Norwalk is a tidy, growing Des Moines suburb (population ~12,800 at the 2020 census) with parks, trails and three local golf courses—comfortable, safe and compact for multi‑week stays.
It’s only about a 10–12 mile drive to Des Moines, so you get easy weekend access to big‑city restaurants, arts, nightlife and a major airport while living in a quieter residential base. For extra variety, Ames (home to Iowa State University) is roughly 45–50 miles away for more university events and small‑city amenities, so you won’t feel trapped on longer assignments.