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Cost-of-Living:  Below the National Average

 

Iowa Retirement Communities

 

Grand and Lakeview
2368 Des Moines Street

Des Moines, Iowa  50307

Two Cozy Iowa Manufactured Home Communities with a Bucolic Setting are Clean, Well Managed and Appealingly Affordable in Rough Economic Times

 
Lakeview Homes and Grand Homes are two privately owned Des Moines, Iowa manufactured home communities within close proximity of each other.  Established in 1957 and owned by the same family for 35 years, these two 55+ developments are very affordable, well-kept and on spacious grounds, and in today's economic climate, they are particularly appealing.  Each is small, one with 42 homes (Lakeview) and one with 30 homes (Grand), and neither has the ambiance of a cookie cutter community.   Instead, each has a leisurely, neighborly feeling, and the landscaping is well-groomed with lots of open space.  Simple living in America's heartland is what brings retirees to Lakeview and Grand.

 

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Homes for sale are pre-owned, and current prices range from $13,900 to $29,900.  Many of the residences come with upgrades that include oak cabinetry, hardwood floors and window coverings.  There are one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom homes, and typically these residences come from the better manufactured home builders.   There is no HOA fee, but lot fees (approximately $300 per month) take care of community maintenance (mowing, etc.).  Homeowner's are responsible for their own home's maintenance.   Rental units are also available, and prices typically run from $565 per month to $695 per month.  This price includes the lot fee, as well as water, sewer and garbage pickup.    For more information, call (515) 277-6600 or visit www.grandlakeview.com.  

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There are not a lot of bells and whistles here, but the on-site management, which owns the properties, is hands-on and responsive.   All roads are paved, and pets less than 20 lbs are allowed with a pet deposit.    Neither community has a large clubhouse or a recreation facility, but Lakeview is not far from the Mitchellville Community Center, and transportation is provided to and from it.   Lakeview also has some small lakes (fishing is a favorite activity), and many homes have water views.  People who live in Grand may fish at Lakeview, as well.   Grand Homes is leafy and well-kept, too, but it really only offers clean, affordable homes in a nice community.   Which is not a bad thing.   It does, though, have RV storage.  Both Lakeview and Grand Homes are easily accessible via Interstate 80.  Financing is available.

Des Moines (population 200,000) is a fairly typical mid-western city.  It's low key but has a good selection of restaurants, shopping and other amenities.  The overall cost of living is nearly 20% below the national average.  The weather can be a challenge sometimes, though.   All of Iowa is prone to tornados, and summers are hot and muggy.  Winters bring temperatures in the teens and 20s, and snow reaches up to nine inches per month from December to March.    The comfort index (humidity combined with temperature) meets the national average.  The sun shines 205 days of the year.

 

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