Reviews & Comments
Cedar Rapids, IA
Born and raised in Cedar Rapids -
5/30/2007Cedar 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.
Sheboygan, WI
Still a pretty good place to live and raise a fami -
5/30/2007I have lived in Sheboygan now almost 17 years having moved here from another state. As with any city and area there are a mix of good and not so good things about Sheboygan. Sheboygan pluses include: the Lake Michigan shoreline, scenic beauty, close to Road America racetrack, championship golf courses, boating, fishing, activities, state park, recreation, commitment to good school system, good police and law enforcement, strong employment, affordable housing, good state and county roads, moderate cost of living increases, good access to health care, professional sports in Milwaukee and Green Bay, and some cultural events. Minuses include: high property taxation, blue collar mentality, dirty coal fired powerplant, poor city roads and maintenance, dependence on manufacturing jobs for employment, poor cleanliness of streets, excessive city ordinances for minor violations, excessive public spending on private development, small town mentality including lack of concern for growth, pollution and such, and lack of friendliness to outsiders. Overall Sheboygan is a fair place to live. The problems I've listed above are keeping the city's population from growing over the past 35 years as population has remained stagnant. Overall climate is fair also. Mostly cooler Springs and Summers due to the lake affecting weather. Warmer Falls. At times it can be very hot and humid in summer. 1995 was a scorcher and temperatures exceeded 110 degrees several days in a row.