Should you live in the heart of the city or one of the metro’s fast-growing suburbs? This guide compares Des Moines vs suburbs so you can make the right call. Should you live in the heart of the city or one of the metro’s fast-growing suburbs? This guide compares Des Moines vs suburbs so you can make the right call. Should you live in the heart of the city or one of the metro’s fast-growing suburbs? This guide compares Des Moines vs suburbs so you can make the right call.
By Blue Cow Moving & Storage | April 17, 2025 By Blue Cow Moving & Storage | April 17, 2025 By Blue Cow Moving & Storage | April 17, 2025
One of the biggest decisions during a move isn’t just which house to choose — it’s where to live. Should you plant roots in downtown Des Moines or explore popular suburbs like Urbandale, Ankeny, or West Des Moines? Understanding the differences between Des Moines vs suburbs can help you decide what best fits your lifestyle. One of the biggest decisions during a move isn’t just which house to choose — it’s where to live. Should you plant roots in downtown Des Moines or explore popular suburbs like Urbandale, Ankeny, or West Des Moines? Understanding the differences between Des Moines vs suburbs can help you decide what best fits your lifestyle. One of the biggest decisions during a move isn’t just which house to choose — it’s where to live. Should you plant roots in downtown Des Moines or explore popular suburbs like Urbandale, Ankeny, or West Des Moines? Understanding the differences between Des Moines vs suburbs can help you decide what best fits your lifestyle.
Living in Des Moines: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Walkability & Transit Access: Close proximity to jobs, events, and downtown nightlife. Public transportation is improving steadily. Close proximity to jobs, events, and downtown nightlife. Public transportation is improving steadily. Close proximity to jobs, events, and downtown nightlife. Public transportation is improving steadily.
- Historic Architecture: Neighborhoods like Sherman Hill and Beaverdale offer unique charm and character. Neighborhoods like Sherman Hill and Beaverdale offer unique charm and character. Neighborhoods like Sherman Hill and Beaverdale offer unique charm and character.
- Cultural Hotspots: Access to Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Art Center, and the Farmers’ Market. Access to Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Art Center, and the Farmers’ Market. Access to Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Art Center, and the Farmers’ Market.
- Affordable Home Options: Depending on the area, Des Moines can offer lower home prices than the suburbs. Depending on the area, Des Moines can offer lower home prices than the suburbs. Depending on the area, Des Moines can offer lower home prices than the suburbs.
Cons
- Maintenance Needs: Older homes often need updates or repairs. Older homes often need updates or repairs. Older homes often need updates or repairs.
- Property Taxes: Typically higher than nearby suburbs. Typically higher than nearby suburbs. Typically higher than nearby suburbs.
- Limited New Builds: If you want new construction, choices may be slim. If you want new construction, choices may be slim. If you want new construction, choices may be slim.
Living in the Des Moines Suburbs: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Top-Rated Schools: Suburbs like Waukee, Ankeny, and Johnston consistently perform well in statewide rankings. Suburbs like Waukee, Ankeny, and Johnston consistently perform well in statewide rankings. Suburbs like Waukee, Ankeny, and Johnston consistently perform well in statewide rankings.
- Modern Homes: Newer construction with energy-efficient layouts is widely available. Newer construction with energy-efficient layouts is widely available. Newer construction with energy-efficient layouts is widely available.
- More Space: Larger yards, newer infrastructure, and quieter streets. Larger yards, newer infrastructure, and quieter streets. Larger yards, newer infrastructure, and quieter streets.
- Family-Focused Amenities: Parks, trails, and community events are a suburban staple. Parks, trails, and community events are a suburban staple. Parks, trails, and community events are a suburban staple.
Cons
- Commute Times: Longer drives if you work downtown. Longer drives if you work downtown. Longer drives if you work downtown.
- Entertainment Access: Fewer nightlife and cultural options compared to downtown Des Moines. Fewer nightlife and cultural options compared to downtown Des Moines. Fewer nightlife and cultural options compared to downtown Des Moines.
- Car Dependency: Less walkability — most errands require a vehicle. Less walkability — most errands require a vehicle. Less walkability — most errands require a vehicle.
Des Moines vs Suburbs: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Des Moines | Suburbs |
|---|---|---|
| Commute | Short if working downtown Short if working downtown Short if working downtown | Longer, more traffic Longer, more traffic Longer, more traffic |
| Schools | Varies by area Varies by area Varies by area | Often higher rated Often higher rated Often higher rated |
| Home Styles | Historic & unique Historic & unique Historic & unique | New builds & HOAs New builds & HOAs New builds & HOAs |
| Walkability | Higher Higher Higher | Lower Lower Lower |
| Nightlife | Plentiful Plentiful Plentiful | Limited Limited Limited |
| Green Space | Urban parks Urban parks Urban parks | Larger lots & trails Larger lots & trails Larger lots & trails |
How to Decide
- Choose Des Moines if you want walkability, culture, and quick commutes. Choose Des Moines if you want walkability, culture, and quick commutes. Choose Des Moines if you want walkability, culture, and quick commutes.
- Choose the Suburbs if you value schools, space, and modern conveniences. Choose the Suburbs if you value schools, space, and modern conveniences. Choose the Suburbs if you value schools, space, and modern conveniences.
Your Local Moving Partner
Blue Cow Moving & Storage has helped thousands of families and professionals transition between city living and suburban life. From downtown lofts to cul-de-sac homes, we offer packing, local moves, and secure storage for every situation. Blue Cow Moving & Storage has helped thousands of families and professionals transition between city living and suburban life. From downtown lofts to cul-de-sac homes, we offer packing, local moves, and secure storage for every situation. Blue Cow Moving & Storage has helped thousands of families and professionals transition between city living and suburban life. From downtown lofts to cul-de-sac homes, we offer packing, local moves, and secure storage for every situation.
Des Moines vs Suburbs Checklist
- Compare commute times and housing types Compare commute times and housing types Compare commute times and housing types
- Tour both urban and suburban neighborhoods Tour both urban and suburban neighborhoods Tour both urban and suburban neighborhoods
- Ask your agent about school boundaries and property taxes Ask your agent about school boundaries and property taxes Ask your agent about school boundaries and property taxes
- Think about lifestyle: nightlife or quiet trails? Think about lifestyle: nightlife or quiet trails? Think about lifestyle: nightlife or quiet trails?
- Schedule your movers 4–6 weeks in advance Schedule your movers 4–6 weeks in advance Schedule your movers 4–6 weeks in advance
