A Guide To Ames - Relocation Packet

GUIDE TO AMES Everything you need to know about moving to Ames, Iowa

WELCOME TO AMES

HUNZIKER WELCOMES YOU!

Since 1952, Hunziker & Associates, REALTORS has been serving our clients’ complete residential and commercial real estate needs in Ames and the surrounding communities. Our owners, staff and real estate agents invest their time and resources into making this community a great place to live!

We would be honored to assist you with any of your real estate needs!

Hunziker Construction Services

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RELOCATION ASSISTANCE We offer complimentary relocation assistance through our award winning relocation department. Contact us for concierge service from our full-time staff. We can help you move across town, or across the nation! Services Offered: • Realtor® referral service • International moves • Hotel discounts • Short term housing information • Virtual house showings • Short term housing information

Hunziker & Associates, REALTORS® Ames Office: 105 South 16th Street Ames, IA 50014

Main Phone: 515-233-4450 www.HunzikerRealty.com Relocation Department: 515-239-8660 Relocation@Hunziker.com

COMMUNITY OVERVIEW

WELCOME TO AMES!

Ames offers a surprising amount of big city attractions and variety, while retaining the charm of a small welcoming hometown. With a population of more than 65,000, Ames offers cultural, recreational, educational, business, and entertainment amenities more common in bigger metros. As a growing city, Ames continues to focus on building a strong community filled with opportunities for all. The rich variety in Ames is due largely to the diverse population drawn from around the world to attend and work at Iowa State University. Internationally recognized for its achievements in scientific research, and ranked as one of the top 50 public universities in the nation, the ISU student body comes from all 50 states and over 110 countries. Metropolitan amenities such as national concert tours and world renowned performing artists are often hosted at Hilton Coliseum and Stephen’s Auditorium, Iowa’s Building of the Century. And of course, Iowa State Big 12 athletic events are widely attended by enthusiastic Cyclone fans. And, when peace and quiet are desired, Ames residents have time to enjoy nature, with easy access to 55 miles of trails, 36 beautiful parks, five golf courses, and Ada Haden Lake all within the city limits. And with a skate park, new aquatic center, city gymnasium and even hiking and downhill skiing nearby, there is always a recreational activity available. Ames residents get to choose their own speed and style in many other ways as well. Shoppers enjoy the choice of big box retail stores or small locally owned boutiques in the Main Street Cultural District. Abundant restaurants offer a wide variety from ethnic-themed experiences, to fast food favorites and vibrant night clubs in Campus Town. There is also a wide variety of housing choices in Ames, from contemporary new construction to well preserved older homes, and condos to acreages. Ames has a healthy real estate market, with a historically stable and steady growth in home values.

Although almost everything is available in Ames, it’s only a 30 minute drive to Iowa’s capital city of Des Moines. With a low crime rate, affordable housing, top rated schools, and exceptional area attractions, Ames residents enjoy a tremendous quality of life.

• 50 minute drive to DSM Airport

• 3 hour drive to Omaha, Kansas City, & Minneapolis

• 5 hour drive to Chicago

Population • Population: 66,258 • Iowa State Student Population: 33,391 (2019) • Median age: 23 yrs old • Households with children: 18% • Residents born outside the U.S: 12.7% • Residents born in Iowa: 52% 78% of workforce works white collar jobs Transportation • Average travel time to work: 15 minutes • Crime rate index: 0.43 (Less than half the national average of 1) Housing • Median Gross Rent: $956 • Cost of living Index: 91.4 (below the U.S. average of 100) Education • High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25+ years: 97.6% • Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25+ years: 62.3%

Sources: US Census Bureau and OnBoard Informatics, 2019

AMES STATISTICS

In 2015, Ames was named one of the “15 Cities That Have Done the Best Since the Recession” by Bloomberg Business and one of the top 25 “Best Places for STEM Grads.” Ames ranked No. 8 by Niche Ranking for “Best Towns for Millennials in America.” In 2019, Ames was named “Best College Town in America” by 24/7 Wall St. Additionally, USA Today named Ames as the healthiest city in America! These awards highlight the wonderful aspects of Ames that residents have enjoyed for years – friendly people, beautiful parks, great shopping, progressive schools, cultural and entertainment venues, quality healthcare, and recreational opportunities in every season. In 2015, the Ames Public Library celebrated its first anniversary in its expanded facility after an $18-million renovation that nearly doubled its size. A groundbreaking was held to mark the construction of a new, state-of-the-art $75-million water treatment plant, and the Ames Power Plant has converted from coal-produced electricity to cleaner natural gas. Throughout Ames, there is evidence of our growth. In addition to winning numerous awards for being a progressive, innovative, and exciting community, Ames has been recognized locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally for our schools, creativity, commitment to the environment, and numerous amenities. Ames and Iowa State together offer an unsurpassed quality of life.

Additional Recognitions

Best Places to Live Money, 2016

US Career Growth #1, SmartAsset, 2018

Best Performing Cities #11, Milken Institute, 2016

Top 10 Cities for Working Parents #2, WalletHub, 2017 Technology Community of the Year Technology Association of Iowa, 2017 Top 5 Small Metro Areas for Successful Aging NCOA, 2017 Best School District in the State #1, Niche, 2017 The 25 Best Cities for Entrepreneurs #8, Entrepreneur Magazine, 2017

Best Small Cities for New Grads Online Degrees, 2016

Top 10 Cities for Career Opportunities #8, SmartAsset, 2016 The Healthiest Cities in America #3, 24/7 Wall St., 2016 Iowa State University named “Best College in Iowa” Money, 2016 Best Small Cities for Making a Living MoneyGreek, 2016

AMES HISTORY

Iowa was established as a state in 1846. Prior to the settlement of Iowa, the Ames area was home to the Sac and Fox Indians, also called the Mesquakie. In 1858, the state of Iowa chartered land for a model farm and agricultural college in an undeveloped area which is today Iowa State University. It was the first public college established in the nation. In 1864, Ames was selected as a railway stop since the two rivers running through the area provided ample water for refilling steam engines. Trains still travel through Ames daily on what is now the Union Pacific railroad. In 1904, a state highway commission was established in Ames. The Iowa Department of Transportation remains as one of the largest employers in Ames. After World War II, the G.I. Bill enabled thousands of returning veterans to attend college. Between the years of 1945 to 1946, attendance grew at Iowa State from 3400 to 9200. The university has continued to grow and in 2010 a new enrollment record was set of over 28,000 students. The city of Ames has also grown steadily since 1940 when the population was only 10,500.

INTERESTING FACTS

• During WWII, Iowa State University secretly helped the government purify uranium for the Manhattan Project. • The world’s first computer was invented at Iowa State between 1937-1942, but credit was largely attributed elsewhere until a lengthy court trial in 1973. • George Washington Carver, famous for developing hundreds of uses for crops including peanuts, was the 1st African American student at Iowa State University, and later, its first African American professor. • Famous former Ames residents include Actor Nick Nolte and Professional Baseball Player and Evangelist, Billy Sunday. • Laurel Clark, an astronaut lost in the space shuttle Columbia tragedy was born in Ames. • Olympic wrestling gold medalists, Dan Gable and Cael Sanderson, wrestled and coached at Iowa State University.

LIVING IN IOWA

Iowans enjoy a rich quality of life, with a low cost of living, stable economy, ample employment opportunities, safe neighborhoods, thriving metropolitan areas, top school systems, friendly citizens, and a wealth of recreational and cultural activities.

IOWA NICE

Classic Iowan Mentality Iowans tend to pride themselves on being practical and down to earth. Common sense and personal responsibility are highly valued. This is mixed with a tremendous openness to new ideas, quick adoption of new technology, and a friendly disposition and willingness to help others. Politically Influential Iowa is the first state in the nation to conduct caucuses to select presidential candidates. Therefore, Iowa voters determine who will be viewed as the front runner or drop out of the race. Presidential hopefuls begin making appearances in the state 2 years before the election. Des Moines, Iowa’s capital and largest city, is just 35 miles from Ames. The greater Des Moines metropolitan area has a population of 655,000 and is the fastest-growing Midwest metro, according to Business Record, 2019. Des Moines is a hub for finance and insurance. It maintained unemployment rates dramatically lower than the national average during the last economic downturn. This is just one reason it was named by Forbes Magazine as the #1 “Best Place for Business and Careers” in 2017. The Effect of Agriculture Agriculture is second to manufacturing in terms of gross domestic product and only a small percentage of Iowans work directly on farms or in Ag related businesses. However, a high percentage of Iowans have spent time on a farm either growing up as a child when smaller family farms were common, or by visiting a farm owned by relatives. The two predominant crops are corn and soybeans.

Iowa Weather: What to Expect Iowa fully experiences all four seasons. The summers are hot and humid, with an average high of 84° in July. Lots of sunshine mixed with adequate rainfall creates a lush green landscape in the summer along with beautiful blue skies and as one visitor put it, “perfect clouds.” Iowans prize summers for outdoor recreation and entertaining opportunities. Winters are cold enough to produce a blanket of snow for several weeks each winter. Sledding, snowmobiling, or building snowmen are common winter pass times. The average high in January is 27°. Spring and fall are mild and picturesque, although temperatures can swing widely within a day or two while the seasons are changing. Fall is usually dry and the fields will turn brown before harvesting. Iowa’s severe weather includes blizzards, thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes. Snow and ice can cause traffic slowdowns, but is usually cleared quickly and road crews apply salt to minimize icy conditions on the roadways. It is not uncommon for school to be cancelled due to blizzards a few times each year. Tornados often worry newcomers, but tornado damage affects only a very small percentage of Iowans annually. Communities sound sirens to give residents advanced warning to take cover, so loss of life or property is rare- although you will likely see damage reported on the news from somewhere in the state every year. The most common time for tornadoes is spring and summer late afternoons and early evenings, although they can occur at other times. Thunderstorms occasionally produce wind or hail damage, but also create majestic white thunderheads topping 25,000 feet, visible from halfway across the state during the summer.

SCHOOL INFORMATION

AMES SCHOOL DISTRICT

Ames is widely recognized for high quality educational opportunities, not just at the university level, but also from elementary through high school grade levels. Two community school districts are located within the city limits of Ames. Open enrollment is possible between districts when space is available. Private schools are also available. Ames Community School District is one of the best in Iowa, featuring small class sizes, highly qualified teachers, rigorous academic standards, an abundance of extracurricular opportunities, and many advanced placement classes for college credit.

https://www.ames.k12.ia.us/

Ames Community School District Statistics

• Students: 4,900 • Teachers: 358, plus 165 educational assistants. 52% have Masters degrees. • Student Teacher Ratio: 15/1 Ames High School Points of Pride • Ames High School ranks second in the world in academics behind Shanghai Ames High School has: • 15 Presidential scholars in the school’s history • 80 National Merit Scholar finalists in the last five years • 23 straight State Science Olympiad Championships • 115 All-State musicians in the last five years • 15% of all All-State artists • The most athletics state championships of any school in Iowa

Ames Community School District is in the process of updating their facilities for 21st Century learning. The community supported a $55 million school bond issue in 2012 to rebuild or remodel all five elementary schools. August 2016 marked the completion of the elementary construction initial projects. Through other capital fund revenue streams, they’ve updated the high school security vestibule, built a new administration building and they’re improving the high school athletic fields. The Board has approved plans for completing a new facilities, maintenance and bus storage building in 2017. In April of 2018 the community supported a $110 million bond issued to build a new high school. Gilbert Community School District Homes located north of Bloomington Road in Ames are in the Gilbert School District. Gilbert is a small town a few miles north of Ames. The academic quality is excellent and many families interested in a smaller school system seek homes in the Gilbert district.

Iowa State University Founded in 1858 as the Iowa Agricultural College, Iowa State University has a legacy of cutting-edge research and high-quality state education. Iowa State is particularly known for excellent agricultural, engineering, and veterinary medicine programs. In addition, Iowa State draws many well-known entertainers, top-notch sports, and many fantastic traditions. Over 36,000 students attend ISU, and the university offers over 100 programs and degrees. Des Moines Area Community College DMACC’s Hunziker Career Academy in Ames offers High School students an opportunity to earn college credits. For adults, Iowa’s largest community college features a main campus in nearby Ankeny. Over 75 career programs are offered.

THINGS TO DO

Adventureland Park

Reiman Gardens

Prairie Moon Winery

C.Y. Stephens Auditorium

Ledges State Park

High Trestle Trail

Jack Trice Stadium

Seven Oaks Recreation

AMES ACTIVITIES & THINGS TO DO

Sports & Recreation City of Ames Parks and Recreation Civic & Social Houses of Worship Community Organizations Volunteer Center of Story County Events Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau City of Ames Calendar of Events Calendar of Events Golf Courses (Public & Private) Ames Golf and Country Club

(515) 239-5434

(515) 268-5323

(515) 232-4032

(515) 232-8334 (515) 294-6727 (515) 233-4664 (515) 239-5363 (515) 232-9862

Veenker Memorial Golf Coldwater Golf Links Homewood Golf Course

Oaks Golf Course

Special Interest ACTORS Ames Community Theater

(515) 232-2354

Ames Municipal Band Octagon Center for the Arts

(515) 232-5331

CENTRAL IOWA ACTIVITIES & THINGS TO DO

Tourism & Event information available at www.TravelIowa.com

Amusement Parks Adventureland, Altoona Large Museums Science Center of Iowa, Des Moines Living History Farms, Urbandale Christian Petersen Art Museum, Ames Des Moines Art Museum, Des Moines State Historical Museum, Des Moines Train Rides & Museum Boone Scenic Valley Railroad, Boone Zoo Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines

Cultural Event Centers Iowa State Center, Ames Iowa Events Center, Des Moines Civic Center, Des Moines

Des Moines Playhouse, Des Moines Des Moines Symphony, Des Moines Wineries Prairie Moon Winery, Ames Snus Hill Winery, Madrid White Oak Vineyards, Cambridge Shopping Centers Main Street Cultural District, Downtown Ames North Grand Mall, Ames Jordan Creek Town Center, West Des Moines Farmers Markets Ames Farmers Market, Ames Des Moines Farmers Market, Downtown Des Moines Public Gardens Reiman Gardens, Ames Botanical Garden, Des Moines Iowa Arboretum, Luther Sporting Events – College and Semi-Professional Iowa State University Athletics, Ames Iowa Barnstormers Arena Football, Des Moines

Buccaneers Hockey, Urbandale Iowa Cubs Baseball, Des Moines

Iowa Energy Basketball, Des Moines Iowa Speedway (NASCAR), Newton Des Moines Menace Soccer, West Des Moines

Trails/ Parks/ Biking/Large Lakes Ada Hayden Heritage Park, Ames Ledges State Park, Boone High Trestle Bike Trail, Ankeny to Woodward Saylorville Lake, Des Moines Gray’s Lake, Des Moines Big Creek State Park, Polk City Ice Skating Ames / ISU Ice Arena, Ames Brenton Skating Plaza (Outdoor), Downtown Des Moines Skiing, Snowboarding, River Tubing & Canoeing Seven Oaks Recreation Area, Boone Casinos Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino, Altoona Meskwaki Bingo Casino & Hotel, Tama

HOUSING MARKET

AMES HOUSING MARKET STATS

Ames has a healthy real estate market, with slow and steady growth in home values. Even when other areas in the nation and state have been adversely affected by the economic downturn, the Ames market has historically remained remarkably stable. Ames is a smart place to invest in a home. Ames has an abundance of state & federal employees, which has contributed to its economic resilience compared to areas with less stable job bases. There is a wide variety of housing choices in Ames, from new construction to charming older homes, condos to acreages, and architecture styles from modern to traditional and everything in between. Many homes have large trees or are located near green spaces, parks and walking trails.

Based on information reported to the Central Iowa MLS 1/1/23 to 12/31/2023 *Does not include new-construction homes

Single Family Homes The majority of homes for sale in Ames are single family homes. There is a lot of variety: they range from modest to magnificent, restored historical to brand new construction in a variety of styles and price points. Condos & Townhomes Although not as plentiful as single family homes, there are a variety of condo and townhome options available for those looking for a lowmaintenance home ownership option. Many are located in newer developments. Acreages Even through Ames is surrounded by farm land, there are not usually many acreages available, and these properties often are priced at a premium. This is due to the large amounts of land owned by public entities such as ISU and the USDA as well as a restriction on breaking off an individual home site from farm ground in Story county. There are some rural subdivisions near Ames with homes on acre and larger lots, some large enough to accommodate horses. Lots For those looking to build a home, lots are available at a variety of price points.

To view all the homes for sale in Ames visit www.HunzikerRealty.com

To find a real estate professional to represent you, visit our website or contact our Relocation Department to be personally matched to a well qualified agent.

BUSINESS INDUSTRY

Ames has a historically stable economy. Unemployment rates are usually very low; often half of the national average. The abundance of state and federal government jobs in the area along with the diverse employment base have contributed to the area’s resilience in times of economic downturn.

Iowa State University

Iowa State University is the largest employer in Ames, with 16,000 employees serving over 36,000 students. Iowa State is world-renown for scientific discovery and is a center for research, especially in agriculture and technology. Over 100 programs of study are available. The student body comes from all 50 states and over 120 countries. Many events are hosted on campus and at the Iowa State Center, which boosts tourism revenue to the area. Many national concert tours are hosted every year, along with conventions and events such as the Special Olympics, the Iowa Games, and Odyssey of the Mind.

Workiva Workiva is an enterprise software company based in Ames. Its main product is Wdesk, a cloud-based enterprise management and auditing software platform that enables companies to create and file financial and compliance reports and documents to the SEC and other federal and state regulatory agencies.

National Animal Disease Center

One of the largest animal disease control centers in the world is located in Ames. The 1 million square foot research facility includes high- containment lab space and several animal herds are kept on site. It is managed by the United States Department of Agriculture. The buildings and animal pastures are visible from I-35.

Danfoss

Iowa State University Research Park The research park offers office and lab space along with business development assistance to help turn new technologies into viable business opportunities.

Danfoss is a global company headquartered in Ames. They design and build hydrostatic transmissions for farm equipment and large off-highway equipment.

Barilla Barilla pasta is manufactured in Ames. Barilla is an Italian owned company.

REG

Renewable Energy Group is a leading provider of cleaner, lower carbon intensity products and services. We are an international producer of biomass-based diesel, a developer of renewable chemicals and North America’s largest producer of advanced biofuel.

Ames Laboratory Ames Laboratory is a research facility of the US Department of Energy run by Iowa State University focused on energy solutions.

Hach Company Hach is a world leader in water quality testing & treatment supplies. It was founded in Ames by a husband and wife team in 1947.

Iowa Department of Transportation

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s central administrative office is the second largest employer in Ames. They are responsible for engineering road work and issuing state driver’s licenses.

McFarland Clinic, PC McFarland Clinic PC is Central Iowa’s largest physician-owned health care clinic, serving 12 Iowa communities and employing over 1,100 people.

Mary Greeley Medical Center Mary Greeley Medical Center is a hospital owned by the city of Ames. Mary Greeley offers more than 36 specialties, and serves 13 counties.

MOVING GUIDE

Utilities Electric & Water City of Ames.....................................................................(515) 239-5120 Electric Midland Power................................................................(515) 386-4111 Alliant Energy...................................................................(800) 255-4268 Natural Gas Alliant Energy...................................................................(800) 255-4268 Garbage Service Resource Recovery Plant................................................(515)-239-5137 Phone / Internet / TV Century Link....................................................................(800) 244-1111 Mediacom........................................................................(800) 332-0245 Mid-Iowa Satellite (TV only)............................................(515) 233-1112 Government Contacts Post Office // 210 Welch Avenue...................................(515) 292-2098 City Hall // 515 Clark Avenue.........................................(515) 239-5200 Voter Registration...........................................................(515) 382-7210 Driver’s License // 3708 W Lincoln Way........................(515) 296-2393 County Court House // Nevada, Iowa...........................(515) 382-7255 City of Ames Assessor // 515 Clark Avenue.................(515) 239-5370

Transportation Executive Express // (Shuttle to Des Moines)............. (888) 522-9899 CyRide // (City bus service)............................................(515) 292-1100 Medical Care Mary Greeley (Hospital) // 1111 Duff Avenue............. (515) 239-2011 McFarland Clinic // 1215 Duff Avenue......................... (515) 239-4400 News Sources Ames Tribune................................................................. (515) 663-6900 Des Moines Register...................................................... (877) 424-0225 Miscellaneous Ames Chamber of Commerce...................................... (515) 232-2310 Ames Public Library....................................................... (515) 239-5646

NOTES:

www.HunzikerRealty.com | 515-233-4450 | Info@Hunziker.com

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