Ankeny, Iowa SperlingViews

I moved to Ankeny from Southern CA in June, 2005. My immediate and lasting impression is the incredible home values here, the relatively low population density, and the lovely countryside. This is a four season climate, and Winter can be brutal, but bitter cold lasts only a day or so, and soon the sun will shine. Summers are warm but not oppressive. Ankeny is above the high-water mark, so it largely escaped the 2008 flood.

Ankeny is perfectly situated: 10 mi. North of Des Moines, 20 mi. South of Ames. It is in the middle of everything, with Minneapolis, Omaha, Chicago, Kansas City easy drives.

Ankeny is family-oriented, definitely caters to kids, and is growing. New home developments are sprouting all over, including some fairly expensive, but beautiful, homes. Now under construction nearby is the Prairie Trail development, a 1,000 acre mixed-use development to which the City administration offices will move.

There are nearby several hiking/cycling trails of significant length (>20 mi.), and Ankeny residents can avail themselves of all a cosmopolitan metropolis can offer in nearby Des Moines, from theater to dining to great malls.

Des Moines has two universities and a medical school, while Ames has Iowa State University.

Downside? After CA, it's got to be property taxes. This page rates them at $15/$1000 -- I rate them at over $17/$1000 value. If I leave Ankeny, blame property taxes. Not the highest in the nation, for sure, but too high nonetheless (and I use both the Veteran's and Homestead exemptions).

All told, Ankeny is one of the better places a person can live. This CA native rates it higher than the Golden State -- except for property taxes.

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Life in Middle America - 12/1/2008

I moved to Ankeny from Southern CA in June, 2005. My immediate and lasting impression is the incredible home values here, the relatively low population density, and the lovely countryside. This is a four season climate, and Winter can be brutal, but bitter cold lasts only a day or so, and soon the sun will shine. Summers are warm but not oppressive. Ankeny is above the high-water mark, so it largely escaped the 2008 flood. Ankeny is perfectly situated: 10 mi. North of Des Moines, 20 mi. South of Ames. It is in the middle of everything, with Minneapolis, Omaha, Chicago, Kansas City easy drives. Ankeny is family-oriented, definitely caters to kids, and is growing. New home developments are sprouting all over, including some fairly expensive, but beautiful, homes. Now under construction nearby is the Prairie Trail development, a 1,000 acre mixed-use development to which the City administration offices will move. There are nearby several hiking/cycling trails of significant length (>20 mi.), and Ankeny residents can avail themselves of all a cosmopolitan metropolis can offer in nearby Des Moines, from theater to dining to great malls. Des Moines has two universities and a medical school, while Ames has Iowa State University. Downside? After CA, it's got to be property taxes. This page rates them at $15/$1000 -- I rate them at over $17/$1000 value. If I leave Ankeny, blame property taxes. Not the highest in the nation, for sure, but too high nonetheless (and I use both the Veteran's and Homestead exemptions). All told, Ankeny is one of the better places a person can live. This CA native rates it higher than the Golden State -- except for property taxes.[read more...]

ANKENYTOPIA - 7/31/2008

Ankeny is a great community to raise a family or to be single. The shools are wonderful and so many activities for kids and families. The weather when it is good, it is really good and when bad, it gets really bad!! A smaller town getting bigger by the minute, but the city is growing with the changes and it is very easy to get around and run to the store, shopping, or to the movie. Several resturants and some home town locale favorites!!![read more...]

"ANKENYTOPIA" - 10/26/2007

We don't call it "Ankenytopia" for nothing! This is the best town in Iowa! The schools are top-notch, the town is growing and getting more attractions. We are missing a large bookstore, but other than that, you never need to leave our little slice of heaven![read more...]