Moving/Relocating To Iowa City: 5 Closely Guarded Facts

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You might be wondering, “Why is everyone moving to Iowa City?”

Iowa City is a great place to live in because of its creative and collaborative community. There is something for everyone, with so much to see and do. And with its growing economy, it naturally attracts people!

But it’s not just jobs that draw the attention of people. The city also packs many cultural and recreational opportunities. It has many opportunities for entertainment, including multiple art galleries, museums, and professional sports teams and concerts.

If you’re moving from an urban or suburban location to Iowa City, get ready for an adventure. But do not fret! We are here to provide you with useful information to make smart decisions on moving to Iowa City!

What You’ll Actually Want To Know Before Moving To Iowa City

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Iowa City is a charming, small college town located in northeast Iowa with about 68,000 people. It’s divided into four main neighbourhoods: Downtown Iowa City, North Liberty, South Amana and Coralville-based suburbs. There are many parks and trails for exploring in every direction.

The Iowa River, which runs through the city’s centre, is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It flows through central and eastern Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque, Davenport, Bettendorf, Muscatine, Clinton, Keokuk, Oskaloosa, Decorah, Waukon, and McGregor.

There Is An Ideal Neighborhood For Everyone Living In Iowa City

The best neighbourhood in town is actually a little bit of both worlds – urban and rural. The locals living within the Iowa City area have divided the city itself into the east and west sides, with the river running in between.

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On the west side, we have Manville Heights neighbourhood (almost the city’s most architecturally diverse neighbourhood) and is close to downtown the University of Iowa, also known as one of the nation’s top public research universities, University Heights (located near to the campus), Iowa hospitals and clinics, which makes it an ideal place to live.

Heading over to the east side, you’ll find housing with various architectural styles, including ranches, traditional two-stories and split foyers. These neighbourhoods are also within walk distance of public schools.

The Affordable Cost Of Living In Iowa City

Considering your finances is a major factor in the decision to move or relocate. But you will be surprised to find out the average cost of expenses is much lesser in this great city than in the cities in other parts of the nation.

For housing costs, the rental cost starts from $429 and goes up to $2,500 (according to apartment finder) for a 2 beds apartment. For condos with 2 beds and 1 bath, the cost is about $89,900 onwards (according to Zillow).

The Iowa City cost of living index (cost of necessities) is 94.6%. It is 5.4% less than the national average living index. Housing costs are 3.2% less, and the average utility cost is 6.1% less than the national average.

While those are not a large gap difference, compared to other major cities around the country, such as Atlanta (14% less) and Denver (36% less), the average cost of living is definitely much lesser.

It Is So Convenient To Commute Around Iowa City

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The city has an excellent public transportation system, including buses and light rail lines that connect with other cities throughout the state. There are also many car-sharing services available for anyone who does not have their own vehicle.

Iowa City Transit (ICT) provides bus service within the city limits and between ICT’s three hubs at the university campus, downtown, and East Village.

For transportation to other areas, there is 380 Express (Weekday bus service between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City) and Coralville Transit System (for transportation to/from Coralville).

The Wide Variety Of Jobs Opportunities Iowa City Has To Offer

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There are many job opportunities for those moving to Iowa City from various industries such as insurance and finance, healthcare, medical technology, engineering, educational services, and food processing.

Some local insurance and finance employers you may seek out for opportunities are Geico, MediRevv and Transamerica.

The University of Iowa also provides job opportunities, is a huge economic driver, and is the largest employer in the city, employing more than 27,000 people from various backgrounds!

It is certainly not surprising that many young professionals are flocking over to Iowa City.

Iowa City Definitely Does Not Compromise On Food Choices

The city may have many farmlands and farmers, but that does not mean you have to bust your butts out on the fields to make sure you have food to eat!

The city offers an incredible variety of restaurants and bars and has many fancy places to have a good breakfast.

Sure, the food might be incredible in Iowa City, but imagine yourself enjoying the gorgeous alleys and fresh air at the same time as well.

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Okay, let’s get on with some of the more common food choices in the city, shall we?

Pullman Diner serves diner-inspired food (sandwiches, tacos and more), craft cocktails, and every Friday evening, they have a ramen night, where beer and ramen are served together!

Or if you would prefer something traditional, you have to try Bluebird Diner. It is definitely not something to be missed, they have a vast menu and are famous for their creative takes on favourites. Try their Huevos Epstienos and get your taste buds tingling on their famous smoked pork green chilli!

Suppose it’s a beer that you want, no worries! We got you covered. Big Grove Brewery (Iowa City Taproom) is a brewery, restaurant and the best part? It’s an entertainment venue as well. Drop by for their award-winning tap beers, burgers and pizzas and indulge yourself in live music.

Wind Down For Some Fun And Recreational Activities

Want to watch a live performance or fancy some art exhibits? Iowa City’s Englert Theater is also home to several world-class performances and exhibitions.

Whether your interest is in music, fashion or fine art, there is definitely a festival for you in the city. Pick any weekend at any time of the year in any city, and chances are there will be a festival.

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If you are interested in nature itself, the Museum of Natural History also offers free entry. It takes you back to 500 million years of Iowa’s history, from the plants to the living inhabitants of nature.

Conclusion About Moving To Iowa City

And that concludes our list of the top 5 things you should know about moving to Iowa City. It’s not an exhaustive list, but it will give you some good information and help you make your decision easier when deciding whether or not to move here!

If you have any questions on how and what you should do to relocate, Sanelo is here to help. Contact us right away, and we will get back to you in a jiffy!

Thinking of reading up on other cities in the area? No worries! You can check out our guides to moving to Chicago, moving to Milwaukee, and moving to Kansas City.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving To Iowa City

What Is Iowa City Known For?

The University of Iowa. One of the nation’s top public research universities, whose primary focus is arts, sciences and humanities, is well known. The Iowa Writer’s Workshop is a prestigious 2-year Master of Fine Arts residency program offered by the university.

Is Iowa City A Good Place To Live In?

According to Liveability, Iowa City, IA is actually one of the top 100 best places to live in 2020.

It is a great place to kickstart any form of business or entrepreneurial venture you might have. The city and university also make investments in Iowa companies.

There are also plenty of entertainment options to choose from.

Is Iowa City Worth Moving To?

Yes! Definitely a big yes for the majority. There are plenty of opportunities for jobs and educational growth. And certainly, a better option, with the lower cost of living compared to major cities in the nation.

How Can Sanelo Help With Moving To Iowa City?

We understand that moving and relocating may not always be enjoyable, and the paperwork and planning can be quite tiring.

We want to provide you with peace of mind while not compromising on the quality we set out to achieve. Here are some of our resources you may refer to for a quote to get things started on the moving process:

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