Old Main Apartments 1217 24th Street, Des Moines, IA 50311

"The halls all reek of weed; the washer/dryers are insanely overpriced for what the terrible job they do. If you're a student, look into student housing through Drake, way better and more affordable options."

"I have lived at Old Main Apartments for all but two years since I moved back to Des Moines in 2005. I've had wonderful relationships with property managers who've done extra to help me when I was struggling with a physical issue or a financial one. I enjoy the pool and have gotten to know a handful of my neighbors. The students are fun and energizing. These are some of the only market-rate apartments I can afford in the city. The location next to Drake is very nice as well. This is a neighborhood on the rise."

"I lived here for two years and all I have to say is that this is a GREAT place to live. The management is really helpful and maintenance workers always do their best when something breaks and a fix is necessary. Very affordable and with a gated parking lot - and, at least, two decently sized places to lock your bike if you don’t feel like carrying it to your apartment. There both students and families living in this complex. Also, it has a pool."

"I've lived in both the Drake Court and Drake Pointe apartments over the last two years and feel like I was constantly frustrated with the management. Between May 2017-2019, the property went through 4 different landlords and never told its tenants so I would send emails to the last landlord I worked with and either never hear back or have to go over past problems again and again with the new management. Not to mention, there was rarely anyone in the office making picking up packages or dropping off paperwork an all week endeavor of trying to find the right timing. The buildings themselves are kind of a pain. They are not ADA accessible which means no elevator for moving/carry heavy objects or if you have visitors with disabilities. The buzzer system doesn't work so you do have to physically go let people in. Mail/package delivery personnel only sometimes have a key to get into the building so I had packages sent to the main office (what was supposed to happen) as well as sent back to the post office, sent to a random drop location inside of a dry cleaners, or left in the wrong location and stolen. Also, the air conditioning/heat is LOUD and highly ineffective. We invested in both personal fans and a space heater"

"This complex is in the middle of worst part of Des Moines. It has gated parking, otherwise, funding a parking spot is a nightmare. The outlay makes it a burden to move in or out of nearly half the apartments. If you are attending Drake, probably a decent choice; anyone else, I would be hesitant."