Best Neighborhoods in West Des Moines, IA

West Des Moines is technically a separate city from its neighbor to the east — incorporated independently, spanning parts of Polk, Dallas, and Warren Counties, and operating with its own police department, city services, and tax base. But in the lived experience of the Des Moines metro, West Des Moines occupies a particular position: it is where the region's most complete suburban package comes together. Top-rated schools that genuinely deliver on that designation. More than 60 miles of interconnected trails. Iowa's largest shopping destination. Historic neighborhood character in Valley Junction. Modern master-planned communities near Jordan Creek. And a roster of corporate employers — HyVee, Athene USA, Wells Fargo, EMC Insurance — that makes the city not merely a place to sleep near Des Moines but a genuine employment and commercial destination in its own right.

What makes West Des Moines genuinely interesting to write about is the range within the city. Valley Junction's colorful Victorian-era storefronts and antique shops sit about five miles from Jordan Creek's gleaming Town Center and million-dollar executive homes. Glen Oaks' gated private golf community exists in the same ZIP code as accessible entry-level new construction in Maple Grove. The Raccoon River Park corridor offers a 3,200-acre outdoor recreation destination anchored by a beach, fishing lake, and trail network — all within city limits. West Des Moines is not one neighborhood. It's half a dozen distinct communities that happen to share a school district and a trail system, and the right choice depends heavily on what you're actually looking for.

This guide profiles the six best neighborhoods in West Des Moines — with detailed data on what homes and rentals cost, what safety looks like by area, what daily life involves, and who each community suits best. We've also included a section on 10 Federal Storage's two West Des Moines locations, which serve both sides of the city.

Quick Facts: West Des Moines at a Glance

• Population: ~70,000+ (West Des Moines city); ~725,000 (Des Moines metro)
• County: Spans Polk, Dallas, and Warren Counties, Iowa
• Incorporated: 1893 (originally as Valley Junction; renamed West Des Moines)
• Distance to downtown Des Moines: 7–12 miles depending on neighborhood; I-235 and Grand Avenue are the primary connectors
• Climate: Humid continental; hot, occasionally severe summers; cold winters with meaningful snowfall
• Primary employers (city proper): HyVee (corporate HQ), Athene USA Corporation, Wells Fargo campus, EMC Insurance, The Iowa Clinic, MercyOne, UnityPoint Health — all headquartered or with major campuses in West Des Moines
• Median home price: ~$400,000 (city median); market segments range from $250,000 (Valley Junction entry) to $1M+ (Glen Oaks / Jordan Creek luxury)
• Cost of living: Higher than Des Moines city proper; premium of approximately $100,000–$150,000 over comparable nearby suburbs like Urbandale; still significantly below national metro averages for equivalent quality of life
• Schools: West Des Moines Community Schools — A grade (SchoolGrade), with 63% actual proficiency versus 54% projected; schools meaningfully exceed expectations
• Trail network: 60+ miles of interconnected trails, including the Raccoon River Valley Trail, Mills Civic Parkway Trail, and neighborhood connector paths
• Average commute: 17.2 minutes — significantly below the national average of 26.4 minutes

Quick Facts: Renting in West Des Moines

• Average metro rent: ~$1,130/month (Des Moines metro); West Des Moines is the metro's most expensive submarket at ~$1,330/month average
• Average 1BR rent: $1,100–$1,600/month depending on community age and amenities
• Average 2BR rent: $1,400–$1,900/month
• Luxury rental benchmark: New construction apartment communities near Jordan Creek and Maple Grove run $1,600–$2,200/month for two-bedroom units with full amenity packages
• Most affordable entry point: Older apartment communities in the Ashworth Road and central West Des Moines corridor, from approximately $1,000/month for one-bedrooms
• Rent vs. national average: Significantly below comparable suburban markets in peer Midwest cities; West Des Moines pricing that feels premium within Iowa registers as affordable by Chicago, Minneapolis, or Kansas City standards
• Market trend: Tightening — new construction has slowed sharply, net absorption is expected to exceed new deliveries metro-wide, and annual rent growth is projected at approximately 2.8% through 2025
• Dominant renter demographic: Young professionals (25–34) and families, with a significant senior renter population in purpose-built 55+ communities

Table of Contents

1. West Des Moines Housing & Rental Market Overview
2. Valley Junction — Most Character, Most Walkable
3. Jordan Creek — Best Modern Amenities & Upscale Living
4. Maple Grove — Best for New Construction & Growing Families
5. Glen Oaks — Best Luxury & Gated Community Living
6. Raccoon River Park Corridor — Best for Outdoor Recreation
7. Ashworth Road & Central West Des Moines — Best Established Neighborhood Value
8. How to Choose Your West Des Moines Neighborhood
9. Self Storage in West Des Moines — 10 Federal Storage Locations
10. Frequently Asked Questions

WEST DES MOINES HOUSING & RENTAL MARKET OVERVIEW

West Des Moines commands a meaningful price premium over the Des Moines metro's other suburban communities — a $400,000 median home price that sits approximately $100,000 to $150,000 above comparable suburbs like Urbandale — and the question every buyer or renter inevitably asks is whether that premium is justified. The consistent answer from residents and local real estate professionals is yes, with caveats. The premium buys real things: West Des Moines Community Schools' A-grade performance (63% actual proficiency versus 54% projected — meaningfully exceeding expectations), a trail and parks infrastructure with 60+ miles of connected paths, the employment convenience of having HyVee, Athene, Wells Fargo, and major healthcare systems headquartered or anchored within the city limits, and city services — snow removal, police response, road maintenance — that reflect a high local tax base well-managed. The caveats are that the premium pricing is real, the city is largely car-dependent outside of Valley Junction, and renters and buyers who prioritize budget efficiency above all else will find better value in neighboring Urbandale, Clive, or even parts of northwest Des Moines.

The housing market segments clearly along geographic and lifestyle lines. The Jordan Creek area runs from $350,000 to $800,000 and above for executive-grade single-family homes and luxury townhomes. Valley Junction's older stock trades between $250,000 and $500,000, attracting character-focused buyers who accept less square footage in exchange for architectural personality and walkable neighborhood commerce. The established central neighborhoods along Ashworth Road offer mature trees and mid-century and early-2000s homes in the $300,000 to $600,000 range. And Maple Grove's fast-growing new construction corridor offers the most accessible first-time buyer entry into West Des Moines schools at price points starting in the low $300,000s for townhomes and progressing into the $400,000–$500,000 range for detached single-family homes.

The rental market reflects similar segmentation. Newer luxury apartment communities near Jordan Creek and the Westown Parkway corridor run from $1,400 to $2,200 per month for one- and two-bedroom units with modern finishes and resort-style amenity packages. Older apartment communities in the Ashworth Road and central corridors offer more accessible pricing — one-bedrooms from approximately $1,000 to $1,200 per month — in environments that trade modern finishes for established neighborhood character. Rental homes in desirable school catchment areas are consistently sought-after and move quickly; the combination of West Des Moines school quality and single-family rental inventory is a powerful draw for relocating families who aren't yet ready to buy.

One note worth understanding for commuters: despite its size and commercial density, West Des Moines is predominantly car-dependent for daily life outside of Valley Junction's immediate walking district. The city's trail network is exceptional for recreation and secondary transportation, but a vehicle is assumed for most errands, grocery runs, and commutes. The average commute time in West Des Moines is 17.2 minutes — well below the national average of 26.4 — which reflects both the city's proximity to the broader metro's employment corridors and the advantage of having major employers headquartered within city limits.

1. VALLEY JUNCTION — MOST CHARACTER, MOST WALKABLE

Valley Junction is where West Des Moines began — literally. The community that grew up around the railroad depot in the mid-1800s was called Valley Junction before it incorporated and renamed itself in 1893. One of its earliest prominent settlers, James C. Jordan, even opened his home as a stop on the Underground Railroad, a history now commemorated at the Jordan House Museum within the neighborhood. What has survived into the present is a historic commercial district along Fifth Street that has refused to be overtaken by the suburban development patterns that define so much of the surrounding city. The result is something genuinely rare in a metro-area suburb: a walkable main street with authentic character, independent ownership, and a neighborhood social calendar that brings people from across the metro to a few blocks of antique shops, galleries, chef-driven restaurants, and seasonal festivals.

Fifth Street in the Historic Valley Junction district runs through late-19th and early-20th century commercial buildings that house more than 140 independent shops, restaurants, and businesses. It is, by any reasonable measurement, the most commercially diverse and character-rich walkable district in West Des Moines — and the contrast with Jordan Creek's polished national-brand retail environment five miles east is as stark as you'd expect. The Thursday evening Valley Junction Farmers' Market, held from May through October, functions as much as a community social event as a shopping destination, drawing live music, food trucks, and crowds from across the metro that rival the Downtown Des Moines Saturday market for energy and attendance. The annual Cinco de Mayo Festival, Winter Antique Show, and Jingle in the Junction holiday event round out a community event calendar that reflects the district's role as one of West Des Moines's primary cultural anchors.

The residential neighborhoods surrounding Valley Junction offer some of West Des Moines's most historically interesting housing stock — craftsman bungalows, Victorian two-stories, and renovated early-20th-century homes on tree-lined streets that predated the city's suburban expansion by decades. Many homes in the immediate Valley Junction area are over 100 years old. For buyers, this means genuine architectural character at prices that sit meaningfully below the Jordan Creek and Maple Grove corridors — Valley Junction trades at approximately $250,000 to $500,000, making it one of the more accessible entry points into West Des Moines homeownership. For renters, proximity to the Fifth Street commercial district provides walkable neighborhood amenities that no other part of West Des Moines can replicate.

Median Home Price: $250,000–$500,000 (historic homes and renovated bungalows; character properties at the top end) | Average Rent: 1BR: $1,000–$1,350/mo | 2BR: $1,300–$1,750/mo

Safety: West Des Moines as a city earns a B- for violent crime from CrimeGrade (safer than the national average; violent crime rate of 2.495 per 1,000 residents) and sits in the 50th percentile overall. The commercial portions of Fifth Street see typical retail-area property crime concentration, while the immediately surrounding residential streets register lower. CrimeGrade identifies the western portions of West Des Moines as the city's safest areas; Valley Junction's residential surroundings are generally considered safe by residents.

Walkability / Transit: The most walkable area in West Des Moines. Fifth Street's restaurants, boutiques, coffee, antique shops, and the farmers' market are all accessible on foot from residential addresses within the Valley Junction neighborhood. The Jordan House Museum is walkable. The Raccoon River Valley Trail is accessible within the neighborhood for cycling and non-motorized transportation. Beyond the Valley Junction core, a car is necessary for most West Des Moines errands. DART provides bus connectivity to the broader metro.

Schools: West Des Moines Community Schools — one of the highest-rated school districts in Iowa, earning an A grade overall from SchoolGrade. Valley High School serves this corridor as the district's flagship public secondary school, with Dowling Catholic High School providing a well-regarded private alternative. Elementary options in and adjacent to Valley Junction are part of the district's high-performing school system.

Top Amenities:

• Fifth Street Historic District — 140+ independent shops, galleries, restaurants, and antique dealers along a preserved late-19th-century commercial main street; the defining asset of Valley Junction and one of the most distinctive walkable retail districts in Iowa
• Valley Junction Farmers' Market — Thursday evenings, May through October; live music, food trucks, local vendors, and thousands of weekly visitors drawn from across the metro; a genuine community social anchor
• Cinco de Mayo Festival — Annual celebration honoring the neighborhood's Mexican heritage dating to its railroad days; live performances, cultural food, and artwork in the Historic District
• Jingle in the Junction — Holiday season shopping and community event that activates Fifth Street through December; one of West Des Moines's most beloved annual traditions
• Jordan House Museum — Historic home of Underground Railroad conductor James C. Jordan; one of Iowa's significant civil rights heritage sites, located within the Valley Junction neighborhood
• Val Air Ballroom — Historic entertainment venue in the Valley Junction area hosting concerts, events, and performances throughout the year
• Raccoon River Valley Trail access — The metro's premier multi-use trail is accessible from Valley Junction, connecting cyclists and walkers to Raccoon River Park, downtown Des Moines, and the wider regional trail system

Best For: Buyers seeking West Des Moines school district quality in a neighborhood with authentic character and architectural history, antique enthusiasts and independent-business supporters, renters who want walkable neighborhood commerce that no other part of WDM provides, anyone relocating from a city where neighborhood identity and main street vitality are non-negotiable priorities, families and couples who want to participate in a robust community event calendar

Nearest 10 Federal Storage Location:

• 1624 Fuller Rd, West Des Moines, IA 50265 — Located in West Des Moines close to the Valley Junction corridor; useful for residents managing the smaller square footprints common in Valley Junction's historic homes, staging renovations in older properties, or storing antique collections that exceed available home space

2. JORDAN CREEK — BEST MODERN AMENITIES & UPSCALE LIVING

Jordan Creek is West Des Moines at its most deliberately modern and commercially complete. Centered on Jordan Creek Town Center — Iowa's largest mall, anchored by more than 150 stores, restaurants, and entertainment options — the Jordan Creek neighborhood has evolved from a retail destination into a full residential community that draws executives, dual-income professional households, and families who want everything within reach without sacrificing the quality of life that West Des Moines's parks and school infrastructure provides. Nextdoor residents describe the neighborhood as clean, welcoming, walkable from apartment communities to the Town Center, and notable for its parks, shopping access, and community atmosphere — a combination that consistently attracts residents who have done careful research before committing to West Des Moines's higher price tier.

The residential mix in the Jordan Creek area reflects its premium positioning. Single-family homes in the immediately adjacent subdivisions range from $400,000 to over $800,000 for the most desirable lots with newer construction and high-end finishes. Executive homes in gated and semi-private communities within the Jordan Creek corridor push into seven figures for the right combination of size, lot, and finishes. Apartment and townhome communities in the area — including Maple Grove Villas on Westown Parkway (2- and 3-bedroom units from 923 to 1,336 square feet) and the Strathmore Apartment Homes and similar newer communities — offer the modern finishes and resort amenity packages that younger professional renters prioritize. Trader Joe's, a consistent indicator of a grocery market reaching a certain professional demographic, anchors the retail cluster adjacent to the Town Center — a detail that matters to residents relocating from larger coastal or Midwest metros where Trader Joe's proximity is a genuine convenience.

West Glen Town Center, located just north of the Jordan Creek Town Center footprint, adds a second upscale retail and dining node to the corridor. Athene USA Corporation's modern corporate campus sits west of Jordan Creek Town Center, creating a genuine walk-or-short-bike-to-work option for Athene employees who choose to live in the adjacent residential communities. The Jamie Hurd Amphitheater provides an outdoor venue for community events and concerts within the Jordan Creek area's broader community infrastructure.

Median Home Price: $400,000–$800,000+ (entry-level single-family to executive homes); townhomes from the $350,000s | Average Rent: 1BR: $1,200–$1,700/mo | 2BR: $1,500–$2,100/mo (newer communities with full amenity packages at the high end)

Safety: The Jordan Creek corridor registers among the safer areas within West Des Moines. The commercial Town Center area concentrates typical retail-zone property incidents, while adjacent residential developments see significantly lower crime concentrations. West Des Moines's B- violent crime grade from CrimeGrade reflects the city as a whole; the Jordan Creek residential neighborhoods specifically trend toward the safer end of the city's distribution. CrimeGrade identifies the western portions of West Des Moines as the city's safest, and Jordan Creek's westward residential expansion places it within that safer zone.

Walkability / Transit: The Jordan Creek Town Center immediate area is genuinely walkable from adjacent apartment communities and townhome developments — restaurants, retail, fitness studios, Trader Joe's, and entertainment are all accessible on foot from well-positioned addresses. The neighborhood is otherwise car-dependent for anything beyond the Town Center cluster. I-80 and I-35 access is within minutes, making regional commuting extremely efficient for Jordan Creek residents who work across the metro.

Schools: West Des Moines Community Schools throughout the Jordan Creek corridor. Newer elementary schools in the area have earned strong parent satisfaction. Valley High School and Dowling Catholic High School are both accessible to Jordan Creek families, providing both strong public and private secondary options.

Top Amenities:

• Jordan Creek Town Center — Iowa's largest mall; 150+ stores, restaurants, and entertainment including major national retailers, specialty shops, a multiplex cinema, dining from fast casual to sit-down, and seasonal events throughout the year
• West Glen Town Center — A second upscale retail and dining destination north of Jordan Creek, offering national brands and local finds in a complementary commercial cluster
• Trader Joe's — A grocery anchor that signals Jordan Creek's demographic profile; consistently cited by residents relocating from larger metros as a meaningful convenience marker
• Athene USA Corporation campus — Modern corporate headquarters within the Jordan Creek footprint; a walkable-to-work option for Athene employees who live in adjacent communities
• Jamie Hurd Amphitheater — Outdoor venue in the Jordan Creek area hosting community concerts, events, and performances; a meaningful addition to the neighborhood's recreational calendar
• MidAmerican RecPlex — State-of-the-art recreation facility near Jordan Creek with ice sports, indoor soccer, and family fitness programming; one of the metro area's premier recreational facilities
• Jordan Creek neighborhood parks — Community green spaces, splash pads, and playgrounds within and adjacent to Jordan Creek's residential developments; consistently cited by families as a neighborhood asset

Best For: Executives and dual-income professional households who want West Des Moines's most complete modern lifestyle package, families who prioritize school quality, commercial convenience, and newer housing stock, renters who want resort-style apartment communities at the metro's most polished suburban address, corporate relocators whose employers are in the Jordan Creek / Westown Parkway employment corridor, anyone drawn to the convenience of having Iowa's most complete retail and dining destination genuinely adjacent to their home

Nearest 10 Federal Storage Location:

• 2001 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50265 — Located on Grand Avenue with convenient I-80/35 access; ideal for Jordan Creek residents managing whole-house moves into executive homes, storing overflow from modern townhomes with limited garage space, or transitioning between luxury apartment communities

3. MAPLE GROVE — BEST FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION & GROWING FAMILIES

Maple Grove has emerged as West Des Moines's most actively growing residential community — the neighborhood that first-time buyers, young families, and remote workers have been quietly selecting as their entry point into the city's school district and quality of life without the sticker shock of the Jordan Creek executive corridor. Located west of Jordan Creek along Westown Parkway and the I-80 and Grand Prairie Parkway corridors, Maple Grove offers the combination that has driven its rapid growth: newer construction with modern layouts, expanding park and school infrastructure, and price points that are meaningfully more accessible than West Des Moines's established neighborhoods while still delivering on the school district quality that anchors WDM's residential appeal.

The housing stock in Maple Grove is predominantly from the past 15 years — open floor plans, two- and three-car garages, energy-efficient construction, and the modern kitchen and bathroom layouts that buyers accustomed to new construction expect. Townhomes provide entry-level access to WDM schools starting in the low-to-mid $300,000s; detached single-family homes typically range from the $380,000s to $550,000, with larger lots and custom builds pushing above that. The neighborhood's ongoing development means that new communities, parks, and school infrastructure continue to be added — a dynamic that benefits early residents as the corridor matures and its amenity base deepens. Maple Grove Villas, a well-regarded rental community at 8602 Westown Parkway, offers 2- and 3-bedroom apartments and townhomes from 923 to 1,336 square feet in a pet-friendly setting that gives renters genuine access to the Maple Grove corridor without ownership.

Quick I-80 and Grand Prairie Parkway access makes Maple Grove the most commuter-efficient neighborhood in West Des Moines for residents whose jobs pull them toward the southwestern metro — Waukee, Ankeny via I-35/80, and the broader employment corridors that have grown up around the interstate interchange. Remote workers, who have been one of the primary drivers of Maple Grove's growth, find its combination of new construction, quiet residential environment, and suburban-without-being-isolated character well-suited to the work-from-home lifestyle that has reshaped residential priorities across the metro.

Median Home Price: Townhomes from the low $300,000s; detached single-family: $380,000–$550,000; custom builds above | Average Rent: 1BR: $1,100–$1,500/mo | 2BR: $1,400–$1,900/mo (Maple Grove Villas and similar newer communities)

Safety: Maple Grove benefits from West Des Moines's city-wide safety infrastructure and police department. As a newer, predominantly residential community with limited commercial activity, Maple Grove registers lower crime concentrations than the city's commercial corridors. The western portions of West Des Moines — where Maple Grove sits — are identified by CrimeGrade as the city's safest areas.

Walkability / Transit: Car-dependent for daily life. Westown Parkway and Grand Prairie Parkway are designed for vehicle traffic; grocery stores, restaurants, and most daily needs require a short drive. The community's developing trail connections are improving non-motorized options year over year, and proximity to the Raccoon River Valley Trail system provides recreational connectivity. I-80 and I-35 access is the corridor's strongest transportation asset for commuters.

Schools: West Des Moines Community Schools, with newer elementary schools constructed to serve Maple Grove's growing population earning strong marks from parents. Valley High School remains the district's flagship secondary option. The district's A grade from SchoolGrade (63% actual proficiency vs. 54% projected) applies community-wide, including Maple Grove.

Top Amenities:

• Maple Grove Villas — Well-regarded newer rental community at 8602 Westown Parkway offering 2- and 3-bedroom apartments and townhomes in a pet-friendly setting; one of the most compelling rental options for families entering the West Des Moines market
• Grand Prairie Parkway corridor — Expanding commercial development along the corridor bringing additional dining, fitness, and service options closer to Maple Grove residents year over year
• I-80 / I-35 interchange access — West Des Moines's most efficient commuter positioning; major highway access within minutes for residents whose work or lifestyle pulls them toward Waukee, Ankeny, Ames, or the broader metro
• Expanding neighborhood parks — New parks and green spaces are being developed alongside Maple Grove's residential growth; the neighborhood's park infrastructure is actively improving as the community matures
• Jordan Creek Town Center proximity — Iowa's largest retail and dining destination is a short drive east; Maple Grove residents have full access to the Jordan Creek commercial node without the price premium of living immediately adjacent
• Raccoon River Valley Trail access — Trail connections from the Maple Grove area link to the broader 60+ mile WDM trail network and the regional Raccoon River Valley Trail system

Best For: First-time homebuyers entering West Des Moines at the most accessible price points, growing families who want newer construction and WDM school quality without executive-home pricing, remote workers who prioritize a quiet, residential environment and efficient highway access over urban walkability, anyone whose lifestyle involves frequent regional travel and values the I-80/I-35 interchange proximity

Nearest 10 Federal Storage Location:

• 2001 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50265 — Located on Grand Avenue with quick I-80 access from the Maple Grove corridor; convenient for families managing new construction move-ins, storing items that don't fit in newer homes' defined garage and storage spaces, or managing transitions between apartment communities and first homes

4. GLEN OAKS — BEST LUXURY & GATED COMMUNITY LIVING

Glen Oaks is West Des Moines's most exclusive residential address — a private, gated community built around a championship private golf course that sets the standard for luxury suburban living in the Des Moines metro. In a city that already commands a premium over its neighboring suburbs, Glen Oaks commands a premium within West Des Moines itself, attracting the region's corporate executives, senior professionals, and affluent retirees who want the combination of total privacy, security, and the lifestyle infrastructure of a private club integrated directly into their residential community. The neighborhood's strict architectural guidelines, active homeowners association, and beautifully maintained landscaping throughout create a visual and physical consistency that distinguishes it immediately from every other residential environment in the metro.

The golf course at Glen Oaks serves as both the community's physical spine and its social center. Membership in the Glen Oaks Club provides residents with the programming, dining, and social life typical of a full private golf and country club — but with the added intimacy of a club whose membership is drawn almost entirely from the immediate surrounding residential community. Homes in Glen Oaks are predominantly custom-built and custom-designed; the variety within the architectural guidelines spans from elegant traditional estates to more contemporary designs, with lot sizes that allow for the kind of privacy and landscaping investment that isn't available in the surrounding metro's standard subdivisions. Home prices in Glen Oaks regularly exceed $700,000 and frequently surpass $1 million for premier lots with golf course frontage — placing it firmly in the metro's highest residential tier.

Rental opportunities within Glen Oaks itself are extremely limited by the community's ownership-dominated character. However, residents who want Glen Oaks-adjacent quality of life — access to the school district, proximity to the golf course's visual environment, and the quiet residential character of this part of West Des Moines — often look to luxury rental communities in adjacent corridors as staging grounds before purchasing.

Median Home Price: $700,000–$1,200,000+ (custom homes; golf course frontage commands highest premiums) | Average Rent: Not applicable — Glen Oaks proper is a homeownership community with negligible rental inventory

Safety: Glen Oaks is among West Des Moines's safest residential environments. Its gated access controls non-resident vehicle traffic, its homeowners association maintains active community governance, and its high median incomes correlate with the city's lowest crime concentrations. CrimeGrade identifies the western portions of West Des Moines — where Glen Oaks sits — as the city's safest areas.

Walkability / Transit: Not walkable for daily errands — car is required for all daily needs. Within the community, however, the golf course, walking paths, and manicured streets provide pleasant pedestrian and cycling environments that residents consistently describe as one of the neighborhood's quality-of-life assets. The Raccoon River Valley Trail is accessible from the western West Des Moines corridor.

Schools: West Des Moines Community Schools' A-grade district, including Valley High School. The combination of Glen Oaks's residential prestige and WDM school quality creates the region's most complete package for families who want no compromises on either dimension.

Top Amenities:

• Glen Oaks Club private golf course — Championship private golf integrated directly into the residential community; membership provides club dining, social programming, and full golf access for residents
• Gated community security — Controlled access with gated entry; provides traffic management, privacy, and security that open residential communities cannot replicate
• Strict architectural guidelines & HOA — Community standards that ensure visual consistency, maintained property values, and the aesthetic character that defines Glen Oaks' identity
• Custom home building environment — Available lots and tear-down/rebuild opportunities within the community allow residents to commission fully custom homes within the architectural framework; a rare opportunity in a premium established residential setting
• Valley High School and Dowling Catholic proximity — Both of WDM's flagship secondary schools are accessible from Glen Oaks; families have genuine choice between the district's top public and private options
• Raccoon River Valley Trail & Raccoon River Park — Trail connectivity and park access within a short drive of the Glen Oaks corridor for residents whose outdoor recreation interests extend beyond the golf course

Best For: Corporate executives and senior professionals seeking West Des Moines's most prestigious residential address, golfers who want private club access integrated into their neighborhood rather than requiring a separate destination, retirees seeking a low-traffic, high-service residential environment with strong HOA governance, buyers for whom privacy, security, and community exclusivity are primary decision factors, anyone relocating from similarly positioned communities in larger metros who wants to maintain that lifestyle standard in a more affordable market

Nearest 10 Federal Storage Location:

• 2001 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50265 — Accessible from the Glen Oaks corridor; appropriate for managing the contents of large estate homes during moves, renovations, or downsizing transitions; climate-controlled units available for antiques, artwork, and furniture sensitive to Iowa's temperature extremes

5. RACCOON RIVER PARK CORRIDOR — BEST FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION

The neighborhoods along and adjacent to Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines occupy a genuinely distinctive position in the metro's residential landscape. Raccoon River Park — a 3,200-acre green space that anchors the city's outdoor recreation identity — is one of Iowa's most-used urban parks, and residents who choose to live near it consistently cite its proximity as one of the primary reasons they selected their neighborhood. The park's 3.2-mile multi-use trail loop through mature woodland, a supervised swimming beach on Blue Heron Lake, fishing access, and a full calendar of recreational programming from triathlon host events to family camping nights define what active daily life looks like for residents in this corridor.

The residential communities closest to Raccoon River Park are some of West Des Moines's most established — neighborhoods with mature tree canopy, generous lot sizes, and housing stock that reflects the development patterns of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. These are not the showcase-home neighborhoods of Jordan Creek or the gated prestige of Glen Oaks; they are solid, well-maintained family neighborhoods where residents have deliberately chosen proximity to the park and the Raccoon River Valley Trail system as primary lifestyle criteria. The trail itself connects from Raccoon River Park east toward downtown Des Moines and west toward Adel and beyond — making it one of the most extensively used recreational corridors in the state and a genuine transportation option for cycling-comfortable commuters.

The park also hosts the MidAmerican Energy RecPlex, a multi-use recreation facility offering ice sports, indoor soccer, fitness programming, and year-round family activities that supplements the park's outdoor offerings. For families with children involved in competitive youth sports — particularly hockey, figure skating, and indoor soccer — the RecPlex's presence within the neighborhood's immediate reach is a meaningful practical asset.

Median Home Price: $300,000–$550,000 (established mid-century and 1990s homes; proximity to park premium reflected in pricing) | Average Rent: 1BR: $1,000–$1,400/mo | 2BR: $1,300–$1,800/mo

Safety: The Raccoon River Park corridor residential neighborhoods register low crime rates consistent with their established, family-oriented character. The park itself concentrates recreation-related activity that may register on crime maps without indicating genuine residential risk. West Des Moines's B- violent crime rating from CrimeGrade (safer than the national average, 61st percentile) covers the city as a whole; this corridor's residential neighborhoods trend toward the safer end of the distribution.

Walkability / Transit: Not walkable for daily commercial errands — a car is required for grocery, dining, and most needs. However, trail walkability and bikeability are exceptional: the Raccoon River Valley Trail and park trail system provide immediate non-motorized recreational connectivity unmatched in any other West Des Moines corridor. The DART bus system serves portions of this area. Cycling to downtown Des Moines via the Raccoon River Valley Trail is a legitimate option for trail-comfortable riders.

Schools: West Des Moines Community Schools throughout. Valley High School serves the corridor as the district's flagship secondary option. Elementary school assignments depend on the specific address within the corridor.

Top Amenities:

• Raccoon River Park — 3,200 acres of woodland, open space, and recreational infrastructure; the defining asset of this corridor and one of Iowa's most-visited urban parks
• Blue Heron Lake beach — Supervised swimming beach within the park; a rare urban amenity that draws swimmers and families throughout the summer season
• Raccoon River Valley Trail (trailhead) — The 110-mile trail begins near Raccoon River Park, providing cycling, walking, and running connectivity east to downtown Des Moines and west through Waukee and beyond toward Adel
• MidAmerican Energy RecPlex — State-of-the-art indoor recreation facility offering ice sports (hockey, figure skating), indoor soccer, and year-round fitness programming; particularly significant for families with children involved in competitive youth sports
• 3.2-mile multi-use park trail — The internal Raccoon River Park trail loop through mature woodland; a daily-use asset for runners, cyclists, and walkers who want a natural setting rather than a developed trail corridor
• Fishing access — Blue Heron Lake and adjacent waterways support recreational fishing; a meaningful amenity for residents whose recreation interests include angling alongside trail use

Best For: Outdoor enthusiasts whose daily lives are shaped by trail access, cycling, running, or lake recreation more than proximity to retail or dining, families with children involved in youth hockey or indoor soccer who want RecPlex access built into their neighborhood, buyers who want established neighborhood character and mature trees rather than new construction, anyone whose ideal Saturday involves a trail run, a swim at the beach, and an evening on a quiet residential street rather than a trip to a shopping center

Nearest 10 Federal Storage Location:

• 1624 Fuller Rd, West Des Moines, IA 50265 — Located in West Des Moines; well-positioned for Raccoon River Park corridor residents who need storage for seasonal outdoor gear, recreational equipment, sporting goods, or the overflow that active outdoor family lifestyles tend to generate

6. ASHWORTH ROAD & CENTRAL WEST DES MOINES — BEST ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOOD VALUE

The neighborhoods along and branching off Ashworth Road in central West Des Moines represent the city's established residential heart — communities built primarily in the mid-20th century and the early 2000s that offer the combination of mature tree canopy, generous lot sizes, and genuine neighborhood character that only comes with time. One local realtor described the area as having "sprawling houses with mature trees" — a straightforward summary that captures what draws buyers who have specifically decided against new construction in favor of the lived-in quality that established neighborhoods develop over generations. The central West Des Moines corridor functions as the connective tissue between Valley Junction to the south and Jordan Creek to the west — occupying the part of the city that long-term residents tend to stay in because the combination of location, quality, and community works for them across multiple life stages.

The commercial fabric along Ashworth Road provides the corridor with practical daily-life convenience that complements the surrounding residential character. National retailers, local restaurants, fitness options, and service businesses are distributed along the road in the pattern typical of a mature suburban commercial corridor — not as concentrated as Jordan Creek's Town Center density, but more distributed and neighborhood-scale than what newer development corridors offer. The Mills Civic Parkway Trail, which connects residents to neighborhoods, schools, city government, shopping, and services throughout West Des Moines, runs through this part of the city and provides trail access that integrates the corridor into the broader 60+ mile WDM trail network.

For renters, central West Des Moines along the Ashworth Road corridor offers some of the city's most accessible apartment pricing — older communities whose lower price points provide an entry into WDM schools and amenities that the newer communities don't match on cost. The Strathmore Apartment Homes and similar established communities in this corridor offer one- and two-bedroom options at prices that sit below the Jordan Creek and Maple Grove market rates, making this the most financially accessible corridor for renters who want West Des Moines school access without the premium of the city's newest apartment developments.

Median Home Price: $300,000–$600,000 (established mid-century and 2000s homes; premium for the largest lots with most mature landscaping) | Average Rent: 1BR: $1,000–$1,300/mo | 2BR: $1,200–$1,600/mo (older communities at the more accessible end of WDM pricing)

Safety: Consistent with West Des Moines's overall safety profile — lower crime rates than Des Moines city proper, with the residential neighborhoods along Ashworth registering low property and violent crime concentrations. The established, long-tenured residential character of these communities contributes to the kind of community familiarity that tends to correlate with lower crime.

Walkability / Transit: More walkable than most of West Des Moines for daily errands along the Ashworth commercial corridor — residents within a reasonable distance of major cross streets can access grocery and dining options without a car more easily than in newer suburban developments. Still car-dependent for most purposes. The Mills Civic Parkway Trail provides non-motorized connectivity throughout the city. DART bus service runs along key corridors in this part of West Des Moines.

Schools: West Des Moines Community Schools, with the same district-wide A grade and school quality that defines WDM's educational reputation. Valley High School is accessible from this corridor; neighborhood elementary assignments vary by address.

Top Amenities:

• Ashworth Road commercial corridor — A distributed mix of grocery, dining, retail, and service businesses along the city's established east-west artery; more neighborhood-scale than Jordan Creek's density but more practically accessible for day-to-day needs
• Mills Civic Parkway Trail — A key trail route connecting residents in this part of West Des Moines to neighborhoods, schools, city government facilities, shopping, and services throughout the city; one of WDM's most-used trail corridors for practical as well as recreational use
• Raccoon River Park proximity — The park is accessible within a short drive from most Ashworth Road addresses; residents in this corridor are meaningfully closer to the park's beach and trail infrastructure than the newer eastern WDM communities
• Established neighborhood character — Mature trees, wider lots, and mid-century architectural variety that newer developments can't replicate; the combination of space, character, and community tenure that long-term residents consistently describe as the reason they've stayed
• Valley High School — Centrally located and highly accessible from the Ashworth corridor; one of Iowa's most consistently high-performing public high schools and a primary reason families choose this part of West Des Moines
• Valley Community Center — A West Des Moines recreational and community facility serving the central corridor with programming, fitness, and gathering space for residents across age groups

Best For: Budget-conscious renters who want WDM school access at the most affordable available price point, buyers seeking established neighborhood character with mature landscaping at prices below Jordan Creek's premium corridor, families who want the school district quality and recreational infrastructure of West Des Moines in a neighborhood that already has community roots and doesn't require waiting for development to mature, long-term residents who have found that the central corridor's combination of location, character, and practical access has served multiple life stages without requiring a move

Nearest 10 Federal Storage Location:

• 1624 Fuller Rd, West Des Moines, IA 50265 — Located in West Des Moines, convenient for central corridor residents managing the content-rich transitions that come with established family homes — downsizing, staging for sale, seasonal storage, or managing the accumulated gear of active Iowa family life

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR WEST DES MOINES NEIGHBORHOOD

West Des Moines's neighborhoods vary more than most suburbs of comparable size, and choosing the right one depends on which priorities you're actually optimizing for. Here's a direct framework:

Choose Valley Junction if: Neighborhood character and walkable commerce are your defining priorities. You want to live in a West Des Moines where you can walk to dinner, browse antique shops on a Saturday morning, and feel like your neighborhood has a genuine identity — not a theme. Valley Junction is the right choice for buyers willing to accept older square footages in exchange for the neighborhood experience that no other part of WDM delivers.

Choose Jordan Creek if: Modern amenities, upscale commercial convenience, and executive-grade residential environments are what you're after. Jordan Creek suits dual-income professional households, corporate relocators, and families who want everything nearby and are prepared to pay for the most polished suburban address in the metro.

Choose Maple Grove if: You want to get into West Des Moines schools at the most accessible price point, and new construction with modern layouts is more important to you than established neighborhood character. Maple Grove is the right call for first-time buyers, growing young families, and remote workers who want suburban quiet with efficient highway connectivity.

Choose Glen Oaks if: Privacy, prestige, and golf are the primary drivers. Glen Oaks suits executives and senior professionals who want the metro's most exclusive residential address — a gated, golf-integrated community where the HOA maintains the environment to resort standards and home values reflect that commitment.

Choose the Raccoon River Park Corridor if: Trail access, outdoor recreation, and the beach at Blue Heron Lake are central to how you want to live your daily life. This corridor suits active families, cyclists, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts who want WDM school quality with the park and trail infrastructure built directly into their neighborhood rather than requiring a drive.

Choose Ashworth Road / Central West Des Moines if: You want established neighborhood character, mature trees, and WDM school access at prices below the city's premium corridors. This is the right choice for value-conscious renters and buyers who want West Des Moines without Jordan Creek pricing, and for long-term residents who have found the central corridor's practical combination of location, schools, and community tenure to be the most sustainable lifestyle choice across multiple life stages.

SELF STORAGE IN WEST DES MOINES — 10 FEDERAL STORAGE LOCATIONS

West Des Moines's active residential market generates consistent storage demand. Families moving into larger homes need staging space for the contents of the home they're leaving. Renters transitioning between apartment communities often need short-term overflow. Active Iowa families — cyclists, golfers, hockey players, gardeners — accumulate seasonal gear that suburban garage spaces cannot sustainably absorb. And Iowa's distinct seasons — hot, humid summers followed by cold, snowy winters — create genuine need for climate-controlled storage for items sensitive to temperature extremes: wood furniture, electronics, documents, musical instruments, and seasonal clothing.

10 Federal Storage operates two West Des Moines locations positioned to serve both sides of the city — one on Grand Avenue serving the eastern and central corridors, and one on Fuller Road serving the western and southern neighborhoods. Both locations offer fully online rental — select your unit, sign your lease, and receive your gate access code without setting foot in an office. All leases are month-to-month. New customers qualify for up to 2 months free with no hidden fees or long-term commitments.

Both 10 Federal Storage Locations in West Des Moines

• 2001 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50265 — Located on Grand Avenue, West Des Moines's primary east-west artery connecting the city to downtown Des Moines. The Grand Avenue location is the most accessible option for residents in Jordan Creek, Maple Grove, and central West Des Moines, as well as for downtown Des Moines renters managing overflow storage. Climate-controlled units available for items sensitive to Iowa's summer heat and winter cold. Ideal for families making whole-house moves into WDM executive homes, renters transitioning between Jordan Creek apartment communities, and Glen Oaks residents managing estate contents during renovations or downsizing. Drive-up access available for efficient loading.
• 1624 Fuller Rd, West Des Moines, IA 50265 — Located on Fuller Road in West Des Moines, providing convenient access for residents in Valley Junction, the Raccoon River Park corridor, Ashworth Road's central neighborhoods, and the western WDM communities. Well-suited for Valley Junction homeowners managing the contents of historic homes during renovation, Raccoon River Park corridor families storing seasonal recreational equipment, and Ashworth Road renters who need overflow space that older apartment communities with limited storage don't provide. Unit sizes from compact 5x5 for boxes and off-season items through large units for full household contents and vehicles.

Unit sizes range from compact 5x5 for seasonal items and boxes to large units for furniture, appliances, vehicles, and full household contents. Climate-controlled and drive-up units available at both locations. View both West Des Moines locations and available units here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WEST DES MOINES NEIGHBORHOODS

What is the most affordable neighborhood in West Des Moines?

For renters, the Ashworth Road and central West Des Moines corridor offers the most accessible apartment pricing — one-bedroom units in older communities from approximately $1,000 to $1,200 per month, making this the most financially viable entry point into WDM schools for budget-conscious renters. Valley Junction's older residential surroundings also offer more accessible pricing than the Jordan Creek and Maple Grove corridors. For buyers, Valley Junction's historical housing stock trades between $250,000 and $500,000 — meaningfully below Jordan Creek's $400,000–$800,000+ range — making it the most accessible entry point into homeownership within West Des Moines. Maple Grove's newer townhomes, available from the low $300,000s, provide another accessible ownership option for buyers who specifically want new construction.

Is West Des Moines safe?

West Des Moines has a B- grade for violent crime from CrimeGrade, placing it in the 61st percentile nationally for safety — safer than the national average, with a violent crime rate of 2.495 per 1,000 residents. The city's overall crime rate, which includes property crime in the commercial corridors around Jordan Creek Town Center and the Ashworth Road retail areas, pulls the aggregate figure up, but residential neighborhoods throughout the city consistently register lower crime concentrations. West Des Moines residents on Nextdoor consistently describe their city as safe, peaceful, and family-friendly. The western portions of the city — including Glen Oaks, Maple Grove, and the areas adjacent to Raccoon River Park — are identified by CrimeGrade as the city's safest areas. As with any commercial suburb, practicing standard precautions around parking lots and retail areas is advisable; West Des Moines's residential neighborhoods are a different story.

How do West Des Moines schools compare to the rest of Iowa?

West Des Moines Community Schools earn an A grade from SchoolGrade, with 63% actual proficiency versus 54% projected — meaning the district significantly exceeds academic expectations relative to its demographics. Valley High School consistently appears in Iowa and national rankings for academic performance, extracurricular programming, and college preparation outcomes. Dowling Catholic High School provides a well-regarded private alternative within the same geographic area. The district's combination of resources, engaged parent community, and programming depth — including advanced coursework, competitive athletics, and performing arts — is a primary driver of the city's premium residential pricing and the reason families consistently cite school quality as their #1 reason for choosing West Des Moines over neighboring suburbs.

What are the major employers in West Des Moines?

West Des Moines has an unusually strong employer base for a city of its size. HyVee — Iowa's iconic employee-owned grocery chain — has its corporate headquarters in West Des Moines. Athene USA Corporation, one of the country's largest retirement services companies, operates a modern campus west of Jordan Creek. Wells Fargo maintains a significant home mortgage and operations presence in the city. EMC Insurance, The Iowa Clinic, MercyOne, and UnityPoint Health all have major campuses or headquarters in or immediately adjacent to West Des Moines. The practical result for residents is an average commute of 17.2 minutes — well below the national average — because a meaningful portion of the workforce commutes within, rather than out of, the city.

What is the Raccoon River Valley Trail and how does it affect neighborhood choice?

The Raccoon River Valley Trail is a 110-mile paved multi-use trail that begins near Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines and extends west through Waukee, Adel, and into rural Iowa — with eastern connections running through Des Moines toward the broader metro trail network. It is consistently rated among Iowa's best recreational trails and is a genuine transportation option for cycling-comfortable commuters making the Des Moines-to-West Des Moines trip. For residents of the Raccoon River Park corridor and Valley Junction, the trail is accessible within minutes on foot or bike. For Jordan Creek and Maple Grove residents, trail connections exist but require more deliberate navigation. If trail access is a primary lifestyle factor in your neighborhood decision, the Raccoon River Park corridor and Valley Junction are the West Des Moines neighborhoods best positioned for daily trail use without requiring a car trip to reach a trailhead.

What should I know about Iowa winters before renting in West Des Moines?

Iowa winters are real and require preparation. West Des Moines averages meaningful annual snowfall, with cold temperatures regularly running from November through March and occasional significant blizzard or ice events that can impact road conditions and daily logistics. The city's snow removal services are well-regarded — a reflection of the strong municipal tax base — and the road network is generally cleared efficiently after major events. For renters and buyers, winter preparation means: a reliable all-wheel or front-wheel drive vehicle with proper winter tires (rear-wheel drive is poorly suited to Iowa winters), a winter wardrobe appropriate for sustained cold, and awareness that trail use at Raccoon River Park and throughout the city's trail network shifts in winter to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter running for those who want to stay active outdoors. Climate-controlled storage is genuinely valuable in West Des Moines for items that shouldn't experience the temperature extremes of an unheated garage — wood furniture, electronics, musical instruments, and stored seasonal clothing are all better served in climate-controlled environments through an Iowa winter.

WELCOME TO WEST DES MOINES

West Des Moines earns its reputation as the Des Moines metro's premier community because it delivers on the combination that matters most to the residents who choose it: schools that genuinely perform, a trail and parks system that makes outdoor recreation a daily possibility rather than a weekend trip, employers that reduce commuting from a drain to a brief drive, and enough neighborhood variety — from Valley Junction's historic walkable main street to Glen Oaks' gated privacy to Maple Grove's growing new construction — that almost any lifestyle priority can find its match within city limits. The price premium is real. So is what it buys.

And wherever you settle in West Des Moines, 10 Federal Storage's two city locations — on Grand Avenue and Fuller Road — are positioned to help make your move, renovation, seasonal storage, or ongoing overflow management as simple as possible. Fully online rental, flexible month-to-month leases, 24/7 access, and up to 2 months free for new customers.

Find your nearest West Des Moines location and reserve a unit online today.

About 10 Federal Storage — West Des Moines

10 Federal Storage operates two self-storage facilities in West Des Moines, IA — at 2001 Grand Avenue and 1624 Fuller Road (both 50265) — providing secure, accessible storage across both sides of the city. Fully online rental, 24/7 access, climate-controlled units, and flexible month-to-month leases available at both locations. View all West Des Moines locations here.