Relocating for a job can feel simple on paper and complicated in real life. You are not just choosing a home. You are choosing how long you want to spend in the car, whether you want to rent or buy first, and how close you want to be to Des Moines’ biggest job centers. The good news is that Des Moines offers a compact metro, practical commute patterns, and housing options across a wide range of budgets. Let’s dive in.
Why commute planning matters in Des Moines
Des Moines is a metro where the downtown core still plays a major role in daily work life. According to the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Downtown Des Moines has more than 10,000 residents and about 80,000 employees, with major employers including Principal, Wells Fargo, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, MidAmerican Energy, Nationwide, OpenLoop, People Inc., UnityPoint Health, and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa.
That concentration shapes where many relocating professionals start their search. If your office is downtown, one of your first decisions is whether to live near the urban core for a shorter trip or choose a suburb with a more traditional neighborhood feel and a direct commute corridor.
Des Moines commute patterns to know
One of the biggest advantages of Des Moines is that commute times are often manageable compared with larger metros. That gives you flexibility, but it still helps to match your home search to your work location.
For west-side jobs, West Des Moines and the Jordan Creek area are key commuter zones. DART local and express routes connect downtown with Valley West Mall, Mills Civic Walmart, the Wells Fargo West Des Moines Campus, Jordan Creek Town Center, and several suburbs including Ankeny, Clive, Johnston, Urbandale, and West Des Moines.
If you expect to work downtown most days, close-in neighborhoods can help reduce travel time. If you are headed to a west-side campus or want suburban housing choices, the west, north, and northwest suburbs may fit better.
Best areas for shorter downtown commutes
If your priority is getting to downtown quickly, several close-in Des Moines neighborhoods stand out.
Downtown Des Moines
Downtown puts you at the center of the region’s largest job hub. It is the most direct choice if you want to live near major employers and keep your daily commute as short as possible.
The typical home value in Downtown Des Moines is about $257,054, according to Zillow home value data. For many buyers and renters, downtown can be a practical option when convenience is the top goal.
East Village and Sherman Hill
East Village sits on the east side of the river between the Des Moines River and the Iowa Capitol, giving you close access to the downtown core. Sherman Hill is another near-downtown option that appeals to buyers who want central access and established neighborhood character.
Typical home values are about $322,904 in East Village and $292,887 in Sherman Hill, based on the Zillow figures in the research. These areas may appeal to buyers who want to stay close to work while living outside the immediate downtown core.
Gray’s Lake and Oak Park/Highland Park
Gray’s Lake offers another close-in option, with some housing located just two to four blocks from major downtown employers. Oak Park and Highland Park are also positioned for easy access, and local descriptions note they are minutes from downtown employment by bike, foot, car, or bus.
Oak Park’s typical home value is about $174,277, making it one of the more affordable close-in ownership options in the research set. If you want a lower entry price and a manageable commute, this area may be worth a closer look.
Close-in neighborhoods with value
Not every relocating buyer wants to live downtown, but many still want a central location that keeps commuting simple.
Beaverdale
Beaverdale is a well-known central Des Moines option for buyers who want a close-in location without being in the downtown core. Its typical home value is about $249,429, which places it in a competitive middle range among central neighborhoods, based on Zillow’s neighborhood data.
For many buyers, Beaverdale works as a balance between location, home style, and commute convenience.
Franklin Area
The Franklin Area is another central option to consider. Invest DSM describes it as a neighborhood near downtown employment and amenities at the juncture of Beaverdale and Waveland Park.
If you are looking for a central location with access to major parts of the city, this type of neighborhood can be a smart middle ground between an urban core lifestyle and a longer suburban drive.
Best suburbs for work relocations
If you prefer a suburban setting, Des Moines still gives you solid commute options. Several suburbs stand out for professionals who want detached homes, broader housing stock, or direct transit links.
West Des Moines
West Des Moines is one of the clearest choices for relocating professionals, especially if your job is on the west side or you want strong access to major roads and DART routes. The city has a mean commute time of 18.3 minutes, and the typical home value is about $313,441, according to Census QuickFacts and Zillow data.
On the rental side, average rent is around $1,600, and the market shows broad inventory compared with some nearby suburbs. That makes West Des Moines especially useful if you want to rent first before buying.
Clive
Clive can be a strong fit if you want a suburban setting with access to downtown via DART Express Route 92. The mean commute time is 20.7 minutes, and the typical home value is about $426,162.
Clive tends to sit at a higher price point than several nearby options. If you are comparing suburban ownership choices, it is often worth evaluating alongside West Des Moines and Johnston.
Johnston, Urbandale, and Ankeny
North and northwest suburbs are also common choices for relocating workers. Johnston’s typical home value is about $387,386 with a mean commute of 19.7 minutes, Urbandale comes in around $342,317 with a mean commute of 18.9 minutes, and Ankeny is about $335,711 with a mean commute of 21.1 minutes.
Transit is part of the picture here too. DART express service includes Route 93 from Johnston and Route 98 from Ankeny, while Urbandale is part of the express network and Flex Connect system.
Should you rent or buy first?
This is one of the biggest questions for anyone moving to Des Moines for work. The right answer depends on your timeline, job certainty, and how confident you feel about picking an area before you arrive.
Citywide in Des Moines, the typical home value is about $203,014, average rent is around $1,141, and homes go pending in about 53 days, according to Zillow market data. That gives you a useful baseline as you compare short-term flexibility with long-term ownership.
In general, the research suggests a few practical patterns:
- If you want the lowest monthly commitment and a shorter commute, renting in or near downtown may be a smart starting point.
- If you want a detached home and expect to stay for a while, buying in places like West Des Moines, Johnston, Ankeny, or Clive may make more sense.
- If you are unsure which part of the metro fits your routine, renting first can give you time to learn traffic patterns and daily convenience.
A simple way to narrow your search
When you are relocating, it helps to start with your work schedule and commute tolerance, then work outward.
Choose close-in Des Moines if you want:
- The shortest trip to downtown employers
- Easier access to central Des Moines amenities
- Lower commute burden overall
- Potentially lower-priced ownership options in select older neighborhoods like Oak Park
Choose suburban areas if you want:
- More traditional suburban housing stock
- Detached homes or newer developments
- Direct commute corridors to downtown or west-side employment centers
- Rental options with more inventory in places like West Des Moines and Ankeny
How remote home shopping can work
If you are moving from out of town, you may be able to do much of the process before you arrive. That can make a relocation move much more manageable.
According to Zillow’s tour tools overview, virtual and 3D tours can help you get a feel for a property without touring in person. That can be helpful when you are trying to narrow your list before a scouting trip or making a fast job-related move.
For buyers planning a remote closing, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says you should submit final lender documents, shop for homeowner’s insurance, choose closing service providers, and review your Closing Disclosure carefully. Lenders must provide that disclosure at least three business days before closing.
Iowa also allows remote online notarization, but the state requires a compliant live audio-visual platform. The Iowa Secretary of State specifically notes that common video tools like Zoom or Skype do not qualify on their own.
It is also smart to stay alert for fraud. The CFPB warns that wire fraud during mortgage closings is a real risk, so you should confirm wiring instructions directly with your lender or settlement agent using a trusted phone number or another verified channel.
Your relocation strategy for Des Moines
If you want the simplest way to approach a work move, start with this rule of thumb. Focus on downtown or close-in neighborhoods if commute time and central access matter most. Focus on West Des Moines, Johnston, Ankeny, or Clive if you want suburban housing and established commute routes.
From there, compare your housing budget, how often you expect to be in the office, and whether renting first would make the transition easier. A move for work usually comes with a lot of moving parts, but the right local guidance can help you narrow your options quickly and confidently.
If you are planning a move to the Des Moines area, the Ingrid Williams Real Estate Team can help you compare neighborhoods, explore housing options, and build a relocation plan that fits your job, budget, and timeline.
FAQs
What are the best Des Moines areas for a short downtown commute?
- Downtown Des Moines, East Village, Sherman Hill, Gray’s Lake, and Oak Park/Highland Park are among the closest-in options for professionals working downtown.
What are the best Des Moines suburbs for work relocations?
- West Des Moines, Johnston, Urbandale, Ankeny, and Clive are common choices because they offer suburban housing options and established commute routes to major employment areas.
Should you rent or buy first when relocating to Des Moines for work?
- Renting first may make sense if you want flexibility or need time to learn the metro, while buying may be a better fit if you know your work location, budget, and long-term plans.
Can you buy a home in Des Moines from out of state?
- Yes. Virtual tours can help you narrow options remotely, and Iowa allows remote online notarization through approved platforms that meet state requirements.
What is the average commute time in West Des Moines?
- The mean commute time in West Des Moines is 18.3 minutes, based on Census QuickFacts data cited in the research.
How can you protect yourself during a remote home closing?
- Review your Closing Disclosure carefully, complete lender requirements on time, and confirm wire instructions directly with your lender or settlement agent through a trusted contact method.
