Urbandale is the suburb that has had decades to figure itself out. Walkable downtown core, established neighborhoods, parks and trails everywhere, and a school district that's quietly one of the best-managed in the state. If you're considering a move to Urbandale, here's the honest assessment from someone who works this market daily.
You'll love Urbandale if you...
The Urbandale Community School District serves approximately 4,200 students. Established west-metro high school. Strong academic profile, well-known music + arts programs, competitive athletics.
For specific school-level performance metrics, the Iowa Department of Education's School Performance Profiles tool is the most current objective source. I also keep a separate deep-dive on Urbandale schools if you want every detail.
Urbandale has several distinct sub-markets, each with its own character: Highlands, Lakeshore, Walnut Hills, Polk City Road area, Cobble Creek. Each has different pricing, character, and target buyer. For specific neighborhood guidance, I work through this individually during the buyer consultation.
10-15 minutes to West Des Moines or downtown Des Moines on I-35/80.
Walker Johnston Regional Park + Living History Farms + the Urbandale Public Library is the community's anchor amenity — what residents talk about, what visitors come for, and what frequently appears in real estate listings as a value-add. If outdoor recreation, community events, or specific cultural anchors matter to you, Urbandale's identity around its anchor is one of the strongest in Central Iowa.
Median sale prices in Urbandale have run in the $325K-$475K range over the past 12 months, with new construction in the far north edge near 156th Street pushing the upper end. Days on market vary by price point and neighborhood — well-priced homes in popular zones move within 7-21 days; higher-priced or unique homes may take 30-90 days.
For a current snapshot of Urbandale inventory + pricing, I send a free monthly Central Iowa market report. Subscribe at Jackson's Hub.
Whether you're a first-time buyer, a move-up family, or a relocation buyer evaluating Urbandale for the first time, I can walk through what your specific budget gets you here vs. competing communities. No pressure, no sales pitch — just the numbers and the honest reality of the market.
Jackson Krile is a REALTOR® on the Flanders Team at RE/MAX Real Estate Center. Licensed in Iowa #S66867000. DMAAR + CIBR member. Serving Central Iowa.
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