Ankeny offers plenty of restaurants, shopping, entertainment and easy access to the Des Moines metro—but you don't necessarily have to live in Ankeny to enjoy all of it.
If you're looking for a little more of a small-town feel while keeping Ankeny within an easy drive, there are several communities worth considering.
Whether you're hoping for a quieter neighborhood, more space, a different housing option or simply a smaller community, these towns offer convenient access to Ankeny while each having a personality of its own.
Here are some of the best small towns near Ankeny to consider when deciding where to live in Central Iowa.
Huxley, Iowa
Best for: Commuters who want convenient access to both Ankeny and Ames
Huxley is one of the first communities we'd recommend to someone who wants small-town living without feeling disconnected from everything happening in Ankeny.
Located north of Ankeny, Huxley has convenient access to both Highway 69 and Interstate 35. That makes it especially appealing if one person in the household works toward Ames while another commutes toward Ankeny or Des Moines.
Huxley has also grown considerably over the years, so buyers can find a mix of established neighborhoods and newer construction.
You'll still have the feel of a smaller community, but Ankeny's shopping, restaurants and everyday amenities aren't far away.
Huxley is part of the Ballard Community School District, another factor buyers may want to consider when comparing communities.
Why consider Huxley?
Convenient access to Ankeny
Easy access to I-35
Located between Ankeny and Ames
Established homes and newer construction
Small-town atmosphere with continued residential growth
Access to parks and trails
For someone who regularly travels between Ames and the Des Moines metro, Huxley's location is difficult to overlook.
Polk City, Iowa
Best for: Buyers who want small-town living with access to outdoor recreation
If being near the water, trails and outdoor recreation is high on your wish list, take a look at Polk City.
Located northwest of Ankeny, Polk City sits near Saylorville Lake and Big Creek State Park. That gives residents convenient access to boating, fishing, camping, trails and other outdoor activities.
The community also has a traditional town square that gives Polk City a distinct small-town feel.
While you're outside Ankeny, you're still close enough to head into town for shopping, dining and entertainment.
Polk City's location can also work well for households that need access to different parts of the Des Moines metro, particularly Ankeny, Johnston and the northwest side.
Why consider Polk City?
Close to Saylorville Lake
Big Creek State Park nearby
Small-town downtown area
Convenient access to Ankeny
Variety of housing options
Great option for buyers who prioritize outdoor recreation
If your ideal Saturday involves spending the morning on the lake or trail and heading into Ankeny later for dinner, Polk City deserves a spot on your list.
Elkhart, Iowa
Best for: Buyers who want to stay very close to Ankeny while moving to a smaller town
Elkhart is one of the closest small-town options to Ankeny.
Located northeast of Ankeny near I-35, Elkhart gives you a distinctly smaller community while keeping the amenities of Ankeny just a short drive away.
That can make it particularly appealing to someone who works in Ankeny but doesn't necessarily want to live in a larger suburb.
Depending on what's available, buyers may find traditional in-town properties as well as homes with a little more space in the surrounding area.
Why consider Elkhart?
Very close to Ankeny
Convenient interstate access
Small-town setting
Easy access to north Ankeny amenities
Worth considering for buyers looking for more space outside the city
For someone who says, "I want to be near Ankeny, but I don't need to live in Ankeny," Elkhart is one of the first places we'd look.
Slater, Iowa
Best for: Buyers who want a traditional Iowa small-town feel
Head northwest of Ankeny and you'll find Slater.
Slater offers a quieter, more traditional small-town environment while still providing reasonable access to Ankeny, Ames and surrounding communities.
One of the area's biggest recreational features is trail access. The High Trestle Trail runs through Slater, making the community particularly appealing to people who enjoy biking, running or walking.
Slater is also part of the Ballard Community School District.
Housing can vary from older homes near the center of town to newer residential development, giving buyers different options depending on what's currently on the market.
Why consider Slater?
Traditional small-town environment
High Trestle Trail access
Ballard Community School District
Access to Ankeny and Ames
Mix of older and newer housing
Quieter alternative to larger metro suburbs
Slater can be a good fit if you're willing to drive a little farther in exchange for a smaller community.
Cambridge, Iowa
Best for: Buyers looking for a truly small community between Ankeny and Ames
Cambridge is another Story County community worth considering, especially if you're looking for something noticeably smaller than Ankeny.
Located northeast of Huxley, Cambridge provides access to both the Ames and Ankeny areas while maintaining a very small-town setting.
This may be a good option for someone who doesn't need restaurants, shopping and entertainment right outside their front door and doesn't mind driving to nearby communities for more amenities.
Why consider Cambridge?
Very small-town atmosphere
Access to both Ames and Ankeny
Near Huxley
More rural surroundings
Good option for buyers who don't need big-city amenities nearby
Cambridge isn't going to feel like a suburb—and for some buyers, that's exactly the point.
Alleman, Iowa
Best for: Buyers who want to be extremely close to Ankeny without living in the city
Alleman is another community that can easily fly under the radar.
Located directly north of Ankeny, it's an especially interesting option for buyers who want a small-town or more rural environment while keeping their Ankeny commute short.
Because Alleman is a much smaller community, the number of homes available at any given time can be limited compared with Ankeny or Huxley.
But when the right property becomes available, the location can be a major advantage.
Why consider Alleman?
Immediately north of Ankeny
Short trip to Ankeny amenities
Small-town setting
Rural surroundings
Convenient for north-metro commuters
If proximity to Ankeny is your top priority, don't overlook Alleman simply because there aren't always many homes available.
Which Small Town Near Ankeny Is Right for You?
There's no single "best" town because it depends on what you want your day-to-day life to look like.
If you commute to both Ames and the Des Moines metro:
Start with Huxley.
If you love boating, trails and outdoor recreation:
Take a closer look at Polk City.
If you want to be as close to Ankeny as possible:
Consider Elkhart or Alleman.
If you want a traditional small-town atmosphere:
Look at Slater.
If you want something even smaller and don't mind driving for amenities:
Cambridge may be worth exploring.
The right choice also depends on where you work. Someone commuting to downtown Des Moines may prioritize interstate access differently than someone working in Ankeny, Ames or Johnston.
What Should You Consider Before Moving Outside Ankeny?
A lower price or larger yard isn't the only thing to consider when comparing communities.
Before buying, think about your entire routine.
How long will your commute actually take during the hours you travel?
Where will you buy groceries?
How often do you go to Ankeny for restaurants or shopping?
Which school district is the property located in?
How important is interstate access?
Do you want a walkable neighborhood or are you comfortable driving for most errands?
Would you rather have more space or be closer to amenities?
Driving through a community on a Saturday afternoon can also feel very different from making the commute at 7:30 on a Tuesday morning.
If you're seriously considering a town, test the drive during the times you'd actually be commuting.
Small-Town Living Without Giving Up Ankeny
One of the advantages of living in Central Iowa is that you don't have to go very far to find a completely different type of community.
Within a relatively short drive of Ankeny, you can choose between growing communities like Huxley, recreation-focused areas like Polk City, or much smaller towns like Elkhart, Slater, Cambridge and Alleman.
You can still head into Ankeny for Costco runs, dinner at The District, shopping along Delaware Avenue or everything else you regularly use—then head home to a smaller community.
Thinking About Moving Near Ankeny?
At the Hokel Real Estate Team, we work throughout Ankeny and many of the smaller Central Iowa communities surrounding it.
If you're not sure whether Ankeny, Huxley, Polk City, Elkhart, Slater or another nearby community makes the most sense for you, we can help you compare your options based on your budget, commute and what you're looking for in your next home.
You don't have to know exactly where you want to live before you start looking. Sometimes seeing what's available in a few different communities is the best way to figure it out.
Contact the Hokel Real Estate Team to start your home search in Ankeny and the surrounding Central Iowa communities.