Looking for a certain home style in West Des Moines? You are not alone. Whether you picture a front porch near a historic district, a newer single-family home near major shopping and commuter routes, or a lower-maintenance townhome close to dining and entertainment, West Des Moines offers a wide mix of options. The key is knowing where each style tends to cluster so you can focus your search with confidence. Let’s dive in.
West Des Moines Has Style Clusters
West Des Moines is best understood as a city of style clusters rather than one neighborhood pattern. The city has grown quickly and includes a broad housing mix, with 74,224 residents, a 57.4 percent owner-occupied housing rate, and a median owner-occupied home value of $309,000.
That variety comes from both its history and its development pattern. West Des Moines began as Valley Junction, a railroad hub incorporated in 1893, and later evolved into a suburban city. Many newer areas were shaped through planned unit developments, or PUDs, which allow homes, shops, and offices to be grouped into coordinated plans with their own standards.
Find Older Character in Valley Junction
If you want older-scale homes and a more established feel, Valley Junction is the clearest place to start. Historic Valley Junction is centered on 5th Street and is known for its walkable layout, railroad roots, and traditional mixed-use buildings.
The nearby Transitional District adds more of the residential piece. This area includes single-family residences and starter homes, and city design guidance emphasizes features like pitched rooflines, front porches, small front setbacks, and traditional materials.
For many buyers, this part of West Des Moines feels different from the newer west-side neighborhoods. It tends to appeal to people who want charm, porches, and a neighborhood-scaled setting rather than a large-lot suburban layout.
Another draw is the surrounding district itself. Valley Junction is also known as a historic business district with more than 150 specialty shops, art galleries, and restaurants, which adds to the area’s walkable appeal.
Look West for Newer Single-Family Homes
If your priority is newer construction, you will want to focus on the west and southwest growth corridors. Many of the city’s newer residential communities are concentrated near Jordan Creek Parkway, Mills Civic Parkway, Grand Prairie Parkway, and the Ashworth area.
This part of West Des Moines includes many named communities within the city’s PUD framework, such as The Preserve on Grand, Grand Woods, Reed’s Crossing, Wistful Vista, Jordan Creek Town Center, Della Vita, Mill Ridge, and Glen Oaks. Because each development can have its own standards, the homes here do not all look the same.
That is good news if you want choices. In these west-side areas, you can often find a range of newer layouts, exterior styles, lot settings, and maintenance levels depending on the community.
Della Vita for Connected New Construction
Della Vita is a strong example of newer single-family living in West Des Moines. It sits in the Jordan Creek and West Glen orbit, giving buyers close access to major retail, dining, and interstate routes.
This community is a good fit if you want a newer home without feeling far removed from everyday conveniences. It offers the suburban feel many buyers want, but with practical access to shopping and commuting corridors.
Mill Ridge for Flexible Layouts
Mill Ridge is another helpful community to know because it blends different housing types in one newer setting. Home offerings there include both townhome and ranch plans.
That flexibility can matter if you like the look and feel of a newer neighborhood but are still deciding how much space or maintenance you want. Its location near Jordan Creek Town Center, Mills Civic, and West Glen also keeps it connected to some of the city’s busiest amenities.
Stonewood for Custom Home Appeal
If you are searching for a higher-end single-family option, Stonewood stands out. This luxury community includes heavily wooded homesites and custom homes in ranch, 1.5-story, and 2-story designs.
Located south of I-80 on SW Grand Prairie Parkway, Stonewood fits squarely into the west-side growth area. It is worth a closer look if you want newer construction, more privacy, and a more custom home profile.
Explore Townhomes Near West Glen
If you want lower-maintenance living, West Des Moines has several attached-home pockets worth exploring. Many of them are located near retail corridors and mixed-use centers, where the city’s PUD approach supports a blend of homes, shops, and offices.
One of the best-known examples is West Glen Town Center. This area is known for walkable live-and-work use, along with shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and residential options in the same general setting.
For buyers who care more about convenience than a large yard, this part of West Des Moines can be a smart starting point. You may find townhomes, condos, or other attached options that keep daily errands and social spots close by.
The Flats at West Glen
The Flats at West Glen represent a modern townhome option in this area. These homes include three-bedroom layouts, modern finishes, private patios, attached two-car garages, and close access to shopping, dining, and entertainment.
This is the type of community to consider if you want a newer home and a simpler day-to-day setup. It works well for buyers who value convenience and updated finishes.
Foxboro Townhomes
Foxboro Townhomes offer another clear attached-living option. These homes include private entrances, patios, detached garages, full basements, and shared amenities such as a saltwater pool, playground, picnic area, and dog park.
If you want townhome living with a bit more breathing room and shared outdoor features, Foxboro may be worth adding to your list. It is a good example of how attached housing in West Des Moines can still offer practical space and community amenities.
Rossa and Campiello Pointe
Rossa Townhomes and Campiello Pointe Townhomes add more design-focused options to the market. Rossa features ranch-style townhomes with upscale finishes, while Campiello Pointe includes boutique two-story townhomes with modern Mediterranean exteriors, mature trees, and custom interior details.
These communities show that attached living in West Des Moines is not one-size-fits-all. Depending on your style and priorities, you may be able to find a townhome that feels more curated, modern, or distinctive than expected.
Consider Glen Oaks for Luxury Settings
When buyers ask about luxury living in West Des Moines, Glen Oaks is one of the most recognizable names. Developed in 1991, it is a gated community and country club that spans 532 acres.
The setting is known for combining residential living with golf and resort-style amenities. For buyers drawn to a more defined luxury enclave, Glen Oaks offers a very different feel from both the historic core and the newer mainstream suburban neighborhoods.
The Pines at Glen Oaks
The Pines at Glen Oaks offer a luxury attached-home option within that broader golf community setting. These rowhomes include two- and three-story layouts, contemporary architecture, high-end finishes, and rooftop patios.
That makes them especially appealing if you like the idea of a golf-course or club environment but do not want a large detached estate. It is a more lock-and-leave approach to luxury living.
How To Narrow Your Search
With so many different home styles in one city, it helps to begin with your lifestyle first. West Des Moines is less about one dominant look and more about matching the right area to the way you want to live.
A simple way to think about it is this:
- Valley Junction for older character, porches, and a more walkable neighborhood feel
- West and southwest corridors for newer single-family communities and move-up options
- West Glen and nearby areas for townhomes and lower-maintenance living near retail and entertainment
- Glen Oaks and Stonewood for luxury settings, whether you prefer attached or detached homes
If you are relocating, buying your first home, or moving up into a different price point, this kind of neighborhood-level strategy can save time. Instead of searching the entire city the same way, you can focus on the parts of West Des Moines that best match your goals.
West Des Moines offers more variety than many buyers expect. From historic-core homes near Valley Junction to newer planned neighborhoods on the west side, attached housing near West Glen, and defined luxury enclaves like Glen Oaks, the city gives you several distinct ways to live.
If you want help comparing neighborhoods, home styles, and day-to-day fit in West Des Moines, the Ingrid Williams Real Estate Team is here to help you make a confident move.
FAQs
Where can you find older homes in West Des Moines?
- The best place to start is Valley Junction and the adjacent Transitional District, where you will find older-scale homes, front porches, and a more walkable historic-core setting.
Where are newer homes in West Des Moines?
- Most newer single-family growth is in the west and southwest corridors near Jordan Creek Parkway, Mills Civic Parkway, Grand Prairie Parkway, and the Ashworth area.
What area of West Des Moines has the most townhomes?
- West Glen and nearby attached-housing pockets are strong places to look for townhomes and lower-maintenance living close to shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Where should you look for luxury homes in West Des Moines?
- Glen Oaks is one of the most recognizable luxury enclaves, and Stonewood is another strong option for higher-end custom single-family homes.
Is West Des Moines one home style or many?
- West Des Moines has a broad housing mix, so it is more accurate to think of it as a city of style clusters rather than one dominant home style.
What kind of buyer fits Valley Junction in West Des Moines?
- Valley Junction is often a good fit if you want older character, a neighborhood-scaled setting, and close access to a historic district with shops, galleries, and restaurants.
