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5+ Days Ago
Location
5616 Hickman Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310, USA|Merle Hay
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Property Overview
Nelson 8 Plex is a highly rated rental option, earning an overall Zumper Expert Rating of 8/10 with especially strong scores for price (9/10) and location (9/10), reflecting excellent value and convenience. Residents can expect a premier standard of living supported by strong amenities (8/10) and a transparent property description (7/10 for trustworthiness), plus the added benefit of a top-rated elementary school less than a quarter mile away.
This summary uses Zumper’s proprietary data. “Zumper Expert Ratings” and “Things you’ll love” are based on our internal analyses of market trends and renter insights.
Things you’ll love
Elementary school nearby
Floor plans
| 2BR/1.0BA | 2 bed | 1 bath | 750 sqft | Welcome home to this beautifully remodeled 2-bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment located on Hickman Rd in the sought-after Merle Hay neighborhood. This spacious unit features a bright open layout with abundant natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The open-concept kitchen flows seamlessly into the living room, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Enjoy the convenience of a dishwasher, a generously sized bathroom, and plenty of storage space throughout both the kitchen and bathroom. Off-street parking is available in the lot behind the property. Situated in a prime location near shopping, dining, and daily conveniences, this apartment offers the perfect blend of comfort and accessibility. Contact us today to schedule a showing! |
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Policies and fees
Applicants
Applicants
One-time.
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REQUIRED FEES
Security Deposit
One-time. Refundable.
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Building details
Property details
| Units | 5 |
|---|
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About Nelson 8 Plex
Welcome home to this beautifully remodeled 2-bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment located on Hickman Rd in the sought-after Merle Hay neighborhood. This spacious unit features a bright open layout with abundant natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The open-concept kitchen flows seamlessly into the living room, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Enjoy the convenience of a dishwasher, a generously sized bathroom, and plenty of storage space throughout both the kitchen and bathroom. Off-street parking is available in the lot behind the property. Situated in a prime location near shopping, dining, and daily conveniences, this apartment offers the perfect blend of comfort and accessibility. Contact us today to schedule a showing!
Zumper Expert Rating
Our expert rating is based on a weighted average score of property attributes that renters care about most: price, amenities, location, quality, and trust.
8.0
/10
Very GoodWith a solid 8 out of 10 overall, Nelson 8 Plex is a great option for renters. While some aspects, like Quality, might not be as distinguished as other properties nearby, Nelson 8 Plex has a number of attractive features—namely its Price— so you can be assured your rent will come with a high standard of living.
Price·9A score that weighs the cost and location of the property, which we calculate by comparing rent prices of recent units to the median price of nearby rentals, adjusting for overall quality and features.
Nelson 8 Plex stands out with a remarkable rating of 9/10 for its cost per bedroom compared to other rentals in the area. Considering the excellent balance between price, convenience, and comfort that it provides, residents enjoy a high-quality living experience.
Amenities·8A score based on the amenities offered at this property compared to other rentals in the area. We consider the quantity, quality, and popularity of features both on site and within the units.
With multiple in-demand amenities, Nelson 8 Plex is committed to enhancing the renting experience. And while it may have fewer total conveniences and features than similar rentals nearby, it remains a top choice for renters wanting an specific standard of living.
Location·9A score based on proximity and ease of access to shops, restaurants, schools, and public transportation while considering the desirability of the area.
Nelson 8 Plex is exceptional when it comes to location and conveniences. Communication with management or leasing staff is usually quick and easy and they often use advanced scheduling and communication tools to streamline the process. The location of this property offers easy access to popular points of interest in the area and options for getting around.
Quality·6A score based on what makes the property stand out, such as luxury features, unique offerings, age of the building, and our ability to verify the accuracy of these details.
While Nelson 8 Plex does not have many hallmark characteristics to highlight, it has some qualities and features that will resonate with a broad range of renters.
Trustworthiness·7A score based on the accuracy, completeness, recency, and usefulness of the information provided by this property, so you can trust that what you see is what you get.
Nelson 8 Plex provides some information about the features available in the community and its apartments, making it a reliable option for prospective renters. Renters should ask additional questions about amenities and non-negotiable items they are looking for.
Property highlights
We compared every listing in the surrounding area to determine which amenities are most common. If a building lacks an amenity that most others in the area have, it is a con. If a building has an amenity most others in the area do not, it is a pro. Similarly, price, schools, and size are calculated relative to the size, price, and distance to schools of the other properties nearby.How Nelson 8 Plex compares to other nearby properties.
Positives
- Elementary school nearby
- There is an elementary school 0.1 mile away
Considerations
- Greater distance from high schools
- The nearest high school is farther than 2 miles away
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Available rentals nearby
Rent trends in Merle Hay
Median rents as of Apr 25 2026.
Merle Hay
Des Moines
| Month | Median Rent |
|---|---|
| May 2024 | $996 |
| June 2024 | $1,007 |
| July 2024 | $998 |
| August 2024 | $998 |
| September 2024 | $997 |
| October 2024 | $964 |
| November 2024 | $963 |
| December 2024 | $1,007 |
| January 2025 | $1,018 |
| February 2025 | $983 |
| March 2025 | $949 |
| April 2025 | $895 |
| May 2025 | $915 |
| June 2025 | $918 |
| July 2025 | $876 |
| August 2025 | $870 |
| September 2025 | $870 |
| October 2025 | $855 |
| November 2025 | $848 |
| December 2025 | $865 |
| January 2026 | $870 |
| February 2026 | $870 |
| March 2026 | $870 |
| April 2026 | $871 |
| Month | Median Rent |
|---|---|
| May 2024 | $775 |
| June 2024 | $775 |
| October 2024 | $825 |
| November 2024 | $827 |
| December 2024 | $879 |
| February 2025 | $850 |
| March 2025 | $861 |
| April 2025 | $891 |
| May 2025 | $900 |
| June 2025 | $1,635 |
| July 2025 | $965 |
| October 2025 | $841 |
| November 2025 | $865 |
| December 2025 | $807 |
| February 2026 | $775 |
| March 2026 | $800 |
| April 2026 | $787 |
Schools near Nelson 8 Plex
Hillis Elementary School
2401 56th st
des moines, IA, 50310
K-5Public
C
Mitchell Early Childhood Center
111 porter
des moines, IA, 50310
PKPublic
Olmsted Elementary School
7110 prairie ave
urbandale, IA, 50322
PK, K-5Public
B-
Woodlawn Early Childhood Center
4000 lower beaver rd
des moines, IA, 50310
PKPublic
Ruby Van Meter
710 28th st
des moines, IA, 50312
K-12Public
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Internet available near Nelson 8 Plex
Neighborhood
Merle Hay | Des Moines, IA
Getting around Des Moines near 5616 Hickman Rd
Walking
5/10
Some shops and stores are within a few minutes.
Driving
8/10
Commuting is easy with multiple accessible routes and plenty of parking.
Cycling
5/10
More spots are within biking distance and some roads are cyclist-friendly.
Transit
3/10
There are a few mass transit options within the area.
Points of interest for 5616 Hickman Rd, Des Moines
Groceries
7/10
At least one supermarket within a 15-minute walk
Shopping
5/10
Several shops within walking distance
Cafes
6/10
Some cafés within a few minutes’ walk
Restaurants
5/10
Some restaurants within a few minutes’ walk
Primary schools
9/10
At least one elementary school within a 5-minute walk
High schools
0/10
Closest high school further than a 30-minute walk
Parks
5/10
Moderate amount of park space nearby
Nightlife
3/10
Some bars within walking distance
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