The City of Norwalk

**ISUguy** · 04-02-2012, 07:02 AM

I have a possible job opportunity that will lead my family and I to live in Norwalk. I have not lived in Iowa for around 20 years and have not been in that area for even longer. You learn alot from a Google search, but I was hoping for some personal feedback.

Can anyone give me their impression of the area? Is this high income, low income, or somewhere in the middle? Also wondering what the schools are like.

Thanks in advance!

**Cyclonepride** · 04-02-2012, 07:21 AM

I live in Indianola, so I get there quite often. There has been quite a bit of building in the last several years, so my general impression is that it is fairly nice. We looked at buying a house there when we bought our last one. The main downside seemed to be the limited amount of stores and restaurants.

**CyRyder** · 04-02-2012, 07:27 AM

It's grown a lot in 20 years. There are some monster homes and some low income too. So I'd say it's a pretty average middle class community. I live there now, but plan on moving before kids start school, mostly just because I want them in WDM schools. I'm not a huge fan of most of the businesses there (Fareway, Pizza Hut, and the gas stations being the execptions) because the locally owned shops tend to be run by cranky people, so I usually end up getting my goods in WDM. Overall, it's a nice community. Btw, they have four courses in the area (and 5 if you count Willow Creek on the other side of the bypass). Hope this helps.

**CyRyder** · 04-02-2012, 07:33 AM

In the last post I meant to say that Norwalk has four GOLF courses.

Like the first poster said, there aren't a lot of businesses there as most people work in DSM/WDSM so the ones who absorb the property taxes are the home owners. My property taxes were almost the same as my parents (living in WDSM) and their house is valued at almost twice as much.

**baller21** · 04-02-2012, 07:44 AM

If your lucky you'll get to be neighbors with HawkfromNorwalk.

**cycloneworld** · 04-02-2012, 07:48 AM

It's a nice community but property taxes are very high. The nice thing is you should be able to find a house that fits your budget as there are some smaller, older homes on the cheaper side all the way up to huge, new homes.

Keep in mind that Norwalk is 10 minutes from WDM & Des Moines so you could easily live in the Metro and commute to Norwalk.

It really depends what your goals are (do you have kids, are bars/restaurants important, etc.).

**l2alphmacchio** · 04-02-2012, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by cycloneworld

Keep in mind that Norwalk is 10 minutes from WDM & Des Moines so you could easily live in the Metro and commute to Norwalk.

Pretty sure the two positions open require residency.

**Clonefan32** · 04-02-2012, 08:18 AM

My wife and I are moving to Norwalk in May. We really like the town and it is a perfect location as I am working in Indianola and her in Waukee. Being from around the area, it looks like the town is growing, there are more restaurants and shops popping up, and apparently there is a lake I never knew about. We are very much looking forward to the move.

**DRCHIRO** · 04-02-2012, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by CyRyder

It's grown a lot in 20 years. There are some monster homes and some low income too. So I'd say it's a pretty average middle class community. I live there now, but plan on moving before kids start school, mostly just because I want them in WDM schools. I'm not a huge fan of most of the businesses there (Fareway, Pizza Hut, and the gas stations being the execptions) because the locally owned shops tend to be run by cranky people, so I usually end up getting my goods in WDM. Overall, it's a nice community. Btw, they have four courses in the area (and 5 if you count Willow Creek on the other side of the bypass). Hope this helps.

We moved here three years ago and I must be one of those cranky business owners.

For the most part, Norwalk has everything that you need but some options may be limited. You're about 15 minutes away from a lot of options though. My wife and I love it here. We live in a nice neighborhood with a lot of other young families with kids so it works for us. Our oldest doesn't start kindergarten until next year but Norwalk has very nice schools and it's the largest 3A school in the state.

The property taxes suck but you should have no issues finding a home. PM me with any more questions.

**Knownothing** · 04-02-2012, 08:48 AM

I live in Norwalk. Moved here about 6 years ago. It's great. It's small town living but just minutes from Des Moines.
To the guy who is moving from Norwalk to get his kids WDM schools. Norwalk schools are far better than West Des Moines schools. It's not even close. I wish I had an education like they have in Norwalk. It's unreal how good the schools are. As of two years ago Norwalk for it's size averaged more kids going to college than any school in Iowa.
It's been rated as a top 5 school in Iowa. Not sure what the hell you would move your kids to WDM for.

**ISUguy** · 04-02-2012, 08:53 AM

Looking to raise a family as we have kids. Bars, etc. would not be that important anymore (sadly).

**ISUguy** · 04-02-2012, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Knownothing

I live in Norwalk. Moved here about 6 years ago. It's great. It's small town living but just minutes from Des Moines.
To the guy who is moving from Norwalk to get his kids WDM schools. Norwalk schools are far better than West Des Moines schools. It's not even close. I wish I had an education like they have in Norwalk. It's unreal how good the schools are. As of two years ago Norwalk for it's size averaged more kids going to college than any school in Iowa.
It's been rated as a top 5 school in Iowa. Not sure what the hell you would move your kids to WDM for.

Great to know. That is probably the biggest factor for us. Also saw the property taxes were relatively high, but in my experience, good schools need to be paid for so I guess that does not surprise me.

**Knownothing** · 04-02-2012, 08:57 AM

Property taxes being high also keeps bad people out. The whole town is trending up as far as housing.

**GoCubsGo** · 04-02-2012, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by CyRyder

It's grown a lot in 20 years. There are some monster homes and some low income too. So I'd say it's a pretty average middle class community. I live there now, but plan on moving before kids start school, mostly just because I want them in WDM schools. I'm not a huge fan of most of the businesses there (Fareway, Pizza Hut, and the gas stations being the execptions) because the locally owned shops tend to be run by cranky people, so I usually end up getting my goods in WDM. Overall, it's a nice community. Btw, they have four courses in the area (and 5 if you count Willow Creek on the other side of the bypass). Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Knownothing

I live in Norwalk. Moved here about 6 years ago. It's great. It's small town living but just minutes from Des Moines.
To the guy who is moving from Norwalk to get his kids WDM schools. Norwalk schools are far better than West Des Moines schools. It's not even close. I wish I had an education like they have in Norwalk. It's unreal how good the schools are. As of two years ago Norwalk for it's size averaged more kids going to college than any school in Iowa.
It's been rated as a top 5 school in Iowa. Not sure what the hell you would move your kids to WDM for.

I agree with knownothing - not sure that moving from Norwalk to WDM schools is an improvement.