Overview
Drake West Village is a student-oriented apartment community located at Des Moines, IA 50311, USA. It offers studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and four-bedroom units with monthly rents ranging from $599 to $1,010 (indicative — confirm with the operator). The property is situated near a local university campus, making it a popular choice for students seeking off‑campus housing within walking distance. The building features a gym and laundry facilities (though not in‑unit, as noted in reviews), and utilities are included in the rent.
At the time of data collection, Drake West Village was the only student‑focused rental property listed in Des Moines on this platform. The city’s starting price for student accommodation is $599 per month, which is exactly the base rate of this property, meaning it offers entry‑level pricing alongside larger, more expensive layouts.
Who This Residence Suits
Drake West Village works best for students who value proximity to campus, a supportive management team, and an inclusive environment. According to the property’s Google rating (4 stars from 92 reviews), residents consistently highlight the convenience of being close to university buildings, the responsiveness of staff, and the clean, well‑equipped apartments.
The apartment complex is particularly suitable for:
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International students – One reviewer, D E.M., wrote: “Living at Drake West Village has been such a great experience! As an international student, moving from outside Iowa came with its challenges, but this place made settling in so much easier.” The inclusive atmosphere and utility packages can reduce the administrative burden for newcomers.
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Students who prefer an all‑inclusive rent – Bills are included in the monthly price, which simplifies budgeting. You don’t need to set up separate electricity, water, or gas accounts.
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Those who want a gym on‑site – The property tag lists a gym, so you can work out without leaving the building.
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Groups of 3–4 people – Four‑bedroom units are available. One reviewer, Kayla Ferris, noted that finding a four‑bedroom house with two bathrooms was “impossible” elsewhere, but that Drake West Village offered exactly that configuration.
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Residents who value safety – Thomas Charles, in his 4‑star review, stated: “I felt very safe here and being so close to campus was incredible.”
Who Might Not Suit It
The property isn’t for everyone. Here are the main drawbacks mentioned by residents and implied by the data:
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Those who want in‑unit laundry – The property has laundry facilities on the premises, but not inside each apartment. Thomas Charles explicitly deducted points for “not having in unit laundry.”
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Students seeking a cheap private studio or one‑bedroom – While the base price of $599 is very competitive, that rate likely applies to a room in a shared apartment (e.g., a bedroom in a 4‑bedroom unit). If you want a studio or 1‑bedroom, expect to pay closer to the $1,010 maximum. The exact price by unit type is not provided, but the range suggests studios and one‑bedrooms are at the higher end.
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People who dislike shared bathrooms – In a four‑bedroom apartment with two bathrooms, you’ll be sharing with at least two other people. Even in a two‑bedroom, bathroom sharing is likely.
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Those who prefer living in a larger city – Des Moines is a mid‑sized city. If you want a bustling metropolitan environment with a wide choice of housing, this may feel limited.
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Students who need a short‑term lease – The minimum lease length is not given in the data; you should confirm with the operator if you need a semester‑only or month‑by‑month arrangement.
What Residents Actually Say
We have three verbatim Google reviews (edited only for length where necessary; original spelling and punctuation preserved).
D E.M. (5 stars)
“Living at Drake West Village has been such a great experience! As an international student, moving from outside Iowa came with its challenges, but this place made settling in so much easier. The apartments are well‑equipped and comfortable, making the transition smooth and stress‑free. Management is very responsive and”
The review cuts off there, but the praise for the management and ease of transition is clear.
Thomas Charles (4 stars)
“Very solid on campus housing option for Drake Students. I felt very safe here and being so close to campus was incredible. Prices were also reasonable and the apartments themselves were very clean and good sized. Only docking points for not having in unit laundry.”
This resident appreciates the safety, location, cleanliness, and pricing, but notes the lack of in‑unit laundry.
Kayla Ferris (4 stars)
“I’ve been a resident at Drake West Village for the past year and I really can’t say enough good things about it! The office and maintenance staff are always super friends, efficient, and willing to help out. I live with three other girls and trying to find a four bedroom house with two bathrooms was impossible, but Wes”
Again cut off, but it confirms that the four‑bedroom two‑bathroom layout was a key draw for groups.
Common themes across reviews: responsive management, safe environment, good size and cleanliness, convenient location, and the challenge of finding suitable shared housing elsewhere.
Price Positioning & Room Types
The monthly rent range is $599–$1,010 (indicative — confirm with the operator). The city’s from‑price for student housing is $599, so Drake West Village offers the cheapest option in Des Moines (at least for the smallest room in a shared unit). The $1,010 ceiling suggests that larger or more private units cost about 70% more than the base rate.
Available unit types:
- Studio
- 1‑bedroom
- 2‑bedroom
- 4‑bedroom
The deposit is $150 (indicative — confirm with the operator), which is relatively low compared to many off‑campus rentals that ask for one month’s rent.
Because no per‑type price breakdown is provided, you should contact the property directly to get current pricing for each floor plan. As a rough guide, the $599 rate likely applies to a bedroom in a 4‑bedroom unit, while studios and 1‑bedrooms may fall in the $800–$1,010 range.
The utilities‑included structure is a significant advantage. In Des Moines winters, heating costs can add $100–$200 per month to an unfurnished apartment; having them included makes budgeting predictable.
Booking Timing
Booking windows for student housing in Des Moines typically follow the academic calendar. For the 2026–2027 academic year, you should start looking in late 2025 or early 2026. However, since Drake West Village appears to be the only platform‑listed student property in Des Moines, competition may be less intense than in larger college towns. Still, early booking is wise to secure your preferred room type, especially for 4‑bedroom units that may have limited availability.
Given that the property has 92 Google reviews with a 4‑star average, it is a well‑established complex. You can expect some units to be available even a few months before the semester starts, but the best price and layout selection will likely be found by March or April 2026 for a fall 2026 move‑in.
If you are an international student, start the process 6–8 months in advance to allow time for lease review, payment arrangements, and travel planning.
FAQ
Is Drake West Village only for Drake University students?
The property is located near a university campus and the name includes “Drake,” but it is open to any student or tenant who meets the rental criteria. You do not need to be enrolled at a specific institution to live here. However, the reviews indicate most residents are students from the nearby university.
Are pets allowed?
The data does not include pet policy information. You will need to verify directly with the operator. Many student apartment complexes allow cats or small dogs for an additional fee, but this is not confirmed here.
What is included in “bills included”?
Bills included typically covers water, electricity, gas, and sometimes internet or cable. The data tag “bills_included” suggests that utilities are part of the monthly rent. Exact inclusions (e.g., trash, sewer, heating) should be confirmed in the lease. Also note that the deposit is separate and refundable upon move‑out, subject to deductions for damages.
Sources & data date
All pricing, reviews, and property details are from the platform data snapshot of July 2026. Prices are indicative — confirm with the operator. Reviews are verbatim from Google, accessed at the same date.
For real‑time availability, exact floor plan pricing, and current lease terms, please use the on‑site assistant available on this page.
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