Where homes are affordable

Read any good books lately? Residents of this Iowa city probably have. West Des Moines' new library features more than 164,000 tomes in a 51,000-square-foot, $7 million facility. Residents can kick back at 20 public parks and an all-ages public community center.

Those looking for retail therapy can head to Valley Junction, a Main Street shopping community that combines historic buildings with current retail shops. The city's residential options range from luxury, gated communities to more modest starter homes. --B.B.

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