Situated halfway between Seattle and Tacoma, along the shores of Puget Sound, Des Moines is a perfect combination of scenic and convenient. Its location near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport makes it a great spot for frequent travelers, while its location on the waterfront makes it a popular landing spot for fishing and boating enthusiasts. "We’re a waterfront community with great views of the sound and the Olympic Mountains, we’re 15 minutes from Seattle, we’ve got great parks, lots of events in the community,” says Tony Hettler, owner and broker at John L. Scott-Des Moines, who has lived in the area for over 35 years. “Basically, we’re just a nice small town that’s close to Seattle.”
Live the ultimate Pacific Northwest waterfront lifestyle in Central Des Moines.
The Des Moines Mariner Sits in the Distance.
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Midcentury homes with views of the Puget Sound
Des Moines offers a range of housing options, from modest single-family homes to upscale waterfront properties. Neighborhoods like North Hill and Redondo-Des Moines feature a combination of midcentury homes and contemporary builds, many with views of Puget Sound or the Olympic Mountains. Townhouses and condominiums are also available, especially near downtown. Housing prices in Des Moines vary, with more affordable homes inland and higher-priced properties near the water. The median price for a single-family home in the city is a little over $600,000, while the median price for a townhouse is $400,000. Due to the city’s proximity to SeaTac, aircraft noise can be an issue for residents in some parts of town. According to the Des Moines Police Department’s 2024 crime statistics, the city’s crime rate stayed mostly level from 2022 to 2023, with only a very slight rise.
This Beachfront Home has Unusually Large Windows and Design Features.
Aerial Overlooking the Zenith Neighborhood and Puget Sound.
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Saltwater State Park and Des Moines Beach Park
Des Moines is well known for its outdoor spaces, particularly along the waterfront. Des Moines Beach Park, adjacent to the marina, offers walking trails, picnic areas and access to the coast. The nearby Des Moines Creek Trail extends through a wooded area and connects to other regional trails. On the other side of the park, the Des Moines Pier is a popular fishing spot. On the south side of town, Saltwater State Park has camping facilities, hiking trails and coast access. Farther south, Redondo Beach's boardwalk and pier offer scenic views and fishing opportunities. The MaST Center Aquarium, located at the pier, provides an educational look at Puget Sound marine life. Weather in the city makes it easy to enjoy the outdoor space. Summers and winters in Des Moines are both mild.
Take a bike ride on the trails at the waterfront in Central Des Moines.
Salt Water State Park in the Central Des Moines area attracts many dog walkers.
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Quaint downtown Des Moines
Shopping and dining can be found along the Pacific Highway on the east side of town and in the city’s waterfront downtown area on the west side. The downtown area is home to a variety of highly rated restaurants, including popular seafood spots Wally’s Chowder House and Anthony’s HomePort. “Anthony’s is kind of a local institution,” says Hettler. “It’s got really great views of the water. Perfect for date night.” The Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market, held seasonally, features local vendors offering fresh produce, crafts and prepared foods.
Have a gourmet dinning experience on the water in Central Des Moines.
Wally's Chowder House is always jam packed with customers enjoying amazing seafood.
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Highline School District and Highline College
The Highline School District serves most of Des Moines and has a B-minus rating on Niche. Highline College, a local community college, is located on the east side of town and has around 17,000 students. Part of its campus serves as a satellite campus for Central Washington University.
At Highline College's Student Union Building near Riverfront, students can relax during lunch.
Main Entrance of Mount Rainier High School In Normandy Park.
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Downtown Des Moines events and entertainment all year
The Waterland Festival held every July in downtown Des Moines features a parade, food vendors and live music, drawing crowds from across the region. Smaller events like outdoor movie nights at Beach Park offer entertainment throughout the year.
Create core memoires with your family at Des Moines Santa Parade.
The MaST Center Aquarium at Redondo Beach lets you examine ocean life through microscopes.
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Interstate 5 to Seattle or Tacoma
The Pacific Highway and Interstate 5 are both located on the east side of town and provide access to Seattle and Tacoma. It’s around 15 miles by car to downtown Seattle and about 20 miles to Tacoma. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the country, is just 4 miles north of Des Moines. The Angle Lake Light Rail Station, located 2 miles north of town, offers a direct route to downtown Seattle and other key destinations, making it a convenient option for commuters.
On average, homes in Des Moines, WA sell after 55 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Des Moines, WA over the last 12 months is $399,950, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Tanya Franzen-Garrett is a real estate expert who has been directly involved in the industry for almost a decade. Her background in both corporate international and domestic sales sets her apart as she brings with her the understanding of various cultures and negotiating styles.
Tanya is part of The Sound-Properties Team and specializes in the Eastside of the Puget Sound Area. With vast knowledge and unyielding professionalism, Tanya prides herself on not only listening to her client's needs and wants, but by also setting clear goals and expectations up front. In all of Tanya's transactions she prioritizes communication, clarifying every situation and avoiding assumptions in order to mitigate frustration for all parties. She is an open, honest, kind, and ethical person, who is dedicated to her clients and to the process. Tanya is always up to date with the current market trends as well as the newest rules and regulations.
Outside of her professional life, Tanya enjoys spending time with her family, is the President of her Community Association, is a member of the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club, is on the Board of Directors for the PTSA and loves volunteering for local schools. Helping people and being involved in her community is one of her passions and much of what she loves about Real Estate.
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.
