If you like windy, nasty winters.... - 2/22/2022

My biggest gripe is the winter weather and more specifically the wind. The wind does not stop blowing the entire winter. It starts around November when NW winds start blowing and goes on until like April or May. Not just "wind", but gale-force, non stop howling wind. You'll have 30, 40, 50, even 60 mph winter winds almost nonstop from Nov until May. That wind is relentless and just never lets up. Then in the summer the wind stops almost entirely. When you want some wind to help deal with the humidity, there won't be any. You can drop a feather and it will fall right to your feet. But come winter, that wind starts back up and won't stop. Winters are super cold to begin with in January, but then add a 40mph wind and the wind chill can be 40 below or more. If you like horrible, nasty, long, cold winters with lots of non-stop gale-force wind, then you'll love Iowa.

[Comment on this Posting]

Racist and cursed - 11/2/2021

Such a horrible place. The racism is too much. You cant even take a walk to the park without hearing a racial insult thrown at you. You cant even go to the store without encountering angry cold stares. You can barely enjoy your life in this underdeveloped poorly run and boring city. The roads are horrible, the city water services charges you an arm and a leg for water, storm drain, recycle, garbage, and more! You cant even negotiate (for example, take out the garbage, or the recycle to bring my bill down in the future). Such a disgusting place. I never felt safe there. Been living there for 30+ years. I became depressed. The public treated me as if I was an enemy to them, just for being a different skin color.

[Comment on this Posting]

Great place to live, average place to visit. :) - 4/27/2021

I grew up here, moved away, came back to raise my family and have been back since 1993. I love this city!!! There is SOOO much to do. There are 3-4 community theatre groups that do high calibre plays and musicals, some very "edgy". There are museums; African American Museum, National Czech and Slovak Museum, CR Art Museum and Grant Wood's Studio. There is a history center that gives walking tours of CR and I always learn so much about our clever founders and great people who came from here (Mamie Eisenhower pops into mind). There are fabulous restaurants at every end of the price range and there are up-and-coming food trucks and stalls at NewBo. The Cherry artist gallery space has a ceramics studio open to the public and artists open their doors for sales or displays at various times during the year. NewBo has cooking classes taught by Kirkwood Community College culinary program chefs and local chefs. There is music outdoors for free once a week somewhere downtown in nice weather, there is vibrant busy farmer's market that spans at least 8-9 blocks (I've never counted). There is Brucemore historical site that hosts outdoor Shakespeare and classic and children's plays, cabarets, orchestra and other events and gives tours. There is the Paramount which is home to Orchestra Iowa who does fabulous family-friendly indoor and outdoor symphony productions. The Paramount also hosts touring shows. There is the McGrath amphitheatre that brings live music concerts every weekend during summer (at cost, leans country and classic rock, but it's a beautiful venue). There are bike trails that go north (50 miles if you can do packed gravel, maybe 20 miles if you want paved) and south (hits Ely and Solon on paved trail--stop at brewery for a beer) and back (20-40 mile day) or further if you use roads. There is the Fishery, downtown, where you can kayak (bring your own) or fish from the shore (they stock it with fish) . There is walking trail around it that connects to nature trail. There are nature trails in SE/SW C.R. that span ...don't know...at least 22 miles?... There is Indian Creek Nature Center which hosts music events, educational programs for kids and adults, Maple Syrup Festival (they make it) and now a preschool. There is minor baseball and hockey if you're into that. There are great schools (my kid goes to what might be considered the closest we have to an inner city school and they graduated with 15 AP courses, 4-5 college courses, fabulous experiences in theatre, marching band, show choir, speech, debate, mock trial, LGBTQ+ groups. We win at state and higher levels in those. Sports have varied--sometimes state champs sometimes NOT. :) But it's a safe, diverse wonderful place. The sun is best in spring and fall, but I ride RAGBRAI across the state of Iowa in the worst of the humid time period and yes, it's humid, but it's not like the South, etc. It's bearable and somehow you just get used to it. And I love the crisp freshness that our winter brings. A few good snowfalls but lots of cold, dry days as well. It's not dreary, it's pretty cheerful given it's winter. We were known as Park City or Tree City because we have so many beautiful city parks and tree-lined boulevards. I confess that the Derecho Natural disaster hit us hard in August 2020 and it will take awhile for our trees to bounce back, but we are all about greenery and nature here. Great place to raise kids! Five colleges/universities within 30 miles and Rockwell Collins (new name now) means lots of educated people and jobs related to those. But there are also factories and blue collar workers. We have low unemployment rates so people must find jobs. Some of the local drivers are rude....can't argue with that...my mom said that when we moved here in 1969 from California. But overall the people are Iowa friendly, willing to give you directions or help you out. When Derecho hit neighbors came out to cut up fallen trees together and lend a hand. We did the same thing in the flood of 2008 and 2018. We have since put in flood barriers/walls and we hope that devastation is behind us. If you are willing to drive 20-30 minutes we have access to more things like Children's museum, Amanas, Kalona (menonite community) and more. There is ice cream/store and diary 7 miles away in Ely on bike trail that kids like. So, maybe 17-21 year-olds are bored but for the average middle income professional family I think it's a great place. I've lived in 4 states and am always proud to call C.R. home. Politically it's a good mix of liberal and conservative. Iowa City down the road is REALLY liberal so we probably seem conservative by contrast but it's pretty middle of the road. Mostly we're "practical" I'd say. :)

[Comment on this Posting]

Hehe, I'm in 6th grade. - 5/30/2019

I want the people who live here to be happy, 5 STARS!!!

[Comment on this Posting]

Avoid if possible - 5/24/2017

The streets here are TERRIBLE. Speed Scameras everywhere! People are rude! One way streets start and stop without warning all over downtown. nothing to do but drink and eat. Lots of rain, clouds, high humidity, gets very cold. Very few jobs and pay is very low. Rockwell collins runs the NE side of town so you are at their mercy. Town should have been flooded away back in 2008!!!

[Comment on this Posting]

About transportation - 7/13/2015

I would like to share about transportation here in Cedar Rapids IA. here the service of transportation it's very slow because you have to wait no less than one hour to find a bus. but the city like Milwaukee you have to wait only 15 to 30 min a Bus. That why here you have to do your best to have your own car to be able to reach quickly where you want to like at job, an appointment .

[Comment on this Posting]

Unfriendly folks - 5/18/2015

One thing I've noticed about the people in Cedar Rapids is most are unfriendly. People hear how wonderful and friendly Midwest folks are-well not here. If you wave at someone, there's only about a 20% chance the other person will wave back. Most of the time they'll just look at you. I ran into an employee outside at Walmart and I asked him how he liked the cold weather that particular May day. He said nothing and just looked forward. I thought "another friendly Iowan." Seems like most of the people have a chip on their shoulder. The vast majority of people don't use their turn signals. They are very inconsiderate drivers. Really they are just rude people here.

[Comment on this Posting]

Great Place to raise kids!! - 1/7/2015

Everyone always says what on earth is in Iowa?? Well, Cedar Rapids is in Iowa and it is a great place to raise a family. If you like 4 seasons and enjoy summer and winter sports it is a great place. Housing is affordable, food is a tad expensive but well under the national average. They have two awesome hospitals here and good doctors and the Univ of Iowa Medical Center is 20-25 minutes away. UofI, Iowa State, Mount Mercy University and several other reputable education institutions are local with plenty of opportunities. Come check it out!!!

[Comment on this Posting]

Don't move here if you are a minority - 4/18/2014

My spouse works for the Feds and we have travelled and lived all over the US. This is the only city I have been refused service at a coffee house. I am a minority, Asian. I have to deal with the incessant stares from locals who apparently have never seen an Asian before. At the Marion Hyvee, this guy literally turned his head around to watch me as I passed him as if I was an alien from outer space. At the MAC gym, I get stares from people. I work at a hospital, patients and their families looked shocked when I am going to provide medical treatment and I also get stares from the staff. The Asians in Cedar Rapids are either adopted and speak fluently or they are immigrants/refugees who have super thick accents. I speak English fluently and have a PhD. So many people here think I was adopted! The Good: The crime rate is low, the schools are okay, and the housing/rentals are decent. The Bad: passive/aggressive natives, bad drivers who think they have the right away when getting onto the freeway, lack of AP classes, "Iowa Nice" is superficial, lack of diversity, lack of culture, lack of any recreational activities, the weather is either super cold or super humid, and lack of jobs for Masters/PhD level professionals. The snow and ice last for 6 months. You either deal with it or you move. If you work in Iowa City and have to commute, it's a very dangerous commute in the winter and dangerous in the summer due to deer. Winter tires do not help when you are on ice! Even the natives go into the ditches. CR is the city of 5 stinks. It stinks in this city and I feel like I am being poisoned. Sometimes the water from the sink stinks of rotten eggs. We don't drink the water because we were told there is so much fertilizer run off from the farms, it is not safe to drink the water. There is alot of environmental poisoning from the farms. There is a current study of why so many of the farmers have leukemia. We went to an Asian restaurant and was not seated because I think they thought I was the help! We just waited and waited at the door and no one from the restaurant approached us. We are from the West Coast. If you tell the natives about the negatives, they get really offended "But there is Brucemore, you should go to Brucemore". That statement pretty much paints the picture of Cedar Rapids.

[Comment on this Posting]

Time to market - 1/3/2014

This is a fascinating area. There are very large employers that are international in scope with the associated forward thinking. The city tends to be bogged down in its ability to get things done - the amount of time to recover from the flood, the unwillingness of the population to support a small tax to address the future, the strange distrust between the city and its leaders, some of the persons voted into office. Very strange.

[Comment on this Posting]

Best Place to live - 12/9/2013

I've read some terrible reviews about this city and wanted to set it straight. I've lived here all my life and every time I think about relocating, the city always brings me back. Pros: low housing costs, lower gas prices, lower housing/car insurance, best schools in the country, nature trails. Cons: not the best concert scene, sometimes can be boring. We are not hillbillies or farm people, sure they exist here, but I never see them since we live in the city. Our city is expanding the culture scene, we already have an Art Museum, but we are gaining a couple of organic/natural food markets and expanding one of our malls. The best part about living in this city is that we are a 20 minute drive from Coralville/Iowa City which is a cultural hub at half the cost of living.

[Comment on this Posting]

Looking For A Change??? - 8/11/2012

I am hoping a few people in Cedar Rapids or Iowa City will read this and reply. I spent 25yrs in Milwaukee Wisconsin, I LOVE IT. The weather sucks but culture and life long friends made it the best! I have been in Dallas-Ft worth for 9yrs. Its OVER POPULATED, CRIME RIDDEN, LACK CULTURE. DFW is a huge bible belt city, but the people here are amoral and lack self control. Most people cheat on their spouses and only stay married for lifestyle, such as 2 incomes & appearances. The kids here lack principles & character. The economy is GREAT, so money isn't any issue here. But desire for money & extra money leads to crime, heavy drug use etc. This place is like any other large city: LA, NY, Miami, Chicago. I am about to become a parent and would like to slow things down a bit for my child's sake. I am also a professional black woman so in healthcare jobs aren't an issue. The problem I am seeing about Cedar Rapids is the lack of African Americans or Black Americans. Another man said 90% of black men date white women. I am not seeking a relationship but it does speak to the black community if we don't still together. Also, being very beautiful I don't like when the Hispanic women in Texas look at their husbands looking at me. I don't want to move to another city where there's a crazy racial divide. Speaking of Hispanic this place is Mexico North, everything is in Spanish and media says in 10 yrs whites and blacks will be the minority. Looking to return to the Midwest but need to hear more about the culture... of lack there off.

[Comment on this Posting]

Lowest Housing Interest Rates since the 1950's - t - 6/7/2012

When my Mom bought her house in Waterloo, IA in the late 1950's,she paid a rate similar to what you see now; 3.5%. That kind of rate means you can buy a house for less than you will pay in rent. The benefits are; you get to choose your own colors, you can remodel it if you want to, you can live in a neighborhood with lots of big trees, or a water park nearby, or what ever you personally choose. Think about it, you will be glad you did.

[Comment on this Posting]

EXPENSIVE - 1/16/2012

It doesnt matter where you live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, you do not get what you paid for. Houses that are falling apart that you cant even live in are over 100,000!

[Comment on this Posting]

Changed for the worse - 8/20/2011

We moved to east Iowa to Cedaar Rapids 4 years ago. It was nice then, little traffic, friendly people, employers who really did care. But today 2011, it has gone a 180. Meth is a huge problem around the colleges, people are driving fast and dangerous, road rage almost every day that I can see, some kids in schools are commiting suicide, principles arrested for filming boys in the bathrooms and porn, principle arrested for spaking kids on their Birthdays, teachers hitting students in my sons school, downtown has been torn apart for construction until 2013 and its hard to park anywhere. I could spend hours on why you don't want to move here. Maybe its because the population has grown over the last 2 years with out of staters for Rockwell Collins and other companies, even when locals need the jobs. I am a professional and I only know that I am looking into moving out of here ASAP.

[Comment on this Posting]

Not for everyone - 2/5/2010

Cedar Rapids is not "a great place to live" like many would have you believe. First off, the flood from 2008 has devastated the city. All we hear about on the news at night are stories about the flood or some business that was affected by the flood. The city is going to take many years just to get back to where it was before that flood even happened. The weather here sucks for most of the year. High temps are below freezing for about 4 months out of the year. It's also politically liberal as well. As a result, high property taxes are also another selling point. There's also lots of interracial dating here. In fact, 93% of all black men have white girlfriends in Cedar Rapids making it one of the highest proportions in the entire US. There are no activities to do except going to a bar. They do have a barbecue roundup in late June in which they charge you $10 just to walk through the gate and then $10 for a tiny plate of 3 ribs. In other words, a rip off. The sun shines about 130 days out of the year with overcast or total cloud cover for the remainder of the year. The summers are very humid as well. If you like living in super cold winters with lots of snow and then sweat like a pig for 3-4 months in the summer, Cedar Rapids would be a great choice. Otherwise, don't move here.

[Comment on this Posting]

City of 5 Seasons - 12/8/2009

I have lived in Cedar Rapids for six years and have gone through the school system. I definetley think the schools here are very structured and productive. The test scores of Cedar Rapids Schools compared to those in the nation are very high. When I think of Cedar Rapids, I cant think of anything particularly negative about this city. Housing prices are generally pretty low and it is the perfect size to find a desirable job, home, and interesting attractions, while still maintaining a comfortable, "at-home" feel. Everyone is very friendly and neatral. It is very family oriented and even though it doesnt have the high line of stores that some large cities may have, it is within easy traveling distace to places that do. The change of seasons is a problem for some people, but for most it is a refreshing change from one month to the next. Overall, I'd have to say this is a very good place to live and grow.

[Comment on this Posting]

QUality of Life in Cedar Rapids - 11/16/2009

I have lived in Iowa all of my life (60years). I was born and raised in Des Moines and moved here to Cedar Rapids in 1986 with my wife and two daughters after living in Guthrie Center, Iowa, Marshalltown, Iowa, and Sterling, Colorado....so I have lived in various sized towns and cities. Cedar Rapids is without a doubt the best of all the places we have lived. The oak woods are very pretty and there are lots of parks in the area. I like to trout fish and am within 2 hours of some very good trout streams up in Northeast Iowa. I enjoy the change in the seasons and do a lot of gardening as I enjoy being out of doors as much as I can. I am retired and a widower now and feel there are lots of things one can do for recreation in this area. There is the City Symphony Orchestra, local theater for plays, baseball and hockey teams to watch, and Iowa City and the Hawkeye's are only 30 minutes away. It's been a great place to raise a family. I worked here for 20 years and a commute to work took me 15 minutes. "RUsh Hour" is 15 minutes in duration. The streets need some work (potholes are plentiful) but traffic is well under control. Navigating took some time to get used to due to the diagonal nature of the street layouts here and the 4 quadrants (NE, SE, SW, NW). However, once you get that 4 quadrant concept in your brain then its easier to get around. Past problems with city odors have been pretty much taken care of once the meat packing plant shut down in the downtown area some years ago and the famous "MT Trashmore" (former county landfill) has been closed down and its odors have also pretty much disappeared from the city. So the air quality is much improved over past years. Water quality here is very good as far as I am concerned. No iron taste or algae taste in it. The city presoftens the water before it goes to homes so "hard water" is not a problem in Cedar Rapids. CIty services for water, sewer, trash and recycling are reasonably priced ($40.00/mo) and my electric and gas bills average $147.00/mo for my 2,200 sq ft home. Housing prices are very reasonable in most areas of the city (caution: stay out of the flood plain). I have no regrets. ITs been a good place to live and work and raise a family.

[Comment on this Posting]

Flood Last Year - 8/26/2009

The river running through town flooded last year to record levels. The flood had a major impact on many people, places, and things. We heard that it takes 10 years to recover from a flood like we had. Recovery is happening, but isolated parts of town are abandoned or semi-abandoned, walking/biking trails are still bad etc. Because of this I personally down graded the city - nobodies fault that it happened, but the flood changed things.

[Comment on this Posting]

Great Place to Live - 7/17/2009

From someone who has family scattered all over the country and has lived in the South, East, and Japan for a year, Cedar Rapids Iowa is as good a place as any. There are various nice things about the city. I consider it the perfect size, first of all. It's not so large that you've got to worry about sitting in traffic, but it's large enough that there's a lot of things to do and see. The weather could be better, but I don't mind it. The summers are generally mild, with this summer (2009) being extremely nice weather. As I write this, the forecast says it will be sunny and in the mid 70's this weekend. The summers can get pretty hot and humid sometimes, but it hasn't really happened this year. The winters aren't horrible, really. We usually don't get any snow until at least December, but most of it comes in January and February. In March, it starts to heat up again and we'll have a few days in the upper 30's and low 40's to melt off some of the snow. Our unemployment rate is historically low in comparison to the rest of the country, even during the longest lasting recession since WWII, our unemployment rate is at 6.2%, which is 5th best in the nation. There is not a lot of poverty here, because our earnings are pretty comparable to the United States average, but our cost of living is significantly cheaper. The crime here is not bad at all. Just like any city, there are a few hot spots for crime, but I would say that for 90% of the city, crime isn't a concern in the slightest, other than the simple small things that you see everywhere (kids tee-peeing peoples' yards, etc). In the summers, there's lots of entertainment in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding smaller towns. Lots of festivals, weekly concerts downtown for $5, farmers markets weekly around the city, movies, bars, etc. It's not the excitement you get in a larger city, but you can usually find something to entertain yourself with. In a 20-minute drive, there's a couple lakes for fishing and recreation. As far as education goes, there are lots of great high schools in town and the nearby state colleges are very highly regarded. So, from someone who has lived in other areas of the country, I like it here. Lots of people who have lived here their whole lives tend to complain that they want to go somewhere more exciting, with better weather, etc. But most of these people end up moving away and realizing how great of a place the midwest is at a later point in their lives.

[Comment on this Posting]