Drake - Des Moines, IA Area Guide

The Drake neighborhood has a rich and colorful history defined by the Des Moines event of the year, the Drake Relays, one of the top track and field competitions in the country. Every April, thousands of attendees flood the streets near Drake University to celebrate one of the oldest sporting events in the United States.

As with the Relays, the Drake neighborhood has witnessed several changes throughout the years that include major housing renovations and the addition of the central business district just east of campus. The Drake neighborhood has evolved from a mostly residential community to an area that promotes small business development. The Drake neighborhood has also changed demographically from one dominated by students and professors to a more balanced neighborhood that includes residents who do not rely on the university for employment. Drake University offers Des Moines area residents a fertile ground to expand their cultural awareness by hosting numerous theater productions throughout the year.

When "Man Versus Food" taped a show at Jethro's BBQ, Drake neighborhood restaurants became the talk of Des Moines. Tucked in a small business district next to the university, award-winning Jethro's BBQ does much more than leave you stuffed after gorging on the lip-smacking barbecue. The restaurant features an eclectic selection of menu items that transcends typical barbecue joints. The wait for a table during the week exceeds one hour, so you can imagine the difficulty of securing a table on the weekends.

On the other side of campus sits a popular destination for both students and Drake residents to fire up the laptop or relax in a stylishly designed cafe. Mars Cafe combines the elements that make Starbucks highly popular with a menu featuring Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as hummus and the cafe's signature Greek Salad. You'll find this restaurant in the central restaurant area that sits along University Avenue just east of Drake University, a district which includes a wide variety of ethnic cuisines.

Only a few bars line the streets within the Drake neighborhood, catering mostly to college students and professors. One exception is The Library, an aptly named watering hole that sits alone on the west side of campus. Known as the spot for enjoying the best nachos in the Des Moines area, The Library offers customers a large selection of handcrafted beers on tap, including beers brewed locally. The West End Lounge has transitioned from a typical college bar into a stylish pub that includes a shuffleboard and pool table to keep patrons entertained. Drake neighborhood residents who want to shake it on the dance floor have to travel to the Court Avenue District located in downtown Des Moines.

Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) provides the public transportation services for residents of the Drake neighborhood. As the highest volume line, the number # 3 University route extends from downtown Des Moines to Valley West Mall located in West Des Moines, cutting through the middle of the Drake neighborhood on its way.

Although Des Moines has an extensive cycling trail system, none of the trails pass through the Drake neighborhood. Cyclists and pedestrians compete for sidewalk usage, as cyclists often do not have the option of riding on narrow streets such as Forest and University Avenues. Virtually every side and main street within the neighborhood provides walkers with well-maintained sidewalks.

Drake neighborhood residents live adjacent to Interstate 235, which represents the area's main artery, taking drivers to downtown Des Moines and the city of West Des Moines. Interstate 235 circles around the metro area to reach Interstates 35 and 80. Parking meters line University Avenue in the heart of the business district, but residents pay nothing to park on the side streets where they live.

Uber entered the Des Moines market in 2013, but the service has yet to form strong roots in the Drake neighborhood. Because of the neighborhood's close proximity to most types of businesses and access to a convenient bus line, taxi service hasn't become an important transportation mode for neighborhood residents.

Located just off fraternity and sorority row, Witmer Park spans several acres that include a small fishing pond and an area for disc golf. Drake neighborhood residents live close to the most prominent park in Des Moines, Gray's Lake. Students without cars can hop on the number 3 University bus and find themselves boating on Gray's Lake within 30 minutes. The park features a bike trail that connects to the main cycling paths that cut through the city. Gray's Lake acts as the backdrop for the city's Fourth of July Fireworks display, as well as the open venue for live concerts. Child-friendly parks abound in the Des Moines area, including the parks within the Drake neighborhood.

Drake neighborhood cyclists ride to the path adjacent to the Waveland Golf Course to join the cyclists that traverse the city of Des Moines on bike. The closest dog park to the Drake neighborhood sits about 3 miles away in Windsor Heights. Canines and their best friends park at the Walmart and take the bike trail about a half-mile to reach the Windsor Heights dog park. All of the small parks within the Drake neighborhood cost nothing to use.

The cost of living in the Drake neighborhood falls six percent below the national average and one percent below the average cost of living for Des Moines residents who live in other neighborhoods. However, Drake neighborhood residents pay more for one-bedroom apartments than the average one-bedroom rent paid by other Des Moines residents. Strong rental demand between August and May when Drake University is in session causes most of the rental cost disparity. On the other hand, landlords lower one-bedroom rental prices during the summer to lure short-term renters into the neighborhood. The median rent for a one-bedroom Drake neighborhood apartment runs about $715 per month.

Neighborhood bar owners keep domestic draft prices at or under $2.50 to attract students who live on limited budgets. Gas prices in the Drake neighborhood fall 12 percent below the national average. Residents pay $1.75 for a two-hour bus fare that includes one transfer. However, residents who depend on DART for transportation most of the time should consider purchasing a monthly pass for $48.

Although the Drake neighborhood offers several types of restaurants and bars, shopping remains limited mostly to shops located on campus. In addition to Valley West Mall, Drake neighborhood residents can find virtually anything they need at Jordan Creek Mall in West Des Moines.

The central business district east of the university does not include boutique or specialty stores. Drake neighborhood residents have to travel to the East Village neighborhood to find the best boutiques in the Des Moines area. Located across the Des Moines River in downtown Des Moines, Mainstream Boutique sells women's fashion accessories inside a renovated historic building.

Capitalizing on its close proximity to central Iowa farms, the Des Moines Farmers Market does a brisk business between May and October. Drake neighborhood residents shop for groceries at nearby CashSaver located in the adjoining Beaverdale neighborhood.