Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® · Iowa License #S73007000 · Brokered by Fathom Realty
Most of the people landing on this page are 45–62, reading on behalf of a parent. There are 30+ age-restricted communities across the Des Moines metro: co-ops, villas, lock-and-leave townhomes, life-plan continuums. This page gives you the metro overview and the area-by-area starting points. Two things stay clear throughout: the community handles their own waitlist and tour booking, and I handle selling the existing home so the equity is ready when the unit is.
The community books the apartment. I sell the house that funds it.
List, prep, and sell the existing home on the timeline that lines up with the community's deposit, waitlist, and move-in date.
Run a CPCU®-grade insurance gap review on the listing — vacancy exclusion at day 30 or 60, water-backup, service-line — so a vacated home doesn't lose coverage during the sale.
Keep adult children on a single brief, weekly, in writing. No repeating the same context to multiple people.
Tours, waitlist, deposit, lease or purchase contract, floor plan selection, dining and amenities walkthroughs, move-in scheduling.
Each community has its own sales team. Book directly with them — going through a realtor on the community side adds a step without adding value.
For named communities I've covered in depth, see Connect55+ Ankeny, Wesley on Grand, and Grand Living at Tower Place.
A 55+ community is an age-restricted neighborhood designed for active, independent adults. These aren't nursing homes or assisted living facilities—they're regular homes (townhomes, villas, condos, or co-ops) in neighborhoods where at least one resident in each home must be 55 or older.
The appeal? Less maintenance, neighbors in a similar life stage, and amenities designed for how you actually want to live now—not how you lived when you were raising kids.
Not sure if 55+ independent living is the right fit, or wondering how it compares to assisted living or continuing care communities? My Senior Housing Options overview breaks down all the levels so you can make an informed choice.
Quality housing, practical amenities, and a lifestyle that makes sense
Central Iowa offers something that's getting harder to find: quality 55+ housing at prices that don't require draining your retirement savings. The Des Moines metro has seen steady growth in active adult communities over the past decade, giving you real options—not just one or two developments to choose from.
Beyond affordability, you get practical access to healthcare, shopping, grandkids, and the kind of low-key Midwestern lifestyle that doesn't demand constant activity but always offers it when you want it.
MercyOne, UnityPoint, and the Iowa Clinic provide comprehensive care across the metro.
Jordan Creek, Prairie Trail, and downtown West Des Moines offer shopping and dining without traffic.
Many 55+ communities include lawn care, snow removal, and exterior maintenance in HOA fees.
The metro's connected trail system makes staying active easy and scenic year-round.
Your housing dollar goes further here, leaving more for travel, hobbies, and family.
Yes, there's winter—but communities handle the snow so you don't have to.
When you're ready to tour, I can pull neighborhood- and ZIP-specific market data so you know exactly what you're looking at in terms of pricing, HOA costs, and resale trends.
Each community has its own personality and 55+ options
Urban convenience with established neighborhoods. Best for those who want to stay close to downtown amenities, cultural events, and medical facilities without suburban sprawl. Notable options include Wesley on Grand and Grand Living at Tower Place.
Learn more about 55+ living in Des MoinesThe most developed 55+ market in the metro. Excellent for buyers who want walkable shopping at Jordan Creek, top-tier medical access, and a wide range of community styles—from co-ops to luxury villas. Village Cooperative West Des Moines is one popular option worth exploring.
Learn more about 55+ living in West Des MoinesIowa's fastest-growing city with newer 55+ developments and the walkable Prairie Trail district. Great for active adults who want modern construction, trails, and easy access to both Des Moines and Ames.
Learn more about 55+ communities in AnkenyNewer construction and a family-friendly vibe. Best for grandparents who want to be near younger families, with easy access to West Des Moines amenities and top-rated schools for visiting grandkids.
Learn more about 55+ living in WaukeeQuiet, established, and centrally located. Ideal for those who want a low-key neighborhood feel with quick access to anywhere in the metro. Good mix of townhomes and villa-style options.
Learn more about 55+ living in UrbandaleSmall-town atmosphere with metro convenience. A solid choice if you value community events, local parks, and being close to Saylorville Lake for walking and wildlife.
Learn more about 55+ living in JohnstonEmerging market with newer construction and competitive pricing. Best for buyers who want more home for their money and don't mind a slightly longer drive to the western suburbs.
Learn more about 55+ living in GrimesThere's a lot to consider when evaluating 55+ communities: purchase price, monthly HOA fees, what's included (and what's not), location trade-offs, and timing the sale of your current home. It can feel overwhelming—but it doesn't have to be.
I've built tools specifically to help you cut through the noise and make clear, confident decisions.
A comprehensive overview of 55+ living options across the Des Moines metro—community types, what to expect, and how to evaluate your choices. Start here if you're still in research mode.
Read the 55+ Living GuideGet a personalized estimate of your moving timeline and costs based on your specific situation. Includes sale timing, moving expenses, and first-year budget projections.
Use the CalculatorYou can also browse current 55+ listings on smartmovedsm.com/search or contact Sarah for real-time alerts when new properties hit the market.
Sarah Ingles is the only realtor in the Des Moines metro holding both the SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) and CPCU® (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) credentials. That pairing exists because senior and estate listings always touch insurance — vacancy exclusions, water-backup, service-line — and a credentialed realtor catches what an uncredentialed one doesn't until the buyer's underwriter does.
If you're researching this for a parent, the most useful thing I can do is sequence the home sale around the community's calendar so the equity arrives the week the deposit is due — not the month after.
Book the community tour directly with their team. When you have a target unit, a deposit deadline, or even just a 6–18 month window, that's when I can do the most for the existing home — pricing, listing, and timing the close so the equity is liquid the week the community needs the deposit.
If you're an adult child working this for a parent, you're welcome on every call, every email, every showing. The more eyes on the timeline the cleaner the handoff.
Not ready to talk yet? Start with the Senior Move Calculator to get a clearer picture of your timeline and costs.
REALTOR® SRES® | Smart Move Des Moines
Brokered by Fathom Realty
🎓 SRES® Senior Specialist Contact SarahThe information about 55+ and age‑restricted communities on this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. Smart Move Des Moines and Sarah Ingles, REALTOR®, are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any of the communities, builders, associations, or management companies mentioned, and no paid partnerships, referral fee arrangements, or other compensation agreements exist with them. We do not represent any specific community or developer; in any transaction we would act as a separate real estate licensee representing our client, not the community. All community rules, fees, amenities, availability, and qualifications (including age restrictions) must be verified directly with the community, homeowners association, or management before buying, selling, or leasing a home. Nothing on this page constitutes legal, tax, or financial advice; please consult appropriate professionals for advice specific to your situation.