Overview
Huxley is a small city located in Story County, Iowa, which is known for its small town culture and potential for economic growth. Huxley is a great place to retire for active adults seeking a quaint, low-maintenance community with easy access to airports and large metropolitan cities such as Iowa City or Des Moines.
Climate and Geography
Summers in Huxley can reach temperatures in the mid 80s while winters are cold with temperatures falling below 20 degrees. The terrain consists of rolling hills.
Located in Story County, the city sits near Ames Municipal Airport and Des Moines International Airport. It is also near many major highways, including Interstate 35, Interstate 35 Business Loop, U.S. Route 30, U.S. 65, U.S. 69, Iowa Highway 210, Iowa 330, and Iowa 930.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Popular amenities in Huxley include the Cellar at White Oak, Ballard Golf and Country Club, Nite Hawk Bar and Grill, Earl Grimm Park, Nelson Park, and Slater Senior Center, to name a few.
Huxley prides itself on being “the heart of the prairie” and having small town values with opportunity for economic growth. For more shopping and dining, as well as museums and theaters, retirees can drive 20 minutes north to Ames or 30 minutes south to Des Moines.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The cost of living in Huxley is higher than the state with housing, health care, and utilities being the driving factors. However, the cost of living is about the same as the national average. While health care, housing, and utility costs are higher than the national average, groceries and transportation costs are lower.
Income taxes range between 0.36 percent to 8.98 percent. Retirement income such as Social Security, military pensions, and Railroad Retirement benefits are either not taxed or fully exempt. All other forms of retirement income are taxed, but taxpayers over the age of 55 can also exclude up to $6,000 per filer. Furthermore, homeowners over the age of 65 can take advantage of property tax credit programs that grant credits of up to $1,000, dependent on household income.
Health Care
The Des Moines metro area ranks in the top 30 communities on Gallup’s Well-Being Index.
Hospitals rated high performing by U.S. News in the surrounding area include Mary Greeley Medical Center, UnityPoint Health-Iowa Lutheran Hospital, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, and UnityPoint Health-Iowa Methodist Medical Center.
Other hospitals in the surrounding area include Story County Medical Center, Boone County Hospital, Veterans Affairs Central Iowa Health Care System-Des Moines, Broadlawns Medical Center, and Select Specialty Hospital-Des Moines.