,000 basketball, wrestling and gymnastics fans.
Oak-Riverside residents can swing up to the North Grand Cinema in the nearby mall.
Oak-Riverside residents cheer on the Cyclones at nearby Hilton Coliseum.
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A short walk to several greenspaces
Sidewalks lead to O’Neil Park, a neighborhood greenspace with a playground, basketball courts and baseball fields. A paved bike trail branches off the neighborhood’s southwest corner, follows a bridge across Ioway Creek and branches throughout Stuart Smith Park, Brookside Park and Southeast Recreation Complex. Stuart Smith Park has a playground, a picnic area and an open field, while Brookside Park has sports facilities, covered shelters and public restrooms. Southeast Recreation Complex has multiple baseball fields, soccer fields and sand volleyball courts for local leagues.
Just minutes from Oak-Riverside, Brookside Park’s trails are perfect for a jog.
With a playground and open space, O’Neil Park is at the heart of the neighborhood.
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Mature single-family homes
The median single-family home price is around $270,000, about $60,000 below the city’s median price. Prices range from $140,000 to $400,000. Most homes were built between the turn of the 20th century and the 1950s and sit on lots large enough for oak-shaded backyards with gardens and detached garages. There is a mix of craftsman bungalows, ranch styles and shotgun styles. “A lot of the homes have been renovated already, but some need new roofs and updated electrical work,” Winkle says. The majority of residents rent, and short-term rentals are particularly common. “A lot of the homeowners use these houses as Airbnbs for college game days,” says Realtor Jason Jennings, who works with Friedrich Iowa Realty. There are also multiple apartment complexes on Oak-Riverside’s east end. About two daily trains run down the track just north of the neighborhood.
Oak-Riverside’s variety of home styles includes this beautiful Cape Cod gem.
Oak-Riverside’s Foursquares stand strong with timeless design and character.
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The newly built Ames High School
Students who live north of Lincoln Way attend the B-Niche-rated Meeker Elementary, while those who live south of the thoroughfare attend the B-plus-rated Edwards Elementary. Ames Middle School has a B Niche rating, and Ames High School has an A-minus Niche rating. The high school’s new $140 million building was completed in 2022. This top-rated school requires all students to become CPR-certified. Less than a mile from the neighborhood, Iowa State University has roughly 25,600 undergraduates and 4,200 postgraduates. "The closeness to the university is a major draw for buyers," Jennings says.
Oak-Riverside students are proud to call Ames High School home.
Edwards Elementary provides Oak-Riverside families with a great start to education.
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Getting around Ames
Mary Greeley Medical Center is less than 2 miles northeast of the neighborhood.
While the streets do not have bike lanes, the bikeability rating is high because of the uncongested streets and access to a bike trail connecting many of the area's parks. Buses stop along Lincoln Way, connecting residents to the rest of Ames. Des Moines International Airport is about 40 miles north of Oak-Riverside via Interstate 35.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Andrew Bruellman,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
O'Neil Park
Bandshell Park
Brookside Park
Stuart Smith Park
Transit
Airport
Des Moines International
56 min drive
Bus
Lincoln Way & Maple Avenue Westbound
Bus
Lincoln Way & Russell Avenue Westbound
Bus
South 4th Street & South Hazel Avenue
Bus
Lincoln Way & Hazel Avenue Westbound
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Oak-Riverside
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Oak-Riverside, Ames sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Oak-Riverside, Ames over the last 12 months is $256,513, up 13% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Central Ames 2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom apartment. Walking distance from Main Street and local restaurants and shops. A Cyride bus stop is located in front of the building! This location gives residents great access to the local amenities of Ames.1006 Lincoln Way offers a spacious living area with a wood burning fireplace. Units range in square footage between 700 - 890 square feet. Kitchen
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Andrew Bruellman,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
832
Median Age
32
Population under 18
19.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.2%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$59,738
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$79,254
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
84.5%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
37%
Advanced Degrees
16.9%
% Population in Labor Force
69.5%
On par with the national average
65.1%
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
89/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
59/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: 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.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
