Relocation guide to Ankeny, Iowa
Ankeny, Iowa is the perfect size - not too big and not too small. It's also conveniently located just north of the Des Moines metro area and features some of the best schools in the state.
In this article, we'll cover all of the things you need to know about relocating to Ankeny, Iowa. We'll talk about the pros of relocating, its convenient location, neighborhoods, top-rated schools, and vibrant economy.
The Pros and Cons of Relocating to Ankeny, Iowa
Ankeny, Iowa is a great place to relocate to for several reasons.
Goldilocks size: With a population of 70,287, it's the perfect mix of big and small living.
The cost of living: One of the biggest benefits of living in Ankeny is its low cost of living. According to Best Places, the overall cost of living in Ankeny is 96.7, which is lower than the national average of 100. Housing costs are particularly affordable, with a median home price of $224,900. This makes Ankeny a great place to buy your first home, or to upgrade to a larger home for your growing family.
Top-notch schools: The schools in Ankeny are some of the best in the state and the crime rate is very low.
Commute: Although Ankeny is further out than most in the Des Moines metro, it’s main roads and access to the Interstate make getting make it a non-factor.
Emerging entertainment and recreation: Ankeny has 40 parks and over 90 miles of trails, making it easy to enjoy a walk, bike ride, or jog in the great outdoors. The city's largest park is the 120-acre Prairie Ridge Sports Complex, which includes soccer and softball fields, a playground, and a fishing pond. Other popular outdoor spots in Ankeny include the High Trestle Trail Bridge and Saylorville Lake.
Like all places, however, Ankeny isn't perfect.
By comparison, it's one of the more expensive areas to live in the Des Moines metro. According to the Best Neighborhoods report, Ankeny's median home value is nearly $372,000, which is much higher than the state's average of $221,598.
Like most suburban cities, it's also fairly spread out. Depending on where you live, that can make every adventure require a car ride. (However, Ankeny has a strong bike path network and scene).
While new areas, like The District and Uptown (more on these in a sec), are helping turn Ankeny into more of a destination for the metro, Central Iowa's main attractions are primarily in Des Moines and out west in areas, like Waukee and West Des Moines.
Ankeny's Convenient Location
Ankeny is located just north of the Des Moines metro area, making it a short drive from many of Iowa's top attractions. Thanks to a lot of major roadways and interstates, Ankeny is within an hour's drive of the area's major airport, making travel a breeze. And finally, Ankeny has great bike paths and public transportation options, making getting around town a breeze.
Things to do in Ankeny
In years past, most Ankeny residents needed to go south to find great dining, entertainment and nightlife, but that's changed over the years. Some of our favorites below.
Shop, eat, and watch in The District
The District, located in Ankeny's Prairie Trail neighborhood, features a convenient location and a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and activities, like:
District 36: Fantastic wine and food that will be an instant favorite for date night.
Fong's Pizza: Some of the best pizza in the metro features a unique atmosphere that matches some of the unique flavors of its signature pizzas.
Whiskey River: Whiskey and southern food that features a great menu that most everyone can enjoy.
B&B Theaters: Catch a movie, grub, and some bowling at this arcade and theater that entertains both kids and adults.
Drink Iowa's craft beers
Image courtesy of Slingshot Architecture
The craft beer scene in Central Iowa is one of the best in the nation. Ankeny, for its part, features a great pocket of local breweries, like Firetrucker and Uptown Garage, in the same neighborhood (Uptown).
Get active in or outside the community
High Trestle Trail bridge located north of Ankeny illuminated at night
Ankeny's network of bike paths, public parks, and community-sponsored events make it easy to get and stay outside.
Ankeny Art Center: This community arts center offers classes, workshops, and exhibits for all ages and levels of experience.
High Trestle Trail: This 25-mile bike trail is a must-see for outdoor enthusiasts. The trail has a stunning bridge that is lit up at night with LED lights. The trails, however, don't just go north. A robust network of bike paths connect the Des Moines metro to Ankeny, giving you access to all Central Iowa has to offer.
Aquatic Centers: Ankeny has two water parks, the Prairie Ridge Aquatic Center in North Ankeny and Cascade Aquatic Center in Prairie Trail. Featuring a lazy river, slides, and a pool, it's where you want to be on hot summer days in Iowa. offers hours of fun for the whole family, including slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool.
Festivals and events: The city and The District host a number of annual events and festivals throughout the year, including the Ankeny SummerFest, which features live music, food vendors, and carnival rides.
Ankeny Farmers Market: Held on Saturdays from May through September in "Ankey's original neighborhood", called Uptown Ankeny. The farmers market features fresh produce, baked goods, and crafts from local vendors. Don't like Farmer's Markets? Don't worry, the area also has a ton of up-and-coming restaurants.
Living in Ankeny
Housing styles in Ankeny
Ankeny's rapid growth in the early 2000s led to a lot of pre-manufactured townhomes and single-family homes. Most are fairly contemporary and follow the basic designs that characterize much of Des Moines' suburbs.
Recently, however, new development has opened up, bringing a new wave of businesses and custom-designed homes to the area. Let's take a look at some of the more popular neighborhoods in Ankeny.
A quick look at Ankeny Neighborhoods
Ankeny has dozens of neighborhoods—each with their own style and character. Below, we've taken a closer look at a couple of the more popular locations.
Get to know Prairie Trail
Prairie Trail is one of the newest and most popular neighborhoods in Ankeny. It's located in the heart of the city and is walkable and bikeable. It offers a mix of residential, commercial, and retail spaces. The neighborhood was explicitly designed to promote a healthy lifestyle and features beautiful parks, playgrounds, and fitness trails.
Get to know North Ankeny
North Ankeny is a quiet and peaceful neighborhood located on the north side of the city. It's an ideal location for families who want to live in a suburban area with easy access to the city.
Get to know Prairie View
Prairie View is a newer neighborhood located on the west side of the city. It's a popular choice for families who want to live in a quiet and safe neighborhood that offers easy access to the city's amenities.
Get to know Uptown Ankeny
Uptown Ankeny, or Ankeny's "original neighborhood", has experienced something of a renaissance over the last few years. You can find some of the metro's most promising chefs, breweries, and stores inside the area's recently remodeled historic buildings.
Top-Rated Ankeny Schools
The Ankeny Community School District has a long tradition of academic excellence and its schools are consistently ranked among the top in the state for test scores and graduation rates. There are a variety of school options available in Ankeny, from public to private to charter schools.
Ankeny public schools
Ankeny's schools are another reason the city is such a great place to relocate to. Consistently ranked among the top in the state for test scores and graduation rates, the school district serves more than 12,000 students across 11 schools, including four preschools, ten elementary schools, four middle schools, and two high schools.
Ankeny Community School District split itself into two distinct high schools: Ankeny High School in the south and Ankeny Centennial in the north. Both feature an above average graduation rate over 98%.
Ankeny private schools
Private schools in Ankeny, Iowa include Ankeny Christian Academy, an independent non-denominational Christian school serving K-12, and St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School ded by parents in the Ankeny community.
Higher education in Ankeny
Higher education is also widely available in Ankeny. Des Moines Area Community College has a campus in Ankeny, and there are several four-year colleges and universities located within an hour's drive of the city. Whether you are looking for a two-year degree or a four-year degree, you will be able to find it in Ankeny.
Iowa State University and Drake University are also less than a 30-minute drive away, too.
Ankeny's Vibrant Economy
Ankeny's economy is strong and growing. The city's major employers include John Deere, Principal Financial Group, and Hy-Vee. Ankeny is also home to a number of smaller businesses and startups. The city's central location makes it an attractive place for businesses to locate. Additionally, the city offers a variety of economic development incentives to businesses that locate there.
The strong economy in Ankeny is one of the reasons that the cost of living is so affordable. The median home price in Ankeny is much lower than the median home price in the Des Moines Metro area. Additionally, the cost of living in Ankeny is lower than the national average. This makes Ankeny a great place to relocate to for families and individuals looking for an affordable place to live.
Is Ankeny for you?
Ankeny has been a staple for many commuters looking to balance work and life. It's a predominantly family-oriented city with an emerging dinner and nightlife scene, but that may be changing. While in years past many would need to seek entertainment, food, and nightlight in its neighboring cities, new commercial development has made staying within city limits more and more common.
With over 30-years of custom home design and building experience, Arbor Homebuilder’s team of award-winning designers and craftsmen have perfected the art of bringing our customer's visions to life, no matter their style. So, whether you're looking to design your dream home in Ankeny or somewhere else in the Des Moines metro, we're here to help.
