$295,930Average Value$206Average Price per Sq Ft10Homes For Sale
First-time homebuyers and long-time residents
Waveland Park earns the "park" half of its name, considering more than half of the neighborhood is rolling hills, trees and green space. A large cemetery and 18-hole golf course are on the western half, but the eastern half is not void of greenery itself. "The area has old homes and equally as old trees," says Martha Miller Johnson, a Realtor and Broker with RE/MAX who has been selling in the area for nine years. Residents like to get outside, taking to the area's bike lanes, walking trails and sidewalks. Downtown Des Moines is 5 miles away, but the neighborhood has plenty of restaurants and recreation to keep residents busy. Public schools are within walking distance of the 1,500 homes that make up Waveland Park, and shopping centers are within a short drive or bus ride. Only adding to the neighborhood's desirability, the average price of homes is slightly below the Des Moines Metro average but significantly below the U. S. average. The average household income of Waveland Park is significantly higher than the national average, as is the number of college graduates and advanced degree holders. "It really is a great spot to buy a first or final home given the strong sense of community," Miller Johnson says.
Waveland Park residents take pride in their neighborhood.
Waveland Park is a quiet residential neighborhood west of Downtown Des Moines..
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Biking and running on the Waveland Trail
Neighbors gather over a shared hobby at Franklin Field Park. With nearly 200 community garden plots, the rich scent of soil and bright colors of vegetables fill the space. Waveland Trail starts by the community garden and runs along the neighborhood's western border. Passing the cemetery and Waveland Golf Course, the paved trail lets residents walk, run and bike off the streets. Waveland Golf Course takes up nearly a third of the neighborhood and opened in 1901. The Drake Municipal Observatory, which is on the course, is part of Drake University and hosts public lectures periodically throughout the year. At McCollum-Waveland Tennis Complex, 12 outdoor tennis courts are crowded after work and on the weekends with players taking lessons, participating in leagues or playing pick-up matches.
The courts at the McCollum-Waveland Tennis Complex are accessible for the public to use.
Waveland Golf Course entrance
Nearby Waveland Golf Course provides Waveland Park residents with lots of recreation activities.
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1900s homes with curb appeal
Single-family homes built in the first half of the 20th century line the tree-filled streets of Waveland Park. One-story bungalows and cottages sit at the top of elevated lawns, ranging in price from $130,000 to $275,000. Dutch Revivals, Tudor-style homes and American Foursquares sell anywhere from $285,000 to $430,000. Sidewalks are standard on the gridded streets where lots are equally spaced. The average yard is less than one-fifth of an acre. Still, residents have no issue utilizing their space and adding curb appeal. Pools and patios accompany detached garages behind the homes, while garden beds and stone pathways decorate the fronts. Homes on and around California Drive have a little extra flare and a higher price point to match. Walkways lead to brick Tudor and Colonial Revivals valued between $400,000 and $750,000. According to Miller Johnson, houses sell fast, and once people buy there, they usually stay a while. "There's a good mix of first-time homebuyers and people who have lived there for 50 or 60 years," she says.
Classic craftsman bungalows are a Waveland Park staple.
Rows of quaint bungalows can be seen throughout Waveland Park.
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Public schools within walking distance
Students attend Des Moines Independent Community School District, locally known as Des Moines Public Schools. "The schools are great, and there is a strong sense of community," Miller Johnson says. Students living north of University Ave can begin learning at Perkins Elementary School, which earns a B-minus rating from Niche. Those living south of University Ave can attend C-plus-rated Hubbell Elementary, which is in the neighborhood and a short walk away. Hubbell Elementary is next door to Roosevelt High School, where most students finish their education. The high school is rated a B with a diversity rating of A-plus. It also offers a dual-enrollment program where students can earn college credit from Des Moines Area Community College. Before attending Roosevelt, students attend Merrill Middle School, rated a C and only 1 mile south of Interstate 235, which borders Waveland Park to the south.
The main entrance to Hubbell Elementary stands proud as beacon where local kids can learn.
The Roosevelt High School main entrance emanates with the history that flows through its halls.
Hubbell Elementary has plenty of outdoor space to allow students to make the most of recess.
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Bike paths and bus lines to Downtown Des Moines
The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority, has several bus stops along Franklin Ave and University Ave, including a stop at Roosevelt High School. DART partners with the school system to offer discounted fares to all students, although some are eligible for free rides. "Des Moines has a wonderful system of bike trails, and a few of those trails and paved paths go right through Waveland Park," Miller Johnson says. "Downtown is bikeable because it's only 5 miles away." Des Moines International Airport is 8 miles south with direct flights to 30 U.S. destinations and connections to international destinations. Interstate 235 is the main highway in and out of Des Moines and runs directly south of Waveland Park. The neighborhood has snowy winters, but Miller Johnson says, "It doesn't stop us. Things slow down, of course, but the city is great at managing and clearing the snow."
Waverly Park residents are never too far from anything with Interstate 235 so close by.
Waveland Park is served by the DART bus system, connecting it to the rest of the city.
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Breakfast at Waveland Café
Waveland Café is known for its breakfast – especially its hashbrowns. "We go through three tons a month," says David "Stoney" Stone, who has owned Waveland Cafe since 1990. Many employees have worked at the café in the middle of the neighborhood for over 20 years and have built a rapport with regulars that Stone says is "Very similar to Cheers." Rows of individually unique mugs hang by hooks on the walls, and patrons choose their mug of the day from which to sip their coffee. La Mie Bakery is at the neighborhood's southeastern end, and the French name translates to "The Crumb." Highly rated online, the bakery is known for its fresh pastries and bread but also offers grab-and-go salads, sandwiches and other prepared meals. Sam's Club and Aldi are 2 miles west along University Ave for grocery trips, and Walmart shares the same plaza.
World-famous Waveland Cafe gives Waveland Park residents a taste ofthe be breakfastcuisine.
Waveland Park residents love to start their mornings at the Waveland Cafe.
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Neighborhood association involvement
The Waveland Park Neighborhood Association plans events, including a holiday light contest and an architectural tour that starts at Glendale Cemetery. The association also enforces and participates in the Des Moines stormwater management initiatives. The program reimburses half the cost of management projects, up to $2,000, for installing rain barrels or using native landscaping to reduce water pollution. Waveland Park has introduced some of its own projects, such as setting up bioswales and landscape features that collect and filter stormwater. National Night Out is a nationwide event where locals can meet with law enforcement representatives to discuss crime prevention and promote connections between communities and their police. "Waterbury and Waveland Park came together at the high school for the event this past year," Miller Johnson says. "There were people with grey hair and many young children, too."
Local bands play Nights in the Heights at Colby Park all summer, minutes from Waveland Park.
Waveland Park residents can enjoy live music in the summer at nearby Colby Park.
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
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Waveland Park
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Waveland Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Waveland Park, Des Moines sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Waveland Park, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $242,000, down 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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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.
