Relocating to Des Moines

Thinking about moving to the Des Moines area? Start here.

I help people relocate to the suburbs every year - from out of state, from across the country, and everywhere in between. Here's everything I wish someone had told me when I first moved here in 2016.

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WHY DES MOINES

What people are surprised to find here

Des Moines consistently ranks as one of the best cities to live in the US - and most people don't find out until they're already here.

Strong job market

Finance, insurance, tech, healthcare, and ag - Des Moines has a diverse economy and consistently low unemployment.

Your dollar goes further

Homes that would cost $800K in Denver or Chicago are $350 - 450K here, with more space and a bigger yard.

Tight-knit communities

The Des Moines suburbs aren't just suburbs - they have their own character, events, schools, and people who actually know their neighbors.

THE SUBURBS, EXPLAINED

Which area is right for you?

Not all suburbs are the same. Here's an honest breakdown of the Des Moines suburbs I specialize in - what they're like, who tends to love them, and what to expect.

Waukee

One of the fastest-growing cities in Iowa. New construction, top-rated schools, and a strong sense of community. Great for young families planting roots.

West Des Moines

A larger suburb with restaurants, nightlife, and walkable areas like Valley Junction. More established neighborhoods with mature trees and character.

Ankeny

One of the largest and fastest-growing suburbs in the state. Excellent schools, tons of new construction, thriving retail corridors, and a young, active community. A top choice for families relocating from larger metros.

Clive

Centrally located with easy freeway access. Quieter, lower-key feel with great parks and a loyal long-term resident base.

Johnston

Known for its highly rated school district. Suburban feel with newer developments and strong resale value. Wide variety of options.

Urbandale

A great mix of price points, walkable retail, and solid schools. Often overlooked, which means better value than comparable suburbs. Urbandale has both a more established part and a part largely consisting of newer homes in the Waukee School District.

Norwalk

A smaller, quieter suburb just south of Des Moines with a tight-knit feel and more space for your dollar. Growing steadily with good schools and easy access to the city - great for buyers who want room to breathe without sacrificing convenience.

Grimes

Smaller, quieter, but growing extremely fast. Good value for buyers who want space and a small-town feel without being far from everything. You will see massive growth (and lots of construction) in Grimes in the coming years. Mix of older homes with new construction.

THE RELOCATION PROCESS

How I help people move here from out of state

Buying from a distance is different. Here's how I make it manageable - whether you're coming from across the country or just a few states over.

Intro Call - figure out your fit

We talk through your timeline, priorities, lifestyle, and what you're hoping to find. I'll ask about commute needs, school preferences, neighborhood vibe - the stuff that actually matters when choosing a suburb.

Virtual suburb tour

I'll walk you through the areas that fit your criteria over video - neighborhoods, amenities, commute routes, new construction sites. You'll get a real feel for each suburb before you ever visit.

Custom MLS search set up

You'll get a live feed of homes matching your criteria the moment they hit the market. In a fast-moving market, being first matters - especially when you can't drop everything to tour in person.

In-person visit & home tours

When you're ready to come to town, I'll line up a full day of showings so you can see as much as possible. I'll also give you an honest tour of the areas you're considering - restaurants, parks, schools, the full picture. Until you are ready to make the trip to Des Moines, I will ALWAYS offer video tours of properties you are interested in.

Offer, negotiation & remote closing

If you find the one and need to move fast, we can write an offer remotely. I'll walk you through everything over video, and remote closing options mean you may not need a second trip just to sign documents.

Settling in - I don't disappear at closing

I'm a local. I can point you to the best movers, contractors, restaurants, community groups, and everything in between. Moving to a new city is hard - I try to make the landing a little softer. This is truly one of my favorite parts of the job.

WATCH BEFORE YOU MOVE

My suburb-by-suburb video series

I've made in-depth videos covering each suburb - the real feel, not just stats. These are the videos I'd want to watch before making a move. All of these videos - and much more - are available on my YouTube channel.

Link to our YouTube Channel

Free Des Moines Relocation Guide

Everything I tell people before they move here - in one guide you can read before you make any decisions.

Suburb-by-suburb breakdown

School district overview

Cost of living vs. major metros

What the housing market actually looks like

Things to do, eat, and explore

No spam. Just genuinely useful info for your move.

Send me the guide

Have questions about a specific suburb, school district, or neighborhood? I'm happy to talk it through.

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