Vibrant
Central Iowa Neighborhoods
There's a lot to love about the heart of the heartland. Boone, Story and Polk county communities offer their own unique set of opportunities.
Ames
Ames, located in the heart of Iowa, is just 30 miles north of Des Moines and home to Iowa State University. Ames balances the best of small-town living with big city opportunities, and others are taking note. In 2022, Livability ranked Ames in the Top 100 Best Places to Live and in 2021 it was picked as one of the nation's 10 Best Places to Retire.
Ames has 33 parks offering a variety of recreation opportunities. This includes Ada Hayden Park featuring hiking and bike trails, hundreds of acres and prairie, and boat access to the 130-acre lake.
Located on campus is Reiman Gardens, a 14-acre year-round site featuring a 2,500 square foot butterfly wing. The Iowa State Center brings world-class performing arts to Ames and houses the Brunnier Art Museum,
and sports bring another level of excitement to the area as the ISU Cyclones compete in the Big 12 in football, basketball, wrestling, and more.
Community Activities
-
Burgies - Local Coffee Shop Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 1
-
Ames Farmers Market Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 2
-
Downtown Ames Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 3
Boone
Plotted as a railroad town in 1865, Boone is located 15 miles west of Ames and home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's wife, Mamie Geneva Doud, and Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Chad Rinehart.
Boone offers 14 parks, Boone Municipal Pool, three park shelters, and a pavilion. Families also enjoy biking along the High Trestle Trail or tubing down the Des Moines River. You can also snow tube, snowboard, or ski at Seven Oaks Recreation.
The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad is a popular attraction offering scenic and dining excursions. Additionally, the new James H. Andrew Railroad Museum and History Center is underway and will feature over 5000 pieces of railroad memorabilia. Boone celebrates its Railroad Heritage each year with Pufferbilly Days, one of Iowa's top-five community festivals.
Community Activities
-
Ledges State Park Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 1
-
Blissful Brew Coffee & Shop Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 2
-
Boone Farmers Market Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 3
Gilbert
Gilbert is a small town situated just 4 miles north of Ames. A family-friendly community, the Gilbert Community School District covers 48 square miles providing quality education in its elementary, middle school, and high school. Gilbert area real estate includes family homes within the community as well as farmland and acreages.
Community Activities
-
The Vault Cafe Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 1
-
The Open Flame Steakhouse Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 2
-
Lions Park Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 3
Nevada
A nice and quiet community, Nevada is located in Central Iowa, just nine miles east of Ames is the county seat for Story County. It offers quality small-town family living with a short commute to Ames, Marshalltown, and Des Moines. Nevada has been recognized as the "26th Best Small Community in America".
6,800 residents enjoy all of the parks and recreation amenities, including the Fawcett Family Aquatic Center, 6 parks, the Indian Creek Greenbelt Trail, and SCORE Recreation Athletic Complex.
The Nevada Community School District is comprised of Central Elementary, Nevada Middle School, Nevada High School, and the Nevada Community Resource Center that offers before and after-school programs, and summer programs for children.
List of Services
-
Renn's Cafe Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 1
-
The Well Brewery + Market Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 2
-
Kiwanis Park Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 3
Slater
Slater was formed in 1883 as a railroad crossing. Originally referred to as the Sheldahl Crossing since a small portion of Sheldahl residents moved their homes and businesses to be near the depot, it was later renamed Slater and was incorporated in 1890.
Today, Slater has a population of just under 1,500. The Heart of Iowa Trail runs through town and the community also offers 3 city parks, Slater Municipal Pool, baseball and softball leagues, and a soccer club. The Ballard Community School District's elementary school is also located in Slater.
List of Services
-
Public House 421 - Coffee Shop Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 1
-
Cole's Ice Cream Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 2
-
Night Hawk Bar & Grill Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.List Item 3
Story County
Today, Story County is home to many progressive communities, farm land, and acreages. Click a community below to view listings in these towns.
Maxwell: population 875
Collins: population 511
McCallsburg: population 360
Colo: population 862
Roland: population 1,378
Zearing: population 539
Polk County
Polk County is Iowa's most populous county and home to over 14% of residents.
DES MOINES: population 210,381
ANKENY: population 74,458
BONDURANT: population 8,959
POLK CITY: population 6,303
WEST DES MOINES: population 72,205
JOHNSTON: population 24,640
