$267,653Average Value$210Average Price per Sq Ft53Homes For Sale
Building Beaverdale in northwest Des Moines
Northwest Des Moines’ Beaverdale neighborhood began to take shape and blossom once the old Fort Dodge State Road transitioned to Beaver Avenue in 1903. But it was at the height of the Great Depression when contractor E.T. McMurray built what would become the neighborhood’s most instantly recognizable feature. “Beaverdale was one of the first suburbs of Des Moines, and you'll see homes that look like gingerbread houses,” says Liz Lashier, Realtor with NextHome Your Way who has sold homes throughout the Des Moines metro area. “They’re all unique. It’s called the ‘Beaverdale Brick.’”
These Tudor Revival homes are a tourist attraction at certain points of the year and a historic scene-setter for residents walking to the neighborhood’s staple businesses and restaurants. “We're a small circle within the already small city of Des Moines,” says Alan Tyson, bookseller and social media manager for Beaverdale Books. With a strong neighborhood association putting on annual events, Beaverdale is both one of the largest recognized neighborhoods in the greater metropolitan area and a center for Des Moines community engagement, at times sleepy and at others teeming with visitors.
Welcome signs in Beaverdale reflect the area’s friendly and inviting atmosphere.
Quiet roads and lush greenery define the scenic beauty of Beaverdale.
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Tudor-style Beaverdale bricks and beyond
Beaverdale’s signature home style occupies many of its residential streets, and options are often snatched up within a month when they enter the market. “From a real estate perspective people love to own a Beaverdale Brick because it's just full of magic,” says Willett-Rohrssen. “When an owner needs their front door replaced, people are like, ‘No, you need to repair it, you need to keep that work.’ They'll have these great big locks with the huge old keys and rounded tops. You just can't find that kind of architecture anymore.” These Tudor Revivals range in size from cottage-style 3-bedrooms, with prices ranging from $230,000 to $430,000 depending on size and condition. “Your kitchen might only fit one person, and your closet might fit 3 dresses,” says Willett-Rohrssen. “But it's different for each person.”
Minimal traditional cottages, Cape Cods and colonial-style homes are also common, with prices trending lower from $180,000 to $330,000. Most homes are set back from the street with intricate gardens, stone walkways and other landscaping features rather than front porch space. Most homes have detached garages at the end of long driveways, though some were renovated with one-car attachments.
Beaverdale’s single-story homes offer easy living and timeless architectural appeal.
Brick homes line Beaverdale’s streets, showcasing timeless architecture and cozy charm.
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Holiday lights on Ashby and the Fall Festival
The Beaverdale Bricks on Ashby Avenue and Wallace Lane have been lighting up the holidays for over 50 years. “If you buy a house there, you have to sign to say that you will decorate for Christmas,” Lashier says. “You drive through in a little ‘U’ and all the houses are decorated to the hilt, and with mechanical things. I always wonder, ‘how they ever get out of their houses?’”
The Beaverdale Neighborhood Association also puts on other events throughout the year that attract neighbors and visitors alike. Food vendors, a carnival, trivia, axe throwing, pottery and live music are on the schedule during the Beaverdale Fall Festival in September. The Easter Bunny makes a guest appearance at Beaverdale Park during the annual egg hunt. The weekly Beaverdale Farmers Market showcases local vendors and live music in the Franklin Junior High parking lot.
Live music fills the air at Beaverdale Fall Festival, a seasonal celebration of community.
Beaverdale’s farmers market brings fresh produce and local goods to the heart of the neighborhood.
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Christopher’s, Snookies, and the best Dam Pub in Beaverdale
A mural splashed across the side of Uptempo Music on Beaver Avenue landmarks the community’s shopping district. Painted in 2017 to celebrate the neighborhood’s centennial, the colorful mural shows a large gathering of people, a streetcar train and one of the community’s signature brick homes. Though smaller in scale than other shopping areas in Des Moines like Ingersoll or Grand, a handful of long-standing names recognized throughout the city can be found here. Christopher’s is a revered Italian mainstay still in the same family that opened its doors in 1963. The Dam Pub is both aptly named and large enough to accommodate groups on a Friday night, with bar bites served at indoor booths and a rooftop balcony lit with string lights. A fast-moving line wraps around Snookies Malt Shop when the vintage parlor is open in the warmer months. Other restaurants took hold at different corners of the neighborhood; patrons smell the smoker from a block away before reaching Flying Mango, as seen on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives for its Cajun and Caribbean fare.
Beaverdale Books is a locally owned establishment with a wall of Iowa native authors and tables of both niche community works and frontline novels. An Ace Hardware and Fareway Meat Market are also on Beaver Avenue, and multiple Hy-Vee Grocery Store locations within 1 to 2 miles of most residential streets. Fast food chains like Dunkin and Chipotle surround the Target at Merle Hay Mall, 2 to 3 miles northwest of Beaverdale.
Christopher's in Beaverdale is a Des Moines staple for homemade Italian dishes.
The rooftop at The Dam Pub in Beaverdale is perfect for relaxing with friends and cocktails.
Basic Bird in Beaverdale draws crowds with crispy Korean fried chicken and bold flavors.
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Commuting throughout DSM from Beaverdale
Beaverdale is surrounded by the “Urban Loop,” a circle of interstates taking drivers to most corners of the metro area. Beaverdale residents can enter at the south end of their neighborhood on Interstate 235 and make the 4-mile commute to downtown Des Moines, or they can skip occasional interstate traffic and pass through northside neighborhoods on Hickman Road and Keosauqua Way. Healthcare workers may be able to stay local, with Des Moines VA Medical Center at their northeast corner. Urgent care services are at Broadlawns Medical Center, 1.5 miles away; MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and the associated children’s hospital cover other needs from the downtown campus, 3.5 miles away.
Beaverdale gets a Walk Score of 70 out of 100, and many residents are within walking distance of nearby shops and restaurants. Cyclists share the road by using neighborhood bike lanes on Beaverdale Avenue north to south, and Urbandale Avenue east to west. The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority—known locally as DART—also has stops along major roads, some with benches and shelters. The Des Moines International Airport is less than 10 miles south of the neighborhood, and construction is in progress on a brand-new terminal set to partially open in 2026.
Walking to Ashby Park or biking to Saylorville Lake
Beaverdale has multiple parks, and most residents are within walking distance of one or more. Beaverdale Park and Ashby Park occupy the northern region of the neighborhood and include open fields, basketball courts and playgrounds. Witmer Park lies in the southeast corner of Beaverdale and features an extensive looping trail and a pond often used for fishing. The nearby Merle Hay Mall is home to Flix Brewhouse—a movie theater with a wide menu of drinks and grub—as well as indoor pickleball courts and laser tag for snowy Des Moines winters or rainy spring afternoons.
Bike lanes also trace through the neighborhood, connecting cyclists to the wider trail network that unites the DSM. By heading east to the Inter-Urban Trail, they can bike along the Des Moines River and travel 13.5 miles north to vast Saylorville Lake in Ankeny, or 7 miles south to Grays Lake Park.
Public art at Ashby Park adds color and creativity to Beaverdale’s green spaces.
Beaverdale’s Ashby Park offers shaded picnic tables perfect for a relaxing outdoor lunch.
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Des Moines schools in Beaverdale
The Des Moines Independent Community School District has served Beaverdale for over 100 years. Kids are zoned for one of a few schools at each grade level depending on home address, though parents can apply for a within-district transfer the year prior to enrollment. Moore Elementary School and Hillis Elementary School each score a C on Niche, while Perkins Elementary School scores a B-minus. Merrill Middle School scores a C, while Meredith Middle School scores a C-minus. Meredith is also a recognized International Baccalaureate World School, along with Hoover High School, scoring a C-plus. The Gothic-style Roosevelt High School building has spots on both the Iowa and National Register of Historic Places; the school scores a B from Niche. Both Hoover Huskies and Roosevelt Roughriders can complete Advance Career Training Programs downtown at Des Moines’ Central Campus for community college credit. Des Moines is also home to many private and faith-based options, like Holy Trinity Catholic Church & School on Beaver Avenue, which serves kindergarten through Grade 8.
Hoover High School supports students from Beaverdale and nearby Des Moines communities.
Meredith Middle School in Beaverdale nurtures artistic talent and creative expression.
Moore Elementary’s entrance in Beaverdale welcomes students with pride and positivity.
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.
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Beaverdale Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Beaverdale, Des Moines sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Beaverdale, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $264,000, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Move-in ready home with charm, space, and a fantastic location! Big yard, cozy vibes, and steps from Beaverdale favorites! This 4bed 2bath split-level home sits on a generous lot with a private backyard perfect for relaxing, entertaining, or enjoying a little extra space in the city. The living areas provide flexibility for everyday living and hosting, while the bedrooms offer plenty of room to
Beaverdale beauty! Nicely updated throughout with great curb appeal. The exterior boasts professional designed front patio and landscape. Maintenance free vinyl siding and new roof in 2019. Large fully fenced back yard with mature trees. Walk in the front door to original hardwood floors, oversized windows (updated) with lots of natural light. 2 bedrooms and remodeled bathroom. Dining area with
Discover a prime investment opportunity with this well-maintained two-unit duplex. Each unit features 1 spacious bedroom and a full bath, offering comfortable living for tenants. Ideal for investors seeking consistent rental income, this property is located in a highly desirable area with convenient access to shopping, parks, and top-rated schools. Whether you’re looking to expand your portfolio
Introducing our modern 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment located in the heart of Des Moines, IA. This apartment features a spacious balcony perfect for enjoying the fresh air, individual furnace and A/C for personalized comfort, a primary suite for added privacy, and an open kitchen-living room layout ideal for entertaining guests. Additionally, residents will have the convenience of coin laundry
Single- family home located at 2415 44th St, Des Moines, IA 50310 has two Bedroom, one bathroom. The house is located near Beaverdale area. Features full basement, front porch, fenced in yard, double garage, and full driveway. Seeking 12-24 month lease agreement. No smoking inside the home. Residents are responsible for mainting lawn care maintenance and snow removal, and pay all utilities.
3711 37th St, Des Moines, IowaAvailable for immediate move-in!!Check out this cute 3 bedroom 2 bathroom Beaverdale home!! Property is conveniently located just of Douglas Ave in the Beaverdale, minutes from the VA hospital, Beaverdale Park as well as many local shops, restaurants and small businesses. Property features all new paint throughout with new window treatments!
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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.
