Situated at the eastern gateway to Greater Des Moines, Pleasant Hill welcomes residents with its scenic Four Mile Creek greenway and extensive trail system. Incorporated in 1956, this growing community of over 10,000 residents combines convenient metro access with its own small-town atmosphere. The city features well-maintained neighborhoods with a variety of rental options including townhomes, single-family homes, and boutique apartment communities.

Pleasant Hill's outdoor attractions include Copper Creek Lake Park, offering a 40-acre lake with fishing pier, and the Gay Lea Wilson Trail, which connects to Central Iowa's extensive trail network. The community sits at the intersection of U.S. Highway 65 and Iowa Highway 163, making for easy 15-minute commutes to downtown Des Moines and the Des Moines International Airport. The area is served by both Des Moines Public Schools and Southeast Polk Community School District, offering residents multiple educational options.

The rental market in Pleasant Hill offers good value compared to other Des Moines suburbs, with one-bedroom apartments averaging around $1,048 monthly. Neighborhoods like Copper Creek and Oakwood feature newer construction homes and townhomes for rent, while areas closer to Four Mile Creek provide more established rental properties with mature landscaping. Des Moines Area Regional Transit's Route 10 connects Pleasant Hill to the broader metro region, making it convenient to access downtown Des Moines while living in this peaceful community.