Unless you own a farm..... - 6/8/2009

The Midwest in general and specifically Cedar Rapids is not a place to live, unless you own a farm. Unless you own a farm, one city is a good as the next and due to the horrible weather here, this is no place to live. The winters are very similar to weather you would find in Russia with severe cold and lots of snow. We had -29F this past January for a couple of nights. The summers are very humid and you sweat just standing outside doing nothing. I can see if you own a farm and you HAVE to be here to make your living running it, but if you don't own a farm, you have no business living here. We are also now paying higher taxes for a major flood that destroyed the downtown area. The electric company Alliant Energy decided to jack up their rates another 18% just for good measure even though our rates were already 45% higher than the average city in the US. Oh, and they own a nuclear power plant about 8 miles away from CR in which they ship off all the energy to other states (at our expense). Anyway, this is no place to live if you don't have to be here. I guess if you like punishing yourself, then live here, but like I said, unless you own a farm, you don't belong here. One city is as good as the next and Cedar Rapids or any city in the Midwest should be avoided if you can. Stay away from the snow belt, rust belt, flood belt, cold belt, humid belt, tornado belt, etc.

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re: - 5/19/2009

Thanks for you great comments. They are very helpful.

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Iowa -- it's exactly as others say - 5/10/2009

I read all the reviews and what others say about Cedar Rapids is accurate (the good and the bad). Although I'm originally from the mid-west, before moving to Iowa four years ago, I lived on the West coast in Seattle and California for a total of 15 years, so I think I have a sophisticated view on quality of life measures. I moved to Iowa City originally for graduate school and only moved to Cedar Rapids recently as a less expensive place to live until I complete my independent research as I am done with coursework and do not need to be in Iowa City. I didn't plan to be here as long as I have but I have to say that I've clarified what is and what isn't important to me about where I live and work. From the perspective of a single, 30-year old and having no kids, I have to say that I find the area really lacking. And I'm not even much of a going-out type of person anymore. I'm getting my degree from the University of Iowa and would certainly recommend that university for a graduate degree (the teaching assistant benefits are phenomenal), but make sure you don't get too comfortable here with the lower-cost of living (more on that later). The state has a real problem with keeping its graduates in the state after they complete a college degree. In fact, there are state initiatives to reduce the "brain drain" problem. As a result, the area is really mostly families. For me, I will be leaving the area as soon as I procure a permanent position in my field in another state. Given the recession, that could be a couple of years, but the extreme weather (winter and summer), lack of professional singles, and religiosity here are my motivation. The economy here seems to be "ok" in comparison to many other parts of the country, but I do think salaries are lower here. One thing to keep in mind is if your field is not here, don't move here because I think there is A LOT of competition for jobs that require some college or a degree. I realize that contracts the "brain drain" comment but there is this dynamic that people who earn a graduate degree from the University of Iowa, in particular a Master's degree, don't want to leave the area. Food...I'm not a fan of the food here either. One person said that the produce is substandard and they are right. Even in the spring and summer it is difficult to find decent produce. Traffic...in comparison to Seattle (one commenter said that they currently live in Seattle but want to move to Cedar Rapids)...total opposites. I almost always drive a mile a minute in any direction, which is really nice. Weather...that being sad, driving in the winter is dangerous here. Since that is the case, I recommend living near where you work to lower your chances of getting into an accident. Besides driving in the winters, winters preclude you from spending much time outside because of the low temperatures. Another commenter said that that wasn't much snow here. What, compared to Russia?? In my opinion, Iowa gets a good amount of snow here. People...difficult for me to say as I am intentionally not looking to make friends because I don't want to live in a such extreme weather state. I made a couple of friends through my graduate program at the University of Iowa, but honestly if I were to have moved here just for a job, I think I would have a very difficult time finding "my people". Cost of living...yes, houses and condos are incredibly less expensive compared to the West coast and probably to a lot of states. BUT I do not think rents are that much cheaper here -- compared to Seattle too. I'm actually paying more for rent and for electricity. Groceries are decently priced but you may want to go up to Minneapolis or Chicago for a truly fine dining experience. What I would say is take some time to determine what is important to you before making a switch to a state like Iowa. Ask yourself what you will compromise on and what you won't compromise on depending on your present situation and future plans and your priorities. Good luck!

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Not so great - 4/20/2009

Cedar Rapids, as the rest of the Midwest, has some of the worst weather in the entire US. Summers are very humid just like living in the south and winters are extremely cold just like living in Canada. It's the worst of both worlds! We get tons of snow and the Spring season takes forever to arrive. Really, our window of nice weather goes from late May until early October, so that's 4-5 months. The rest of the time you are either wearing a parka or some type of jacket. The people here are rude too. Somehow CR won some award from some Allstate insurance company for having the nation's best drivers. If what we have are the best, I'd sure to see the worst! People here have never heard of turn signals and don't use them. If you let someone into traffic as a favor, they will just look at you and not thank you in any form. It's almost like you owe it to them. People are unfriendly for the most part. If you go just 10 miles outside of the city, you can be in small towns where they look at you as if you're from another planet! We won't even discuss that. Anyway, I can't think of any reason to live in Cedar Rapids, unless you believe in self-punishment. There are so many better choices out there. I would make Cedar Rapids one of the very last choices.

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Very few nice days - 2/27/2008

Although Cedar Rapids is a great city with low crime, great people, and lots of opportunity, the weather is terrible. We have had so much snow and ice this winter, then we get to look forward to tornadoes, rain, then hot humid summer. There's not very many comfortable days here.

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Cedar Rapids - Pros/Cons - 2/16/2008

Pros: 1. Very low crime rate 2. Good school system 3. Low cost of living and housing 4. Affordable place to live 5. Diverse, stable economy 6. Home to Quaker Oats and several other industrial producers 7. An overall good place to live and raise a family Cons: 1. The city smells from the Quaker Oats factories 2. Not very much to do

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Absence makes the heart grow fonder??? - 1/6/2008

I was born and raised in NW Cedar Rapids. I moved to Alaska at age 28,living there for 14 yrs and now reside Seattle. I always thought that Iowa was a"nice place to be from, but not a place to stay" well I have missed CR very often over the years. CR is MUCH friendlier than Seattle(very unfriendly people). I miss the beautiful change in the seasons and definetly have missed the outstanding education that my children did not recieve in either AK or Wa state. The cost of living does look attractive in CR, but I am a nurse, and the wages are very low in all of Iowa. I would consider moving back if I could make even half the wage I make here...I guess I'll need to wait for retirement.

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Quality of life - 8/9/2007

Cedar Rapids is a fairly large city (135K)in America's heartland. This is a good place to raise a family, as is Iowa in general. People are fairly friendly and it's pretty easy to get to know your neighbors if you want. In this area, we have great (though flat) biking trails, but little in the way of what most people would call "hiking trails." The scenery is pretty monotonous except in a few areas (e.g. Grant Wood country) that are blessed with some hills. The Mississippi Valley is also quite beautiful. Most of the good fishing spots in the state are outside of our Southeast quadrant, unfortunately. The climate if fairly extreme. Winter is colder and windier than upstate NY, but we are spared the snow. (Although there are places where the wind simply moves the same snow back and forth across the road several times a day!) The air in Cedar Rapids (the "City of Five Smells") can drive you indoors at times. Yeast, starch and food manufacture has some unpleasant side effects. And then there's the City of Cedar Rapids' Sewer (mis)Treatment plant......! The biggest drawback of living here is that Iowa is a "fly-over" state. While the U of I (in Iowa City, about 30 miles south) manages to atract some national acts, we are for the most part out of the mainstream. The food is surprising bad here! This is meat and potatoes county, and restaurants have a very hard time making it in Cedar Rapids. In a recent newspaper survey, chain outlets won in the categories of submarine sandwiches, Italian and Mexican food, and breakfasts. That shouldn't happen in an area as big as this (i.e. including the "Corridor" down to Iowa City, there are at least 250K people here.) Produce in supermarkets is also substandard, but there is a thriving farmers market circuit during the growing season. I like Iowa, but I am planning to move away. Not having a family, it lacks in too many areas to develop and sustain my enthusiasm. Condition your reaction to my comments by understanding my situation. Don't dismiss Iowa lightly--it has many qualities of life that "sexier" places are lacking.

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Cedar Rapids is all about the hawkeyes - 6/12/2007

Well, I played field hockey at IU and its a pretty awesome school. I drank a lot and don't remember much about class, grades, or any of the professors but when I was awake I loved it there. I ate lots of fast food also. Its a great town with a big city feel in a small town village environment. I made out behind the football bleachers with all the baseball team. Go Hawkeyes!

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Born and raised in Cedar Rapids - 5/30/2007

Cedar Rapids is my hometown. I haven't lived in Cedar Rapids since 1990. I left for a new job and hopefully a better life. I moved to eastern Wisconsin to a smaller city. There are many things I miss about Cedar Rapids. Some I do not. The city of five smells is what I called it at times. With Quaker Oats downtown, Cargill, Penford Products, and a few other businesses, the city stunk at times and may still. Cedar Rapids has some very nice things about it. The Cedar River running through the city, affordable housing and some nice state parks within a 30 minute drive. Boating on Coralville Reservoir and fishing is also good. The airport is close to the city and connects to major hubs. The city had some inexpensive public golf coarses that I played many times. It now has a great 4th of July celebration. The city and state also has a commitment to good education as I'm a product of a private school and graduated from it. Interstate access is good and its proximity to the Amana Colonies and Iowa City is definitely a plus. I may move back in a few years when I retire. Check it out.

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Cedar Rapids is a diamond in the rough - 12/4/2006

After 23 years in CR, I thought it was the end of the road so I moved to Los Angeles. What a mistake. Where to begin? 4 years in L.A. and I'm legally insane. So big cities have entertainment, that's it. There are 500 headaches that come with that entertainment. Cedar Rapids has low cost of living, great schools, low unemployment, 'generally' nice people, and many big city amenities without the hassles. As others here have said, it is a small town trying to act big but on the retail end of the segment, between CR and IC, they have almost everything LA has. The food selection is good but not as good as a large city. I look at like this. It takes 2 hours to get anywhere in L.A., and Chicago and STL are a little over 3 hours from CR. Why not live in CR and scat off to the big cities every once in a while? The best of both worlds. You get a 2000 sq ft house in CR for $180k, vs. $600k in the suburbs of LA. Californian's like to say, "Why don't you try harder to make it in L.A.?" I say, "Because life is short. While you are spending 6 addl. yrs. in school, then buying a $500k "starter home" just too finally start something, I'm 10 years ahead of you". Most of CR is manufacturing, with some IT, insurance and financial jobs. There are a few rich neighborhoods that are very nice. For me, I just want a house for my family, a couple cars and some good friends on the weekend. If you want middle class life, CR is for you. Drinking is definitely a sport there; bowling and golf are the main activities. School sports are big, especially college football and B-ball. Yes, I had those nights in CR where boredom set in. I mean, if it's not bowling night and the bars are weak, and friends are busy that what is there to do? Good to have a hobby out in the garage to stay busy, or get involved in the community. CR is great, no it doesn't have every single amenity but then again, if it did it would be more popular and more expensive. They don't want Californian's flocking there and ruining it, but they don't want to live there anyway from my experience. It's the kind of city that is just big enough to give a taste of the life, but not big enough to fulfill. Hence the kids moving away to bigger cities (temporarily), but they always come back. I can't wait to get back. Once you put up with the big city headaches, you appreciate CR.

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Tornadoes in Northeast Iowa - 6/26/2006

I can tell you this its like any other place, youll here a crash of lightning but thats about it occasonaly we will get a tornado warning but thats it. Ive heard of tornadoes around the Des Monies area and their to isloated. I dont really consider this state in Tornado Alley, the weather is great from the months of May-November with alot of sunshine

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RE: Tornado Statistics - 6/5/2006

I'm so happy Brian lives where it's 60 to 70 degrees every day. I'm sure he can also mow his lawn in about 5 minutes because it's probably 20 feet long. Anyway, I grew up in CR (18 years) and I only remember one tornado that ever struck the town. Iowa is north and east of Tornado Alley. That doesn't mean there aren't tornadoes, they just aren't as frequent or as violent as those in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas. My general comments about Iowa are that it's a horrible place to live if you are in your 20's, but it's a great place to raise a family once you are married and settled down. The education system has always been in the Top 5 nationally. If you're looking for a midwest city with some night life, I would recommend Minneapolis. The weather is pretty horrid, but they realize that and try to alleviate it with things like indoor driving ranges and parks.

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I would like to see the statistics on tornados - 4/23/2006

I live in Santa Maria CA it is 60 to 70 degrees year round.

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You can't go wrong - 4/21/2006

If you are looking for a safe place to settle so you can raise your kids away from the problems of big cities, Iowa is it. Other than a few places in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, and even fewer in Waterloo, the quality of education is outstanding and students receive individual attention from well-trained educators. Unlike places where students can frequently "cut class" without parents finding out, my sister received a phone call from the school principal himself when her son spoke dismissively to him during lunch period. Furthermore, standardized testing is frequently among the highest in the nation.

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iowa isn't that bad - 3/26/2006

I'm a single mom and couldn't imagine raising my child and future family any where but cedar rapids. waterloo has some higher crime and over all it's a more confusing place with a economy that dosen't seem to be as stable as cedar rapids. Cedar rapids has many major factories that keep jobs but it's still a "small town" it's large enough to be able to have choices of where to go. but small enough you don't need to worry about your childern quite as much as other places.

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Very nice people, low crime, and good schools - 3/26/2006

I have been living here for 10 years.Moved here from Florida (won't go back. too much crime and humidity).The people are very nice and friendly.They value family and relationships.The schools are very good.Cedar Rapids provides your child with a good public education and your kids can avoid the drug scene (my kids did and about 90% of their friends).About the crime.When I first moved here it was reported that the majority of all murders in Cedar Rapids were commited by someone they knew.I beleave that.You here the followup to a murder and, sure enough, it was someone they knew.So just pick your friends wisely in Cedar Rapids.One crime that is fairly predictable is bank robberies.They happen just before Christmas.Jobs are good here.Helps if you have a college degree.When the kids are done with school, my husband and I will move away from Cedar Rapids.There just insn't enough outdoor activities for us.We like to hike(not to many mountains) and cycle(west side of town the city is lacking in sidewalks. they have a very nice connected trail for cycling thru the center of town.)A lot of CR people head to Chicago or Mall of America for big city action.

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Life in CR, Iowa - 1/28/2006

The cost of living, housing market, and car insurance are cheap. You will live in the biggest houses for 1/2 the price compared to big cities. As a big city native, moving here is a oonstant adjustment. Its a small town trying to act big. The people here believe they are the friendliest in the nation and I beg to differ. They can be very clicky, rude, and crass. If you're over 25 and don't have kids, you're in a serious minority. Be prepared for non-stop obsession with education, kids, sports, and kids playing sports. They are also obsessed with their work ethic, and many feel putting in 10-12 hours is norm. There's a lack of culture here, but you can sniff out pockets of cool people wth a little effort. Your best friends for the first year will be bartenders since everyone else holds you at arms length. Its also full of bland mid-western white people with limited creativity. Moving here is a good experience to see different qualities of life, but long term here is difficult to envision. If you're looking for more culture, go to Des Moines. Cedar Rapids and Iowa City are just full of sports bars. If you could care less and are more of a homebody -- this is a perfect place for you.

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low cost of living and bad weather - 1/20/2006

relocated here for work- the cost of living is quite low. its a very family friendly town with lots to do IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN. it seems quite conservative and not very diverse. people seem pretty frienldy at first. the summers are hot and humid and the winters are VERY cold. easy to get around town with very little traffic.

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