Considering Iowa City

70,133

Population

Sunny Days: 199

95100 Affordability

95100 Schools

65100 Diversity

95100 Safety

See all the facts!

LookyLOO Review of Iowa City

Literary and Stuff

Iowa City is a genuinely unique locale. Home to one of the best creative writing programs in the world, a stellar university and school district, and a top-flight hospital, Iowa City is amongst the best-educated urban areas not only in the state but the entire region. Populated by a diverse crowd of ‘Iowa Nice’ people, with parks, museums, and a library with youth outreach programs, this is an ideal place for young couples either with children or planning to have children. And despite the isolated location, between the summer jazz festival, touring Broadway shows, university sports games, and a plethora of outdoor activities, it’s a cultured area where you’ll never want for things to do.

The weather in Iowa City is mostly extreme. Summers get up near and in the hundred-degree range, flash floods can happen year-round, and it has cold, dry winters in which a gray sky blankets a land of little snow. You’ll need a four-wheel drive a high level of comfort with driving in the ice, and a deep closet of warm winter clothes. Additionally, the isolated location does mean that other major cities such as Chicago are generally around four hours' drive away.

Lifestyle

Iowa City is, at its core, a college town. This means that the population shifts throughout the year as the school year starts, stops, and starts again, and with it, the downtown party scene waxes and wanes. This is especially true during college football season, during which time the entire city revolves around the gridiron. Meanwhile, if you’re more of an outdoorsy type, then Iowa City is definitely for you: excellent trail running, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and kayaking, as well as a superb indoor rock climbing facility at the university gym. And of course, a strong brewing culture for the discerning beer enthusiast, and programs at the library and children’s museum for those with young children.

If you want to see what people get up to in Iowa City check out the calendar of events.

Worklife

The majority of jobs in the area are centered around the university or the hospital. If you are in education or medicine, you likely will not lack career opportunities. That said, outside of that, the area is primarily geared towards service industry jobs and small businesses. However, if you are currently enjoying the work-from-home lifestyle, you’ll find it a pleasantly affordable, charming small city in which to live and work.

Why You Should Move Here Now?

Laid-back Intelligentsia

A scenic midwestern landscape with excellent schools and organic food, Iowa City combines the laid-back, progressive attitude of the West with the friendliness and down-to-earth atmosphere of its home state. If you are a young family, an educator, an aspiring writer, or a healthcare worker, there are few places better suited.

Reviews of Iowa City from Locals

Fartologist
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

I moved from Los Angeles to Iowa City to get a PhD. I was there from 2013-2019. Before I interviewed, I could not have even pointed to Iowa on a map. Living in Iowa City and going to grad school there was one of the best decisions of my life. I really loved it there. The campus/city is very beautiful with lots of history, at least compared to where I was from. There’s a lot going on and you can find fun activities all over. As another poster noted, rent is high for iowa standards, but you can manage. I had a great one bedroom for many years and I was only making 20k per year from grad student work. Lastly, as someone who is coming from a warmer state, winter is no joke! You’ll need to buy a legit coat, gloves, scarf, hat, and boots. You will fall on the ice.

For more reviews of what living in Iowa City is like from locals, check out The Reviews.