Ames is in Story County and is one of the best places to live in Iowa. Living in Ames offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes.
In Ames, there are a lot of bars, coffee shops, and parks. It has modern retail stores like Wal-Mart and Target. Ames has a large music community, showcased through the downtown music walk, local bands and symphonies, and multiple large music venues. Ames, Iowa experiences four weather seasons and has activities to enjoy year-round. Iowa State University offers a variety of activities to enjoy in Ames, often available to the public, including performing arts, sporting events, conferences or lectures, and much more! The City of Ames also has local attractions such as an ice arena, swimming pools, parks and playgrounds, walking and bike trails, and golf courses. As a growing metropolitan area, the city of Des Moines is only about thirty minutes away.
Ames is a college-town and a tight-knit community with Iowa State University at the heart. With public transportation, the town is easily accessible and the only days with heavy traffic are game days. There are many rental companies in the area and there are also apartments available on-campus. The Department of Residence offers on-campus apartments as well as other housing options. Ames is an affordable community and the cost of living is low.