Des Moines Neighborhoods
Where is the best place to live in Des Moines, Iowa?
As the largest city in the state and in the Greater Des Moines (DSM) region, Des Moines offers an array of neighborhoods. It’s also surrounded by unique suburbs, charming small towns and rural communities. Across the DSM region, you’ll find some of the best neighborhoods to live in. Here we break down where to live in Des Moines and where to connect with Des Moines neighbors across the city. The city of Des Moines is covered by a network of neighborhood associations that support neighborhood projects, provide opportunities to meet others and to grow and improve the city first-hand.
Best Des Moines Neighborhoods
Beaverdale: Known for its “Beaverdale Brick” homes (cute cottage and bungalow style residences clad in, you guessed it, brick), Beaverdale brings the charm. Its central location also makes it one of the best places to live in Des Moines. The neighborhood has a strong sense of community, spacious parks with plenty of green space and walking trails and is easily accessible from Downtown and West Des Moines. Events like the DSM Book Festival at Beaverdale Books and the annual Beaverdale Fall Festival make Beaverdale an engaged Des Moines neighborhood.
Connect: The Beaverdale Neighborhood Association works hard to uplift its community through events and by supporting local businesses.
Downtown: Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is home to a variety of its own neighborhoods, including popular spots like Gray’s Lake, Historic Court District, Historic East Village, Market District, Sherman Hill and Western Gateway. The Drake neighborhood is also on the outer boundary for Downtown.
Connect: The Downtown Neighborhood Association is responsible for enhancing living in Downtown DSM through socializing at events, collaborating on projects and more.
Easter Lake: For those who want to get a little further out from the hustle and bustle of Gray’s Lake in Downtown DSM, the Easter Lake neighborhood is the perfect alternative. With its 165-acre lake and four-mile Mark C. Ackelson Trail, if you love the great outdoors, this neighborhood is for you! Newer developments lend a suburban feel to the neighborhood.
Connect: The Easter Lake Neighborhood Association continues to grow its community through projects like the Athene North Shore Recreation Area at Easter Lake.
Highland Park / Oak Park: The Highland Park / Oak Park neighborhood is ever-growing. Make your home in this area and you’ll enjoy walking to local shops and restaurants like Chuck’s, The Slow Down Coffee Co., The Little Book and Cha Cha’s Hiland Bakery. Don’t miss the local events like the Northside Market, which really capture the cozy, happening vibe of this Des Moines neighborhood.
Connect: The Highland Park / Oak Park Neighborhood Association connects neighbors to community resources and opportunities.
Ingersoll / North of Grand: Ingersoll Park extends from 42nd to 46th Streets, while the historic North of Grand neighborhood sprawls from 31st to 42nd Street. This area is home to Ingersoll Live and The Peppermint Trail, and the shopping and dining district for this neighborhood is known as The Avenues. The walkable neighborhood housing stock is primarily century old homes in a variety of styles.
Connect: Find out more from Ingersoll Park Neighborhood Association (the smallest neighborhood association in Des Moines!) and North of Grand Neighborhood Association.
South of Grand: This beautiful historic area is located near Ashworth Park and Greenwood Park. Its close proximity to the beautiful Salisbury House and Gardens and the iconic Des Moines Art Center make this neighborhood both a cultural space as well as a recreational one. Between stately homes from Des Moines’ earliest years, you’ll find the cutest cottages and ranches with big backyards and towering trees.
Connect: The Salisbury Oaks Neighborhood Association is where South of Grand neighbors connect to promote and improve this area.
Southside Neighborhoods: South of Downtown DSM, you’ll find the Southwestern Hills, Watrous Heights, and Gray’s Lake. Housing density is a little sparser in Southwestern Hills and Watrous Heights, while Gray’s Lake offers new construction condos and apartments. The south side pride is strong here — so stop by MacRae Park’s 96-foot-long EMC Overlook to snap a photo and show your own pride for this great neighborhood!
Connect: Find all you need to know about this area of Des Moines from the Southwestern Hills Neighborhood Association, the Watrous Heights Neighborhood Association and the Gray’s Lake Neighborhood Association.
Waterbury: Located four miles from Downtown DSM, the Waterbury neighborhood resides between I-235 (the interstate that runs across the length of the DSM metro area) and major Des Moines thoroughfares like Polk Boulevard, Grand Avenue and 63rd Street. The accessibility is rivaled only by the historic layers of the neighborhood. Everything from century-old Tudors to mid-century modern ranches and new construction dot the winding roads of Waterbury.
Connect: Learn more about the Waterbury Neighborhood Association and how it enhances life for its residents.
Waveland: Try Waveland Café, the neighborhood diner serving up breakfast skillets, burgers and more, stop by a Drake Observatory public event or take a Glendale Cemetery tour in this Des Moines neighborhood. Every year, a Twilight Run is offered along the Waveland Golf Course, too. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy in the Waveland neighborhood! Housing in the neighborhood is primarily post-World War II ranches and Cape Cod-meets-Midwest charmers.
Connect: The Waveland Park Neighborhood Association works to keep the Waveland neighborhood a desirable place to live.
And don’t forget, these are just the neighborhoods in the city of Des Moines. There are a number of options throughout the region, which encompasses 12 counties and more than 28 cities and towns. Check out all the places to live in the DSM region has to offer and find your fit.
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