Des Moines Homes for Sale & Real Estate Listings

Downtown and East Village

East Village is Des Moines' most walkable urban district, centered on the State Capitol Complex and defined by beautifully restored warehouse buildings now home to independent boutiques, galleries, coffee shops (Scenic Route Bakery), and restaurants. Housing stock is primarily condos, lofts in converted warehouse buildings, and new infill townhomes. Price per square foot is among the highest in the city, with condos typically starting in the mid-$200Ks and newer townhome construction ranging from $350K to $500K+. The Principal Riverwalk trail system connects East Village to Gray's Lake, the Botanical Garden, and the Iowa Events Center. Buyers here trade private outdoor space for direct walkability to Des Moines' cultural core.

Sherman Hill

Sherman Hill is Des Moines' oldest and most architecturally significant residential neighborhood, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The streetscape is a concentrated collection of well-preserved Victorian, Queen Anne, Italianate, Second Empire, and Gothic Revival homes from the 1870s through the early 1900s. Hoyt Sherman Place, a grand performing arts venue and gallery, anchors the neighborhood's cultural identity. Homes here typically range from $175K for fixer projects to $450K+ for fully restored properties. Exterior changes require review through the city's Historic Preservation Commission, which adds time and cost to renovation projects. Sherman Hill attracts buyers drawn to historic architecture, central location, and a neighborhood with strong artistic character.

Beaverdale

Beaverdale is one of Des Moines' most beloved and tightly knit residential neighborhoods, built predominantly from the 1920s through the 1940s. The "Beaverdale Brick" character homes, primarily Tudor and bungalow styles with Colonial and Craftsman examples, line tree-shaded streets surrounding Beaver Avenue, the neighborhood's main commercial corridor of locally owned coffee shops, restaurants, and services. The annual Beaverdale Fall Festival is one of the city's most attended neighborhood events. Typical home prices range from approximately $175K for a starter bungalow to $400K for a larger updated Tudor on a premium lot. Beaverdale draws buyers who want mid-century residential character, neighborhood community, and daily errands within a short drive without paying downtown condo premiums.

Drake and Waveland Park

The Drake neighborhood surrounds Drake University, one of Iowa's most prominent private universities with approximately 983 employees, and the area blends early-1900s bungalows, Tudor homes, and Colonial styles with the energy of a university district. Waveland Park borders the Waveland Park public golf course, one of Des Moines' most active public courses, and the adjacent residential streets offer solid 3- and 4-bedroom homes from approximately $200K to $450K. This area appeals to buyers seeking a yard, access to green space, and a shorter commute to Drake University or Des Moines' northwest employment corridors without the premium of South of Grand.

South of Grand and Waterbury

South of Grand is Des Moines' premier historic residential district, defined by majestic homes on tree-canopy streets and architectural showpieces including the Salisbury House, a meticulously preserved English manor with an extensive art collection and formal gardens. The neighborhood features Prairie School designs, elegant Georgian Revival homes, and substantial single-family residences typically ranging from $350K to $715K+, with premium parcels on Ridge Road and surrounding streets priced higher. The Des Moines Art Center is adjacent to South of Grand, reinforcing the neighborhood's cultural positioning. Waterbury, immediately adjacent, offers similar canopy-street character at slightly more accessible price points.

Parks and Trails

Gray's Lake Park anchors Des Moines' outdoor recreation with a 1.9-mile Kruidenier Trail loop, the illuminated Chris and Marcie Coleman pedestrian bridge, kayaking, paddleboarding, and seasonal events including yoga in the park and the Jingle Bell Stroll. The Principal Riverwalk trail system extends the trail network from the downtown riverfront to East Village, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, the Iowa Events Center, and Gray's Lake, with a riverfront amphitheater, outdoor ice skating rink (winter), and fountain plaza (summer) built into the promenade.

Arts and Culture

The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park at 1330 Grand Ave features works by 22 of the world's most celebrated sculptors on 4.4 acres of downtown green space, with free admission since its 2009 opening. The Des Moines Art Center houses a world-class permanent collection in three buildings designed by Eliel Saarinen, I.M. Pei, and Richard Meier, also with free general admission. Hoyt Sherman Place in Sherman Hill is one of Iowa's most historic performing arts venues. The annual Des Moines Arts Festival brings tens of thousands of visitors to the downtown core each summer.

Downtown Farmers' Market

The Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market operates every Saturday from May through October, spanning nine city blocks of Court Avenue and surrounding downtown streets. Managed by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the market hosts hundreds of Iowa farmers, bakers, artists, and craftspeople and regularly draws 20,000 to 30,000 visitors per Saturday. It is arguably the single event that most consistently defines Des Moines' community character: free, accessible, sprawling across the city's most walkable corridor, and present for six months of the year.

Dining and Neighborhoods

East Village's restaurant and coffee scene has earned national recognition, anchored by Scenic Route Bakery and a walkable grid of independent dining. Beaverdale's Beaver Avenue commercial strip serves as a neighborhood destination with locally owned cafes and dining. Court Avenue downtown concentrates nightlife, live music venues, and established restaurants within walking distance of the Principal Riverwalk and Pappajohn Sculpture Park. The Iowa Events Center and Wells Fargo Arena host major concerts, shows, and the Iowa Wild hockey team year-round.

$206,000

Median Sold (Mar 2026)

$193/sqft

+1.0% Year-Over-Year

44 Days

Median Days on Market

34.6

Median Age

By Air

Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is 15 to 20 minutes from most Des Moines city neighborhoods, positioned south of the city off I-35. American, Delta, Southwest, and United serve DSM with nonstop routes to Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Phoenix, and additional hubs. Frequent fliers and corporate travelers in the insurance and financial services sector will find DSM's scale appropriate for domestic travel needs while avoiding the congestion of larger hub airports.

By Car

Three major interstates converge in Des Moines: I-80 runs east-west along the city's southern perimeter; I-35 runs north-south through the western metro; I-235 bisects the city from west to east, connecting downtown to Clive and the western suburbs in approximately 10-14 minutes. The metro area's mean one-way commute is approximately 20 minutes, making Des Moines among the least traffic-stressed major metros in the Midwest. Principal Financial Group headquarters, Wells Fargo's major Iowa campus, and the Iowa State Capitol are all within the downtown core.

Within the Metro

DART (Des Moines Area Rapid Transit) operates a bus network connecting Des Moines neighborhoods to downtown and surrounding suburbs. Within the city, the Principal Riverwalk trail system and the broader metro trail network provide non-motorized connectivity between major parks, the downtown core, and residential neighborhoods. Surrounding communities including Clive, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Ankeny, and Johnston are all within 20 minutes of downtown by car, making Des Moines' central position efficient for residents whose work or life spans the full metro.

Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS)

Des Moines Public Schools is Iowa's largest school district, serving the city of Des Moines. DMPS operates five comprehensive high schools serving different sections of the city: East, Hoover, Lincoln, North, and Roosevelt. District-wide academic proficiency averages are below Iowa state benchmarks (39% math vs. 65% state; 53% reading vs. 71% state), reflecting the challenges of a large urban district serving a diverse and socioeconomically varied population. DMPS made gains on the Iowa School Performance Profile in 2025, and individual school performance varies significantly within the district.

Roosevelt High School

Roosevelt High School is the highest-ranked DMPS comprehensive high school by publicschoolreview.com (2025-26) and has the district's highest graduation rate at 87%, matching the Iowa state average. Roosevelt serves students in the south and southwest sections of Des Moines, including the Beaverdale, Drake, and Waveland Park attendance zones. Hoover High School is the second-ranked DMPS high school, serving the northeast section of the city. Buyers prioritizing school performance within DMPS should confirm specific school attendance zones for target addresses.

Open Enrollment and Private Options

Iowa's open enrollment policy allows students residing in Des Moines to enroll in neighboring suburban districts including West Des Moines CSD (home to Valley High School, #15 in Iowa), Johnston CSD, and Urbandale CSD, subject to available capacity and application deadlines. Many Des Moines families use open enrollment to access suburban district schools while living in city neighborhoods. Private school options include Des Moines Christian School, Dowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines), and other parochial options serving the metro. Confirming enrollment options and deadlines with specific districts is recommended before purchasing.