$481,968Average Value$243Average Price per Sq Ft15Homes For Sale
Quiet living in Waterbury
Waterbury residents can enjoy a quiet life about 4 miles from Downtown Des Moines. The neighborhood offers a feeling of suburban comfort and urban convenience, and the well-established suburb generates a neighborly feeling shared among its residents. “It has really wonderful people,” says Realtor Rose Green, who lives in Waterbury and sells homes there with Re/Max Concepts. “Our kids can all play together outside for hours, which is hard to find.” This residential neighborhood is filled with several different styles of homes, including Tudor and Colonial Revivals. “A lot of the homes are crossing the 100-year mark,” Green says. Locals can bike about 1 mile to Greenwood Park and the colorful Clare and Miles Mills Rose Garden or Downtown for a bite to eat and a trip to the farmer's market.
Local restaurants and access to big-box retail
Residents can grab dinner at Viva Mexican Restaurant at the edge of Grand Avenue or explore the many eateries in Downtown Des Moines. Green recommends the Motley School Tavern, or MST, as she and other locals call it, for brunch or happy hour. It's about 3 miles northeast. Clyde’s Fine Diner is another popular option, and the chef is a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef in the Midwest Award. The restaurant is about 5 miles east of the neighborhood. People travel about 1 mile to Fareway for groceries and can purchase other essentials at Walmart, about 2 miles away, and Home Depot, which is within a 4-mile drive.
Tudor Revivals in Waterbury
Brick and paved sidewalks line many of the neighborhood’s streets, although some lots extend to the road. Homes from the late 19th and early to mid-20th centuries are nestled on grassy lawns with mature trees. Many lawns are decorated with blossoming gardens and green shrubbery. A variety of housing styles fill Waterbury. Tudor Revivals with ivy clinging to their stone foundations are next to Colonial Revivals, while bungalows and Cape Cods sit across the street. Homebuyers can find a three-bedroom for $350,000 to $550,000 and a four-bedroom for $450,000 to $800,000; two-bedrooms often cost less than $250,000. Waterbury's median single-family home price is nearly twice as much as in Des Moines. About 80% of residents own their homes. “People love the old-growth trees and the older homes that have more of an idyllic character," says Realtor Diane Todd Brown, who sells houses in the neighborhood with Iowa Realty. “This is a place where people settle down for the long term.”
Waterbury residents enjoy Des Moines events
The Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market is about a 5-mile drive and runs every Saturday from May to October. There, people can shop for fresh produce, meats, eggs and more from local farmers and growers. Waterbury is 9 miles from the fairgrounds, which hosts the annual Iowa State Fair, where residents can enjoy live music and amusement park rides.
Waterbury High school students can earn college credit
As part of Des Moines Independent Community School District, also known as Des Moines Public Schools, Waterbury students can start at Hanawalt Elementary School, which receives a C-plus from Niche. Next, they can attend Merrill Middle School, which rates a C, before going to Roosevelt High School, which scores a B. At Roosevelt, students can participate in a dual enrollment program that earns them college credit with Des Moines Area Community College.
Greenwood Park’s rose garden just outside Waterbury
The Clare and Miles Mills Rose Garden, located in Greenwood Park, has been blooming since 1933. It features over 2,000 roses of 100 varieties that people can stroll through and enjoy. “It’s filled with people taking photos before every high school dance,” Green says of the park that's also popular for flower-filled wedding photos and senior portraits. The rest of Greenwood Park features a sprayground, tennis court and a pond that, when frozen, is a destination for ice skating. Neighboring the park is the Des Moines Art Center, which showcases a rotating collection of contemporary and modern art. “It’s a small but mighty collection,” Green says. The center also manages the Pappajohn Sculpture Park Downtown.
Waveland Trail is part of expansive biking system
Des Moines has an expansive system of bike trails, including Waterbury’s Waveland Trail, that spans nearly 70 miles throughout the city. Besides recreation, many people use the trails as part of their commute. Every May during Bike Month, the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) offers free bus rides to passengers with bikes. There are public bus stops on 59th Street and Grand Avenue. Locals can also travel to Downtown Des Moines by taking Interstate 235, about 5 miles. Des Moines International Airport is 9 miles away and offers direct flights to nearly 30 U.S. destinations and connections to international ones.
Waterbury residents can help maintain local watershed
As part of Walnut Creek Watershed, the city encourages residents to reduce stormwater runoff and water pollution. Some steps they can take are rerouting roof drains, using phosphorus-free fertilizer and cleaning up after pets. According to its website, the City of Des Moines offers 50% rebates, up to $2,000, for larger management projects, including planting native landscaping, rain gardens and installing rain barrels.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Waterbury
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Waterbury Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Waterbury, Des Moines sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Waterbury, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $410,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautifully updated historic home on Polk Blvd featuring 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a 2-car attached garage. Step inside to a spacious modern kitchen, perfect for entertaining and daily living. The living room showcases a stunning floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, creating a warm focal point for the home. Upstairs, you’ll find generous bedrooms with plenty of space for family, guests, or home
Welcome to Waterbury Commons, a boutique new-construction luxury in one of Des Moines’ most coveted neighborhoods. Tucked into prestigious Waterbury, this exclusive enclave delivers the rare combination of privacy, elevated design, and true lock-and-leave convenience—just minutes from the charm, dining, and everyday essentials that make this area so desirable. Crafted by Platinum Development
Unique 2.5-acre property located within Des Moines city limits, offering a rarecombination of space and convenience with quick access to I-235 for easy travelthroughout the metro. This ranch home features 5 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms andhas a finished lower level for additional living space. The home has been fully updatedwith hard surface flooring throughout and new carpet on
Welcome to Waterbury Commons, a boutique new-construction luxury in one of Des Moines’ most coveted neighborhoods. Tucked into prestigious Waterbury, this exclusive enclave delivers the rare combination of privacy, elevated design, and true lock-and-leave convenience—just minutes from the charm, dining, and everyday essentials that make this area so desirable. Crafted by Platinum Development
Charming and spacious 1.5-story brick home located in Des Moines’ desirable Waterbury neighborhood. Features include updated windows, large living spaces, ample storage, and a fully fenced yard with a generous deck. The finished basement offers a family room and a non-conforming 4th bedroom, perfect for guests, office use, or additional living space. Convenient location near bike trails, close to
Blending timeless charm with modern luxury, this meticulously restored home boasts over $3million in upgrades, with a focus on zero-entry design and full handicap accessibility throughout. Every detail has been considered, from heated front and back entry walks and garage approach,to heated floors in the bathrooms and formal dining room. Three spacious floors are easily accessible via a private
Looking for new-construction features w/the character of a Waterbury home on a treed lot? This is it! Nearly every inch of this 1939 home has been thoughtfully redone while preserving its original charm! Step inside the entryway that opens onto a spacious living room with a wood-burning fireplace and 2 sets of French doors opening to a screened-in porch! Formal dining room connects to flex
Charming two-story home offering approximately 1,800 square feet in the highly desirable Waterbury neighborhood, showcasing the timeless character and charm the area is known for. Ideally located just minutes from interstate access, providing a quick and convenient commute to West Des Moines and downtown.This spacious home features three bedrooms and three bathrooms, offering plenty of room
Luxury is effortless when every detail is designed for distinction. Rooted in the heart of Waterbury, this fully remodeled (2016–2025) 3,336 finished sqft. home embodies timeless craftsmanship and modern clarity. A rare opportunity to own a move-in-ready residence. Designed for those ready to step forward with purpose. Unmatched Quality featuring refined finishes, custom cabinetry, and
Welcome to Waterbury Commons, a boutique new-construction luxury in one of Des Moines’ most coveted neighborhoods. Tucked into prestigious Waterbury, this exclusive enclave delivers the rare combination of privacy, elevated design, and true lock-and-leave convenience—just minutes from the charm, dining, and everyday essentials that make this area so desirable. Crafted by Platinum Development
Welcome to Waterbury Commons, a boutique new-construction luxury in one of Des Moines’ most coveted neighborhoods. Tucked into prestigious Waterbury, this exclusive enclave delivers the rare combination of privacy, elevated design, and true lock-and-leave convenience—just minutes from the charm, dining, and everyday essentials that make this area so desirable. Crafted by Platinum Development
Welcome to Waterbury Commons, a boutique new-construction luxury in one of Des Moines’ most coveted neighborhoods. Tucked into prestigious Waterbury, this exclusive enclave delivers the rare combination of privacy, elevated design, and true lock-and-leave convenience—just minutes from the charm, dining, and everyday essentials that make this area so desirable. Crafted by Platinum Development
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
