Tell me about Cedar Rapids

[benjay]

Living: Tough to find a bad neighborhood. Steer clear of the are just SE of downtown and you'll be fine. I live on the northeast side, which is probably the most convenient area of the city with close access to the interstate and the Lindale Mall shopping area.

Night life: Once you outgrow Iowa City (25ish), you'll find Cedar Rapids night life is decent. It's no Des Moines, but there are some good bars and quite a few good (non-chain) restaurants. Decent opportunities to see shows, comedy acts, plays, music, etc.

Recreation: Several golf courses, disc golf courses, bike trails, close access to Lake McBride and the Coralville Reservoir, 1 hour drive from Sundown Skiing (dubuque), 45 minutes to Riverside Casino, etc etc

Smells: Yeah, they're there. Don't let it ruin your day.

 

[ISULibrarian]

I will agree with most of what's been said here and chime in with a female perspective. I relocated to CR for work over a year ago, and this is also my fiance's home town. I concur with what's been said about CR being a family-oriented town; fiance grew up here and still loves the area. Home prices are reasonable, much more so than Iowa City. There are parts of town that are surprisingly rough (staring at you, area around Coe College/1st Ave), but for the most part I would say this is a safe community with good outdoor spaces and things for families to do. I think the dining scene is a little lacking compared to Des Moines for some things, but great ethnic food (Taste of India, Siamville), Mexican places and some good sushi and pizza to boot. Also, as a woman, I will say the shopping up here SUCKS. The malls are not awesome and could use redevelopment, considering the population of "metro" area. Plan to head to mall in Coralville or the outlet in Williamsburg for better shopping options. But generally speaking, as someone who's not from around here, the area has really grown on me over the last few years.

 

[Triggermv]

If you are into Sand Volleyball, on the North side of Town, there is a place called Volleys with tons of leagues and tournaments every day during the spring/summer/fall. I play there every week and I'd say they have around 20 courts. Lots of young people and couples there around our age and is a very good time.

 

[djcubby]

I grew up in the CR area (Marion). In my completely biased opinion Marion, Hiawatha, Robins or the NE side are the best areas to live in, much closer to a lot more than you are on the south or west side. In terms of night life it isn't Chicago or a college town but it's all what you make of it. If you want the college town atmosphere Iowa City is only 30 minutes away. I would agree with Trigger that the Piano bar (newly named The Vault for some reason) is my favorite bar, if you go with some friends it's a lot of fun, if not there are always people to talk with. When my friends and I go back we either go there or to Bills in Marion for more of a chill sit around and talk atmosphere.

They are also in the process of renovating and adding on to the U.S. Cellular Center/Convention Center. There are also plans to build an riverfront amphitheatre so it will be interesting to see what they bring in for entertainment at those. The Paramount theatere is also reopening after renovations after the flood in November, they have a VERY solid lineup STOMP, Bill Cosby, Blue Man Group, B.B. King, among other plays, musicals and the orchestra. There is also Theatere Cedar Rapids which puts on some VERY good plays and musicals.

For sports there are six area high schools, Kirkwood C.C., Coe, and Mount Mercy for high school and college sports (Iowa is 30 minutes away in Iowa City and Ames is only two hours down 30, UNI is an hour north on 380). There is also a minor league baseball team, hockey team and an indoor football team.

IMO CR has a bad rap but has more to offer than people are willing to admit, it is all what you make of it.

Right on here. I grew up in Marion and graduated from Linn-Mar in the mid 90's. There wasn't a whole lot of diversity with Linn-Mar at the time. Really the only diversity was between the city kids, the city kids who thought they were country kids, and the actual country kids.

Most of my family still lives in the area. I have a couple of nieces that go to Marion High School and they really seem to like it, mainly because it is smaller than most other schools in the area.

As for night/single life, everyone is dead on. It's not like living in a big city, but it is what you make of it.

 

[TRZA]

I have enjoyed my visits to some re-opened restaurants in downtown Cedar Rapids. Little Bohemia Bar & Grill, Sykora Bakery, Blue Toad/Red Frog. Mount Vernon has a couple award-worthy restaurants, and the Amanas have some unique places that I never have time for because they serve food family style and I am always in a hurry.

 

[benjay]

I live on the SE side where both the richest and the poorest live in close proximity to each other. And let me tell you the rich are pretty rich.

This is very true - the richest neighborhood in CR is just east of the slums. I always found that strange. It's a fun neighborhood to drive through though, some "old money" type of houses.

 

[aauummm]

ISpyCy has touched on something else that is good and hasn't bene talked about. From an outdoorsman perspective, Cedar Rapids is surprisingly really pretty solid. Like I said above, there is some great paved/not paved bike trails through the city and in the surrounding area. There is quite a few super close great state parks including 2 decent sized lakes very close by. Lake McBride is more the low-key no-wake peaceful lake to swim, canoe and fish, while Corallville is the big Reservoir with big boats, skiing, wakeboarding and beaches. If you are in to dirt biking/ four-wheeling, there is a great play area for those called 1,000 acres (I believe that is what it is called) near Lake McBride.

While most of Iowa is fairly flat and agricultural with very few trees, the area between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids is quite the opposite. It has lots of trees, lakes, rolling hills, and great scenery. Arguably, Cedar Rapids is the best or one of the best cities in the state for people who like the outdoors.

There's also Pleasant Creek Recreation Area right next to the Duane Arnold Energy Plant. There is some very nice housing in that area and it's pretty scenic with bike paths, picnicking, camping, fishing, etc.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources > Destinations > State Parks & Rec Areas > Iowa's State Parks > ParkDetails

 

[SNEDDS3]

I've been in CR for 8 years and it is not a bad place to call home. It's not a party town but it's a safe town and it is what you make of it. Just to add a couple of other things to what has been said: One of my favorite places to eat is Phong Lan, it's Vietnamese food and it's damn good. Also, Third base brewery is pretty much it for craft brew places and they do a good job. There is plenty to do outside around here. Lots of parks.

When you get to town, let us know and we welcome you and your family. Thanks for your service!

 

[sandiego]

Just curious, where are you transferring from? I work at Duane Arnold as well. Living in Hiawatha is great, 20 minutes to work. You do not want to commute from Iowa City to Duane Arnold. Your life will suck, your wife will probably kill you. You will be working a **** ton of hours so don't waste your time driving 2 hours a day.

What department you going to be in? I'm in operations working on my SRO license. Life sucks, I assume you're Navy, so you know what to expect.

 

[cytech]

I like the sound of a family town. I'm 30 with a wife and a 4 1/2 month old girl, which is why I'm getting out of the military. I'm hoping to work at the Duane Arnold Energy Center, which I believe is to the NW of CR. I also think it's not too far from CR, so distance won't be a problem.

Anyway, I am hoping to be able to see some Tech -ISU games up there in Ames in the near future.

The NE side is what you will be looking for or perhaps a home out in the county heading that way with a large lot. I grew up in that area and went to Kennedy which is a great school. I know a couple people that currently work out there and they both enjoy it. There is also the small town of Palo which is where the plant is located that is a option. You will find much better home prices out there vs in CR.

This is very true - the richest neighborhood in CR is just east of the slums. I always found that strange. It's a fun neighborhood to drive through though, some "old money" type of houses.

There was a recent study that said the zip code from Urbandale is the top area in Iowa for income with the 52411 area code in NE CR/Linn County is the Second highest in the state. But there are some very nice homes in the SE area.

 

[cytech]

I've been in CR for 8 years and it is not a bad place to call home. It's not a party town but it's a safe town and it is what you make of it. Just to add a couple of other things to what has been said: One of my favorite places to eat is Phong Lan, it's Vietnamese food and it's damn good. Also, Third base brewery is pretty much it for craft brew places and they do a good job. There is plenty to do outside around here. Lots of parks.

When you get to town, let us know and we welcome you and your family. Thanks for your service!

Don't forget Granite City last time I was there they still were brewing beer (has been a while though)

 

[wxman1]

Also as others have said all of the schools are very good. I went to Linn-Mar and loved it. Fair warning though the tax rate is higher in the LM district in order to pay for some BADLY needed upgrades (new stadium, new elementary buildings, and for the first time a pool). The city of Marion has been one of the fastest growing cities in Iowa for over a decade now and all of that growth is in the LM district. In the next 10-15 years another high school will be needed in the district as well.

Since your going to be working at D.A.E.C. one of my claims to fame is that my grandpa was one of the lead E.E.'s that helped design and oversee the building of it and the distribution network. My dad remembers going with him on weekends so he could inspect the progress and playing in the tanks (or whatever you want to call it ) where the reactors would be.

 

[Bobber]

For Iowa, it's a decent town with lots of options. Good proximity to a nice airport as well the scenic rolling hills of Eastern Iowa and the Mississippi. Dubuque, Iowa City, and the Quad Cities are all relatively close. Crime is more of an issue than it used to be, but still a relatively safe city.

Will be a nice place to raise a family and for a 30 year old who is married with small children, would think you'll be happy with the move.

 

[SNEDDS3]

You are correct, I just don't really consider brewing bud light a craft brewery. I find granite over rated all around, IMO.

 

[benjay]

There was a recent study that said the zip code from Urbandale is the top area in Iowa for income with the 52411 area code in NE CR/Linn County is the Second highest in the state. But there are some very nice homes in the SE area.

Interesting - what is the 52411 neighborhood called and where is it located? Just curious.

 

[cytech]

Interesting - what is the 52411 neighborhood called and where is it located? Just curious.

Doesn't really have a name it is west of edgewood road and north of 42nd street NE most of it is in unincorporated Linn County

 

[aauummm]

Doesn't really have a name it is west of edgewood road and north of 42nd street NE most of it is in unincorporated Linn County

Here's an example of the houses for sale in that area:
4617 Blarney Dr, Cedar Rapids, IA 52411 MLS# 1205876 - Zillow

 

[Triggermv]

You are correct, I just don't really consider brewing bud light a craft brewery. I find granite over rated all around, IMO.

Agreed.

 

[RedRaider42]

Just curious, where are you transferring from? I work at Duane Arnold as well. Living in Hiawatha is great, 20 minutes to work. You do not want to commute from Iowa City to Duane Arnold. Your life will suck, your wife will probably kill you. You will be working a **** ton of hours so don't waste your time driving 2 hours a day.

What department you going to be in? I'm in operations working on my SRO license. Life sucks, I assume you're Navy, so you know what to expect.

Well, I'm transferring from NPTU Charleston, but before that the USS Enterprise. While I was on the Enterprise I had a 40 mile commute which was hell, so I don't plan on ever having a ridiculous commute like that again.

I honestly hadn't heard about DAEC or really Nextera (the focus on nuke jobs down here is Scana and Duke) until recently when I met a recruiter at TAPS class who told me all about DAEC. SRO is one of a few openings he wanted me to apply for, so I might be right behind you working towards that license. The biggest thing for me right now is trying to sell my wife on CR, but you guys are doing a really good job on that, so thank you!

Do you have any goods tips for interviews there?

 

[Rabbuk]

Don't move to Marion, Hiawatha, or Robins unless you're an old person basically. Cedar Rapids is a good place to grow up and raise a family as others have said.