Looking to Relocate to Des Moines or West Des Moines (Urbandale: apartment, condo)

[illinois04]

Hi I am looking to relocate to Des Moines or West Des Moines. I have lived in Sioux city Iowa 10 years. I came here from Chicago and I am by no means going back there. Just wonder which is best for my children West Des Moines or Des Moines. I have 2 teen aged boys who are doing very well here in school and my 16 year old works. I want to relocate some where nice where they are not people trying to get them into gangs and shootings. We are African American I work here at the the hospital so I could do an internal transfer to the hospital there. Please advise me which is the better place to relocate and which would be best for my boys. We are just looking for a change.

[capitalcityguy]

I think the west and northwest side of Des Moines proper offers you a lot of options that should work as well as anywhere in West Des Moines. I think it depends more on whether you'd be more comfortable in a suburban environment or more traditional city neighborhoods.

[fezzador]

It all depends on what you're looking for. If diversity is a make-or-break for you, then I would probably choose DSM proper. Most DSM proper public schools are quite diverse, some of which are close to 50% (combined) African American and Latino. The quality of the schools are decent, but generally not quite as good as the ones in the suburbs. Valley (in WDM) is one of the finest public high schools in the state, and while not as diverse as the DSM high schools, is easily one of the most diverse suburban schools.

It all boils down to personal preference really. The entire DSM metro is VERY safe overall, even the rough parts (the south and east portions of the city) are very tame compared to Chicago.

[johnnymidwest]

Des Moines has some nice areas and some areas to stay away from. The suburbs are pretty nice overall, but don't just limit yourself to West Des Moines. Norwalk, Clive, Urbandale, Johnston, Waukee, Grimes, Johnston, Ankeny, Polk City are all nice, safe suburbs with good school systems. I'd check it all out and see which environment suites your lifestyle. As far as diversity, I find the entire push for forced diversity and racial quotas a racist ideology. We'll stop worrying about "diversity" when we stop constantly focusing on and dwelling on race and skin color all together. The burbs here, though mostly white, are a pretty colorblind society. If you are looking for more of an urban lifestyle, there's an apartment/condo boom downtown right now and a lot going on down there.