The city of Ames is located in the center of the state of Iowa, and it has a population of close to 59,000, as of the 2010 U.S. Census. The city is home to Iowa State University of Science and Technology, which attracts a steady stream of new residents. Other major employers include the U.S. National Animal Disease Center and the Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory. If you are relocating to Iowa and looking for Real Estate In Ames, there are several things to consider.
First of all, in real estate, location is everything, so determine what type of area or neighborhood you’d like to live in. Campustown is a neighborhood very near the university with a lot of student apartments and nightlife. Though a perfect choice for certain types of students, it might not be ideal for someone who has a family or wants to live in a quieter environment. The downtown district is close enough to the university that students or employees can easily bike back and forth. The area north of downtown known as Old Town is less popular with students, but still very convenient to downtown and campus.
Something for people with children to consider is the proximity of schools. Ames has six elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, Ames High School, which was ranked among the top high schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report in 2013. Many families may want to look for a house that is within walking or biking distance of the school or day care that their child will attend.
Ames has both new homes and older homes for sale. The Old Town Historic District is the place to look for older homes, especially those built between the 1870s and the 1920s. As a designated historic district, its homes are preserved or renovated with minimal outward changes. Gabled windows, wrap-around porches, columns, and Tudor-style architecture can all be found in this area. However, there are also plenty of new housing developments around Ames with up-to-date homes designed to accommodate modern standards of comfort and convenience.
Once you determine the type of neighborhood and type of home you want to live in, it’s time to contact a real estate agent and start looking at the possibilities.
