West Des Moines feels more suburban than Des Moines, yet it remains connected to city life. It has highly rated schools and two major shopping destinations that draw traffic from the entire metro area. The area keeps pace with its rapidly expanding neighbors like Waukee and Clive, with its well-equipped park system and new projects on the southwest end, from subdivisions to entertainment megaplexes. Several corporate headquarters and college campuses called West Des Moines home.
West Des Moines is the perfect mix of history, progression, and growth.
The miles of trails at Raccoon River Park are great for getting outside with family, friends and pets.
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Where to find condos, townhouses and luxury estates in town
According to Matt Fuelberth, Realtor with Iowa Realty, who hosts the Life in Des Moines, Iowa YouTube channel, each neighborhood has its own unique community. “The Historic Valley Junction area has an old, classic downtown Main Street feel, with houses built in the early 1900s,” he says. Streets of midcentury homes branching off Ashworth Road are also considered the old part of town. Condos, townhouses and single-family homes built in the early 2000s are farther west, along with rare listings for estates over $1 million. The newest tract and custom homes are on the outskirts, and the southwest side towards Norwalk still has some open land to build on.
Valley Junction is home to quaint and historic homes, many of which are over 100 years old.
Some West Des Moines homes are worth well over $1 million.
West Des Moines is brimming with dense housing options like Townhomes and Condos
Condominiums in various sizes and styles are common throughout West Des Moines.
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How West Des Moines compares to nearby suburbs on cost
"The area had a lot of money at the time, so there are these sprawling houses with mature trees," says Liz Lashier, West Des Moines resident and Realtor with NextHome Your Way. "That's also where you’ll probably find the biggest disparity of prices. You'll have an $800,000 house and a $250,000 house—one’s been fixed up and well-maintained, and one needs a lot replaced.” The median price for homes in West Des Moines is in the mid $300,000s—higher than Des Moines’ median in the low $200,000s, but lower than the national average and nearby suburbs like Waukee and Clive, which have medians in the low to mid $400,000s.
Frisbie Park is mostly smaller Ranch style housing, nestled around the neighborhood's namesake park
Older two-story homes can be found throughout the established neighborhoods.
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Students can earn college credit through DMACC programs
While West Des Moines Community School District serves most of the area, some students are zoned for school districts based in Norwalk, Winterset and Waukee. The state offers out-of-district transfers based on availability. Fuelberth says the school system is a major draw to the area. “A lot of times, people are willing to pay premiums and move to the city for West Des Moines’ top-scoring schools,” he says. Tuition-based Dowling Catholic High School is another option. Most high schools—public or private—offer college credit through Des Moines Area Community College’s Career Advantage program. One of six DMACC campuses is in West Des Moines, as well as Des Moines University.
Valley High School is a public high school located in West Des Moines, Iowa.
DMACC West Campus is located in West Des Moines and features a modern, technology-forward building.
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Major employers and clinics cluster near key highway junctions
Most residents choose to get around by car, though the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority provides local bus service, and a vast bike trail system connects the entire region. “It used to be that everybody drove downtown for work, but they've moved a lot of the companies out to the suburbs,” Lashier says. Hy-Vee's corporate headquarters, insurance firms like Athene USA Corporation and a Wells Fargo campus are based here. Branches of The Iowa Clinic, MercyOne and UnityPoint Health are located at the intersection of Interstates 35, 80 and 235, which lead in all directions throughout the metro.
HyVee is one of the area's biggest employers and is headquartered in West Des Moines.
Athene has a beautiful and modern campus west of Jordan Creek Town Center.
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Where to shop and dine from Valley Junction to Jordan Creek
Historic Valley Junction's storefronts house antique and vintage stores, art galleries and restaurants. “It’s kind of an old town neighborhood with buildings that date to the late 1800s to the early 1900s,” says Deb Miller, a Realtor with Iowa Realty. Jordan Creek Town Center is the largest mall in the Des Moines metro with over 150 brands spread across a mixed indoor-outdoor development. Suburban shopping centers are at each corner of West Des Moines, and even these are frequent stops for neighboring communities.
Jordan Creek Town Center is Iowa's largest mall and offers something for everyone.
Historic Valley Junction is a shopping and dining destination.
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Summer farmers markets and live music draw big crowds
West Des Moines also has community events that draw people from all over the metro area. “During the summer, they have a farmers market every Thursday night,” Miller says. “They have live music, food trucks and little vendors who sell things there. It’s a really popular destination in the summertime.”
The Historic Valley Junction Foundation organizes an annual Cinco de Mayo Festival and celebrates the area’s Mexican heritage that harkens back to the city's railroad days. The festival includes live performances, artwork and cultural foods. “They have a Jingle in the Junction event that happens during the holiday season that’s fun,” Miller says. “It brings a lot of people down to shop in that area.”
Written By
Joyelle Ronan
Photography Contributed By
Drew Davis
Video By
Ellie Brown
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lauren Moore,
an experienced agent in this area.
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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On average, homes in West Des Moines, IA sell after 59 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in West Des Moines, IA over the last 12 months is $334,990, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This 3-bedroom, 3-bath end-unit townhome offers the perfect blend of space, functionality, and location! As an end unit, it features additional windows that bring in an abundance of natural light, creating a bright and airy feel throughout. The inviting covered front porch overlooks green space, adding to the cozy and welcoming entry. Inside, you'll find a well-designed layout with neutral
SELLER WILLING TO PAY UP TO ONE YEAR OF HOA DUES!! Welcome to easy living in this well-maintained ranch-style townhome in the desirable Vista Drive community of West Des Moines—where neighbors tend to stay for years thanks to the comfortable lifestyle and convenient location. This move-in ready home features 2 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, including a recently updated en-suite bathroom in the
Third floor unit with vaulted ceilings located in the Jordan Creek area near malls, restaurants, grocery, water park, movie theater and the new Top Golf!! This condo is located in a secured building with elevator to second and third floors, unit includes 1 detached garage stall. Kitchen has granite counter tops with lots of cabinet & counter space. Counter height peninsula with room for seating.
Welcome home to this well-maintained 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence in the heart of West Des Moines! With plenty of space for growing families, this home offers comfortable living areas, a functional layout, and room for everyone to spread out and enjoy.Outside, you'll love the beautiful yard featuring mature trees in both the front and backyard, creating a peaceful setting for outdoor play,
Beautifully remodeled 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in the heart of West Des Moines! Features a brand-new kitchen with quartz countertops, a fully updated main bath with a tiled tub/shower and tile floor, and a second bath with a new shower surround and tile floor. New luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout the living areas and kitchen, new carpet in the bedrooms, new vinyl siding, and a spacious 2-car
A seller-paid 2-1 buydown and a one-year home warranty change the math on 5201 Cody Drive in West Des Moines. On top of a recent price improvement, the buydown lowers the payment in the early years and the warranty protects the first year of ownership. In a market where the monthly payment decides everything, this offer goes straight at it. Inside, a double-door front entry opens to the main
Welcome to this beautifully maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom end-unit townhome in the heart of West Des Moines—offering comfort, style, and low-maintenance living. This light-filled home features a spacious living room with soaring vaulted ceilings and an open-concept layout, seamlessly connecting the living room, dining area, and kitchen—ideal for modern living and entertaining. The main floor
Welcome to Cedar Ridge in West Des Moines built by Oakstone Homes!This stunning corner-lot home offers beautiful curb appeal with a covered front entry and an inviting open floor plan. The popular Oak Plan is a two-story design featuring 1,700 sq ft above grade plus a walkout lower level.Inside, you'll love the oversized Pella windows, 9-foot ceilings, LVP flooring, and stylish lighting
Rare opportunity to purchase over 3.84 acres of prime West Des Moines Real Estate. Ground is currently zoned RM-12, which will allow up to 75 multi family units. Property is located a short distance from bike trails, grocery, shopping, and Raccoon River Park. All information obtained from seller and public records.
Set on a stunning .34-acre walkout lot with gorgeous, elevated views, this Riverside plan by Brenner Built offers nearly 4,000 sq ft of beautifully finished living space. Inside, 10' ceilings and an 11' tray ceiling above the oversized kitchen island create an open, upscale feel. The sun-filled great room features expansive windows that showcase the scenic surroundings. The kitchen impresses with
Updated 4-bedroom ranch home in a family-friendly neighborhood, across from Valley View Aquatic Center and within walking distance of Brookview Elementary. The exterior features stone detailing, maintenance-free vinyl siding, and an inviting front porch. Well-maintained, energy-efficient home. New LVP flooring throughout. Freshly painted. 2 bedrooms, a full bath, and a laundry/mudroom at the
Tucked away on 8.76 private acres in the highly sought-after Booneville area, this one-of-a-kind luxury acreage offers the perfect blend of privacy, recreation, and elevated living just minutes from West Des Moines. Built in 2015, this stunning story-and-a-half home features 6 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, 2,965 living area square feet, additional finished lower level space, and a dedicated exercise
Fully renovated, move-in ready 4-bed, 4.5-bath home with 4,198 finished sq ft combining modern finishes and thoughtful updates throughout. The main level welcomes you with a bright, open layout and a gourmet kitchen featuring an 8-burner Forno oven/range and 60 Inch built-in side by side Forno refrigerator, new cabinetry, countertops, vent hood and microwave—perfect for serious cooking and
Live lavishly at The Cunningham Apartments in West Des Moines, IA. Where upscale design meets copious convenience, that's where you'll find our gorgeous one- and two-bedroom apartments complete with stunning quartz countertops, washers and dryers in unit and large closets. As an exclusive community perk, you'll also enjoy access to our fitness center and swimming pool. Discover a place to live
Brick Towne at Kettlestone is now leasing!!Our community offers spacious one and two-bedroom apartment homes, thoughtfully designed with a combination of modern interior finishes and a classic vintage brick exterior.Conveniently nestled in a residential neighborhood, Brick Towne offers close access to grocery stores, shopping, recreation, restaurants, and schools. Plus, with easy
Updated 2 Bedroom Apartment for Rent – West Des Moines | Pet Friendly | Unit 24Now available! This beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 1-bath second-floor apartment offers comfortable living in a quiet, well-maintained community. Unit 24 features a brand-new private deck, perfect for relaxing or enjoying your morning coffee.The apartment includes a bright, open living space with large windows,
Discover comfortable living at Olde English Village Apartments in Polk County, IA. Our one- and two-bedroom apartment homes offer spacious layouts, practical kitchens, and everyday features designed to make you feel at home. Whether you're relaxing after a long day or enjoying the convenience of nearby shopping, dining, and local attractions, you'll find a welcoming community that fits your
Updated 2 Bedroom Apartment for Rent – West Des Moines | First Floor | Pet Friendly | Unit 4Now available! This beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 1-bath first-floor apartment offers comfort, style, and convenience in a quiet, well-maintained community. Unit 4 features a brand-new walk-in shower and a beautiful fireplace, creating the perfect blend of modern updates and cozy charm.Enjoy a
Come home to nature's best offering of peace, comfort, quality, and style. Welcome to Regency Woods, a serene community where tranquility meets everyday living. Located in West Des Moines, Iowa, our community offers a peaceful retreat while keeping you close to the city's conveniences. Thoughtfully designed residences feature vaulted ceilings, cozy fireplaces, and inviting sunrooms, creating
Experience the perfect blend of comfort and elegance in this beautifully remodeled two-story home located in the heart of West Des Moines. This exquisite property features a spacious and inviting floor plan that includes a spectacular kitchen, complete with modern appliances, custom cabinetry, and a large walk-in pantry, making it a chef's dream. The family room, warm and welcoming, boasts a
Welcome to Sun Prairie & Vista Court Apartments — where thoughtfully designed floorplans and a vibrant amenity package make everyday living feel exceptional. Choose from spacious one-, two-, or three-bedroom layouts featuring modern comforts like energy-efficient appliances, patios or balconies, and internet included in your home, all within a pet-friendly community. Just beyond your front door,
Live the luxe life at Broadmoor at Jordan Creek in West Des Moines. You'll fall in love with the top-of-the-line finishes in every apartment home, from custom cabinetry and granite countertops to super-sized closets, nine-foot ceilings and sleek ceramic tile bathrooms with deep oval soaking tubs.While each apartment boasts its own list of luxe features and amenities, the community as a
Located just off I-235, these pet friendly apartments in West Des Moines, IA are an ideal place to call home. Available floor plans include one and two bedrooms, and offer a fireplace, complete kitchen appliance package, private balcony/patio and controlled access entry. Garage parking is available. Outside your apartment, you'll find an outdoor pool and sun deck, as well as a three hole disc
Experience exceptional living and make every day extraordinary at the sophisticated Sierra Pointe Apartments. From gorgeous granite countertops to large walk-in closets, everything at Sierra Pointe is designed to deliver the lifestyle you truly deserve. Relax in our on-site swimming pool or enjoy the pond, walking trails and beautiful green spaces. Stay fit in our 24-hour health center. Connect
Upscale apartment living is exactly what you'll find at Mansions at Jordan Creek in West Des Moines. This one of a kind community provides a vast array of amenities to complement its luxurious homes. Our one, two and three bedroom apartments are spacious and attractive with 9-foot ceilings with crown molding, and a complete appliance package, including washer and dryer. You'll love the on-site
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