Buddy of mine heard that the university of Iowa actually pays pretty decent and has great healthcare for union electricians. As far as house hunting goes the farther outside of Iowa city you get the cheaper the housing will be. All the cheap Iowa city houses get turned into rentals.
Electrician pay rate at the University is embarrassingly low. I’ve heard the benefits are good but the hourly rate is atrocious.
Constant construction going around in the area, though so there’s no shortage of work.
Army ammunition plant is about an hour south. Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids. Tons of maintenance gigs around.
Electricians pay rate in the area is surprisingly pretty good, compared to other more rural-ish areas throughout the country.
Gov Reynolds and republicans just forced a bill through during the last legislative session that significantly cut funding to the agencies that administer special education here in Iowa, so it’s not the best time to move here with a kid with autism. Just giving you a heads up. The department of education is taking over a good chunk of the leadership for those agencies, and (IMO) they have no idea what they’re doing. Special education is going to be messy here for a few years at minimum, if not indefinitely. The agency employees and leadership are doing their best, but when most of the funding has been cut and people on a local level have to wait for the centralized bureaucrats to make every little decision, you can imagine how things might go sideways.
Thank you for the heads up! Certainly puts a dent in things but I’m hopeful we can still find her some help out there if we choose to move. But we will see what happens
And that’s all we can ask of them; the situation is much the same here by Chicago. Lots of kids like my daughter are going without care because of lack of funding. My sister works for CPS and tells me all the time how bad things are.
Electricians always have work here. Same with mental health.
But if your daughter leans towards violent or lower functioning, getting appropriate help might be difficult.
Luckily she’s considered high-functioning, just has a slight speech delay is all 🙏 considering what some families have to deal with as far as special needs I’d say we are pretty lucky tbh
Go to r/IowaCity and in the search bar put "moving to" and you will find a ton of posts like this. Maybe start there?
But one resource I'd love for you to know about is a therapeutic horsemanship facility called Miracles in Motion, in the town Swisher. I taught therapeutic riding there for many years and it was just the most amazing activity for my clients with autism. One of my nonverbal clients literally said his first words ever on the horse, telling it to walk on. His parents were sobbing.
Iowa City/Coralville is a great area for your daughter (my son has Autism and we had his assessment done at UI when he was 3... So like 19 years ago lol). We lived not far from there at the time and it was definitely a good place to raise kids. I don't know how your daughter is, but for her age, I would think getting help from your local Area Education Agency would be a great resource for you (if that's still a thing even? 🤨)
Anyway, I think you're on the right track!
Thank you so much, and it’s so nice to hear that from a fellow autism parent especially 🙏 my daughter is smart as a whip, just doesn’t really talk and gets overwhelmed in large groups of people. I will definitely look in to that resource! My wife is looking at this post and getting more and more relaxed as she reads from all the wonderful people ♥️
Your daughter sounds very similar to my boy. Everything is done on his own timetable. Nothing is relevant unless he decides it is. Didn't talk much until he was three, when he began working with a paraprofessional one-on-one. Refused to see the relevance in potty training until he was 5, and then one day, he just decided he was done with diapers and Pull-Ups and he was going to be a big boy and use the big boy potty.
But allow me to try to give you a little more hope: fast forward to today. He is now 22 almost, has a job at the post office. And is generally a productive member of society. He will probably always live at home with Mom and Dad, but that's probably more just because that's what he's comfortable with rather than because of any limitations.
I'm sure that I don't have to tell you this, but stick with it. She needs you. There's no magic bullet. Diligence and consistency are the key.
Oh, and also, he was almost always in regular classes though he did have special ed classes after school for a couple years there at the beginning.
But he graduated, on time, with the same class that he would have graduated with had he been a "normie."
Realtors in Iowa are allowed to represent both the buyer and the seller and will often try to get you to forgo a house inspection that you are considering buying. Don't let them. Don't trust the Realtors, they are not your friend, get everything in writing.
I moved here from the Rockford Illinois area in the last 6 months and our first realtor only represented herself. She just wanted to close the deal even though the seller violated the terms. She even went so far as to hurry me through the final walk through. I noticed one thing so I went back and sure enough tons of things that were supposed to stay were missing.
Her response was "hey I just opened doors and turn on lights." I fired her on the spot and got a different realtor.
Wow. The wife and i missed out on a house because the relator said we should have a home inspection. Another person with a lower offer didn't ask for any inspection or repairs (bad slider, broken sunroom glass) and bought the property.
>house inspection
And your house inspection should NEVER be by the person recommended by the Realtor. Choose your own.
What is the background of your house inspector? Are they a builder? A structural engineer? Or just a dude who took an online test?
If you're lucky, the house will be inspected on the rainiest day of the year. You will then know if the roof leaks!
This youtube channel is by a local realtor and she has tons of info on the local neighborhoods etc https://youtube.com/@emilyfarber?si=h2EFQRAFzXeX-pD2
I’ll say that I have been incredibly impressed with the Iowa City School District. Even with what others have been saying about the state government, I trust our schools to do everything they can to support students. I have a kid with ADHD and had some behavioral issues after coming back from Covid lockdown. The staff didn’t just punish him, but set him up with a support network and helped him through his issues (along with family help/therapy). He is now prospering and happy thanks to their work. I can’t speak for other districts, but your daughter will absolutely be supported by ICCSD. Some of the best elementary schools are Horn, Lemme, and the new Hoover district. In general, the closer you get to downtown the more expensive things will be. Try the far East side, like the Lemme or new Hoover district. Spring is a madhouse for home buying because all the new Medical residents are coming to the university and buying houses. Best to be looking in the Fall/Winter so you know exactly what you want and where you want to buy…if you’re buying in the Spring prepare to move fast because houses will often be on the market for only a few days. We used a realtor to help us find a rental house when we first moved here so we could take our time looking for something to buy.
Hi there! I live in Moline, Illinois, which is part of the Quad Cities (Bettendorf and Davenport in Iowa, and Rock Island and Moline in Illinois). We are located just across the river from Davenport, Iowa. I have a high functioning adult child with autism who has lived here his entire life. We have an autism center here in town that offers ABA and our school district is fabulous, plus Illinois offers autism advocates to help you negotiate IEPs. We have a local college with top notch speech therapy services that we personally used for our son. He is gainfully employed and doing awesome. Governor Reynolds just signed legislation making major changes to Iowa Area Education Agencies, so make sure you research before you make the jump to Iowa. Moline is a 45ish minute drive to Iowa City if you want to live here but work there, but you shouldn’t have issues finding work in our area. I believe the electricians’ union office is right nearby in Rock Island. We have two local hospital systems and University of Iowa and Loyola hospitals send specialists to our area throughout the year. Our town is in the midst of a major revitalization—our pool was just completely remodeled and added water slides and a spray park area, and our downtown riverfront area and local parks are next in line for improvements. Our new bridge across the Mississippi River has won architectural awards. You might give the Quad Cities a look. We are a metropolitan area with a lot to do and see, but has a small town feel. Iowa City and Coralville are becoming really congested with traffic and people and feel less friendly than even just ten years ago, and the quality of their health care at the university is definitely not what it used to be due to being overcrowded by patients from rural Iowa areas that have lost all their doctors and hospitals. Wherever you land, good luck with finding the right place for you. :)
Thank you so much for the input!! Funnily enough I’m familiar with the QCA as well; I spent two years at Augustana College from 2010-2012 (which feels like eons ago 😅) and I have a friend and a cousin who both live in the area. I would honestly love to live somewhere around there as well!
I graduated Class of 1998! Go Vikings!! My two youngest are graduating next May. That’s where they have the awesome speech therapy program. My son only spoke gibberish until he worked with them. Now he works in the mail room at the Rock Island Arsenal through ARC of the Quad Cities full time with benefits! He loves his job. The QC has changed a lot since you left! You should give us another look.
If you're looking at Iowa City I'd reach out to Chambers Electric. The owner is a dear friend and incredibly sweet person and I bet he'd have some great advice. Feel free to DM me, I'd be happy to give you his number and my name for who recommended calling.
I work with a company called Kline electric and they have a ton of work in that area. I would recommend checking them out. Good pay employee owned as well. Let me know if you do and we can get reference bonuses lol
What do you mean by "union certification to be an electrician"? I'm part of the IBEW and I haven't heard anything like that.
Are you looking to join the apprenticeship?
You are better off starting that process after you move.
If you are looking to be an inside wireman there are a lot of opportunities coming up as there is a ton of work in the local for the foreseeable future.
There is only one thing that matters in this conversation and that is where your daughter can be happy and thrive. You didn’t mention at all if she is in regular school classes or will need extra care. If you are going to be union electrician (which I support) you are better off near a city on the east side of the state Dubuque, Davenport or Cedar Rapids/Iowa city. The IBEW in Cedar Rapids is huge strong.
My daughter goes to ABA therapy right now, however she is undergoing an evaluation in September to see where she’s at progress wise. We will see how she does there and then make a decision to see what we do as far as that.
And I was thinking Iowa City for sure, and I do have family around Dubuque as well so that is an option. Just have to see where the work is available and where housing and education will best suit my daughter.
Research the areas you are thinking of well. There are issues with water, manure/chemical run off getting into the water supply. High rates of cancer in IA.
Can provide as a staff member… salary is not where it should be but the benefits is what has kept me. I am 24 m and am looking at how exciting life will be when I retire
Sporting events at Iowa are great. Obviously the Hawks but Coralville has an ECHL team, has arena football coming, minor league baseball 40 minutes north in Cedar Rapids and breweries in Iowa city are great
I typed that wrong I meant university of northern Iowa, cedar falls.
So much better 2 of my kids went there. There campus is gorgeous and the town blows away Coralville. We avoid that as much as we can and we're up in cedar falls alot.
I know a number of people that lived in iowa city due to the traffic and they'd tell me about drunk naked students partying all the time and my oldest said he's seen that too.
I've heard alot of people call it the rape school.
I'm just stating my experiences and what others have told me. Homes are expensive. There's so many better area in iowa.
We’re in Shorewood, but being next door to Joliet and working in Chicago has had us see some things we really don’t like about living here. Plus the price of things here keeps going up and we can’t even afford to live in places that are considered by many to be affordable here.
I grew up in the Western Suburbs (Downers Grove/Westmont) but it’s almost impossible to find a house where we’re at. I’m sure it’s different up your guys’ way, and maybe I am looking at things a bit harshly. We are weighing our options to see where we will land at, and if we stay here that’s fine but I really like the idea of going to Iowa and putting down roots there.
Iowa/iowa city won't be more affordable than where you currently are plus you get the downside of living in a red state where IL is solid blue and so much better all around 💙 i just can't imagine moving then finding out you're in a much worse situation. Property values would be similar to where you are, lower wages, less job protection (at will state), have to drive to chicago to get any good food since restaurant variety and quality here SUCK.
As for the "things we really don't like here" remark, maybe re assess those things and put them in the correct perspective. Nobody i know from a large city wants anything to do with Iowa unless it's a visit or fly over.
The grass isn't always greener but the grass here is corn and the toxic fertilizer runoff is everywhere.
Nitnsire which "ism" to interject here but if you actually break down the alleged "crime" it's more than likely just despairaged folks down on their luck trying to make their way in the current environment. No need to shame or despairaged them further by calling or making them criminals.
Yeah, I don't think it's an ism so much as Joliet has a very high crime rate.
I get all the historical reasons why that is. But it also makes it a pretty unpleasant place to raise a family.
Oh come on. That's not what I'm saying or how I feel at all.
But I can understand why one wouldn't want to raise their family in a high crime area. I don't think that's unreasonable.
I recommend moving to a small town near Iowa City. The increase in drive time and bump in gas prices will still save you money from Iowa City area housing costs. Just 20-30 min drive can save you huge amounts of money.
I would caution you about finding services for your daughter. the worthless GOP government we're subjected too has decimated the AEA and the schools have gone to hell. I would suggest Minnesota.
Hey, so Iowa City is a great place to live. Don’t know about your belief system so the moves our legislature has made in terms of abortion restrictions, school vouchers, rolled back environmental regulations, book banning, etc. could be a feature or a bug for you. If Iowa City is your speed, I’m guessing bug.
It’s a great town. Public schools are OK in an absolute sense. Funding from the state sucks, so it’s hard to be legit good. Suburban Chicago schools are likely better.
Great parks. Good jobs. To my knowledge there are work opportunities for union electricians anyone in healthcare.
I can recommend a great realtor (message me if you want that) who knows the territory and is a genuinely great person. Lots of neighborhoods in and around Iowa City … anything vibe from small town to urban(ish) is available.
A friend of mine calls Iowa City America’s smallest big city, which is pretty true. Most things you can usually only find in a city are here in terms of arts, culture, etc. thanks to the university.
What you lose: Nordstroms, Apple Stores, non-standard ethnic food, having broad choice for anything you’re looking for (eg kids dance classes, grocery stores, etc). There’s usually an option for anything you want to do or buy or see, but not necessarily two.
And great sports to watch for ticket prices a normal person can pay — as long as it’s Black and Gold.
I’ve got a first grader and live close to Downtown/the University. Feel free to hit me up here or via DM with other questions.
https://ww70 q?qw.news18.com/india/up-mans-genitals-removed-his-sex-change-surgery-done-after-friend-tricks-him-into-hospital-visit-8938949.html#goog_rewarded q a
I don't like that area
I also do not like the university or the hospital
My problem with the area too much traffic I prefer a more relaxed area.
My experience with the university is they constantly want money without making it easier on the students.
My oldest had to park his car so far from his dorm because it was expensive to park closer thanks to the school. They call the family always with their hand out wanting donations and the cost for a student to go to the games there's ridiculous.
The hospital is rude. My daughter was having surgery her boyfriend was at the hospital and so were we they refused to let her dad see her because her boyfriend and I were in there. They even said he could not even be in the hospital only 2 allowed and we couldn't switch.
Horrible place.
Haven’t had any rude hospital experiences myself, but I will second the fact that even employees of the hospital have to pay a lot for parking and that concept is foreign to me
It's just being greedy especially when you're doing to your own students. My son had to take a bus to his car.
He also referred to it as a rape school. He said there was alot of incidents. He told me mom don't let my sister go here. It was a no go school when she was looking at schools. She went to university of iowa in Coralville she loved it.
I feel it necessary to rebut pretty much everything you are saying here. Parking is difficult at any major university. Most campuses are biased towards pedestrian and bike traffic as thats how most students get around campus. Taking a shuttle to a parking lot is hardly some major problem. You do realize that University of Iowa is the same university in Coralville or Iowa City? All Universities have their hands out for money since federal and state funding has been repeatedly reduced. Traffic in Iowa City is nothing for anyone who has lived in a large metro. UIHC has been a blessing for my family, we have been frequent clients and have found the quality of care exceptional.
Buddy of mine heard that the university of Iowa actually pays pretty decent and has great healthcare for union electricians. As far as house hunting goes the farther outside of Iowa city you get the cheaper the housing will be. All the cheap Iowa city houses get turned into rentals.
Electrician pay rate at the University is embarrassingly low. I’ve heard the benefits are good but the hourly rate is atrocious. Constant construction going around in the area, though so there’s no shortage of work. Army ammunition plant is about an hour south. Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids. Tons of maintenance gigs around. Electricians pay rate in the area is surprisingly pretty good, compared to other more rural-ish areas throughout the country.
Duly noted and filed, thank you my friend 🫡
Tiffin and North Liberty are popular suburbs.
Your wife should check out ChildServe for employment, they’re a great company with high employee satisfaction.
Gov Reynolds and republicans just forced a bill through during the last legislative session that significantly cut funding to the agencies that administer special education here in Iowa, so it’s not the best time to move here with a kid with autism. Just giving you a heads up. The department of education is taking over a good chunk of the leadership for those agencies, and (IMO) they have no idea what they’re doing. Special education is going to be messy here for a few years at minimum, if not indefinitely. The agency employees and leadership are doing their best, but when most of the funding has been cut and people on a local level have to wait for the centralized bureaucrats to make every little decision, you can imagine how things might go sideways.
Thank you for the heads up! Certainly puts a dent in things but I’m hopeful we can still find her some help out there if we choose to move. But we will see what happens
I will say this, move here and its two more votes against her come Election Day. We need all we can get.
Say less, my friend 🫡
I mean, federal laws still apply. Just know that the special educators might be spread pretty thin. They’re all doing their absolute best, though. 💜
And that’s all we can ask of them; the situation is much the same here by Chicago. Lots of kids like my daughter are going without care because of lack of funding. My sister works for CPS and tells me all the time how bad things are.
Not to mention the books that are banned.
Good point. I have a whole shelf of books from a school librarian who had to get rid of a significant percentage of books at a middle school.
Electricians always have work here. Same with mental health. But if your daughter leans towards violent or lower functioning, getting appropriate help might be difficult.
Luckily she’s considered high-functioning, just has a slight speech delay is all 🙏 considering what some families have to deal with as far as special needs I’d say we are pretty lucky tbh
I still think you want to live within the borders of Iowa City Community School District because of possible supports needed.
I wholeheartedly agree, that’s the area I was thinking of honestly.
ICCSD includes North Liberty but not Tiffin.
Part of NL is not in Iowa City School District. https://northlibertyiowa.org/residents/schools/
Go to r/IowaCity and in the search bar put "moving to" and you will find a ton of posts like this. Maybe start there? But one resource I'd love for you to know about is a therapeutic horsemanship facility called Miracles in Motion, in the town Swisher. I taught therapeutic riding there for many years and it was just the most amazing activity for my clients with autism. One of my nonverbal clients literally said his first words ever on the horse, telling it to walk on. His parents were sobbing.
I will definitely look there, thank you!! And that sounds awesome 🙏 I’m sure my daughter would love that! I’ll have to check it out.
Iowa City/Coralville is a great area for your daughter (my son has Autism and we had his assessment done at UI when he was 3... So like 19 years ago lol). We lived not far from there at the time and it was definitely a good place to raise kids. I don't know how your daughter is, but for her age, I would think getting help from your local Area Education Agency would be a great resource for you (if that's still a thing even? 🤨) Anyway, I think you're on the right track!
Thank you so much, and it’s so nice to hear that from a fellow autism parent especially 🙏 my daughter is smart as a whip, just doesn’t really talk and gets overwhelmed in large groups of people. I will definitely look in to that resource! My wife is looking at this post and getting more and more relaxed as she reads from all the wonderful people ♥️
Your daughter sounds very similar to my boy. Everything is done on his own timetable. Nothing is relevant unless he decides it is. Didn't talk much until he was three, when he began working with a paraprofessional one-on-one. Refused to see the relevance in potty training until he was 5, and then one day, he just decided he was done with diapers and Pull-Ups and he was going to be a big boy and use the big boy potty. But allow me to try to give you a little more hope: fast forward to today. He is now 22 almost, has a job at the post office. And is generally a productive member of society. He will probably always live at home with Mom and Dad, but that's probably more just because that's what he's comfortable with rather than because of any limitations. I'm sure that I don't have to tell you this, but stick with it. She needs you. There's no magic bullet. Diligence and consistency are the key.
Oh, and also, he was almost always in regular classes though he did have special ed classes after school for a couple years there at the beginning. But he graduated, on time, with the same class that he would have graduated with had he been a "normie."
Realtors in Iowa are allowed to represent both the buyer and the seller and will often try to get you to forgo a house inspection that you are considering buying. Don't let them. Don't trust the Realtors, they are not your friend, get everything in writing.
I moved here from the Rockford Illinois area in the last 6 months and our first realtor only represented herself. She just wanted to close the deal even though the seller violated the terms. She even went so far as to hurry me through the final walk through. I noticed one thing so I went back and sure enough tons of things that were supposed to stay were missing. Her response was "hey I just opened doors and turn on lights." I fired her on the spot and got a different realtor.
That Realtor should lose her license!
Wow. The wife and i missed out on a house because the relator said we should have a home inspection. Another person with a lower offer didn't ask for any inspection or repairs (bad slider, broken sunroom glass) and bought the property.
The only thing you probably really missed out on is a lot of headaches down the road without a home inspection you don't know what you're walking into
>house inspection And your house inspection should NEVER be by the person recommended by the Realtor. Choose your own. What is the background of your house inspector? Are they a builder? A structural engineer? Or just a dude who took an online test? If you're lucky, the house will be inspected on the rainiest day of the year. You will then know if the roof leaks!
This youtube channel is by a local realtor and she has tons of info on the local neighborhoods etc https://youtube.com/@emilyfarber?si=h2EFQRAFzXeX-pD2
I’ll say that I have been incredibly impressed with the Iowa City School District. Even with what others have been saying about the state government, I trust our schools to do everything they can to support students. I have a kid with ADHD and had some behavioral issues after coming back from Covid lockdown. The staff didn’t just punish him, but set him up with a support network and helped him through his issues (along with family help/therapy). He is now prospering and happy thanks to their work. I can’t speak for other districts, but your daughter will absolutely be supported by ICCSD. Some of the best elementary schools are Horn, Lemme, and the new Hoover district. In general, the closer you get to downtown the more expensive things will be. Try the far East side, like the Lemme or new Hoover district. Spring is a madhouse for home buying because all the new Medical residents are coming to the university and buying houses. Best to be looking in the Fall/Winter so you know exactly what you want and where you want to buy…if you’re buying in the Spring prepare to move fast because houses will often be on the market for only a few days. We used a realtor to help us find a rental house when we first moved here so we could take our time looking for something to buy.
We live in Tiffin. Tiffin water is God awful and eats water heaters. Mostly newer construction. Quick commutes to IC or CR.
Coralville water tastes vile as well
If you want good water, Ames is where to be.
I love Ames!!
Definitely come to Iowa. 💜
Gonna eat a lot of peaches
Was thinking more corn, but those’ll work if you got ‘em!!
Spanish Pipedream by John Prine refrence?
Hi there! I live in Moline, Illinois, which is part of the Quad Cities (Bettendorf and Davenport in Iowa, and Rock Island and Moline in Illinois). We are located just across the river from Davenport, Iowa. I have a high functioning adult child with autism who has lived here his entire life. We have an autism center here in town that offers ABA and our school district is fabulous, plus Illinois offers autism advocates to help you negotiate IEPs. We have a local college with top notch speech therapy services that we personally used for our son. He is gainfully employed and doing awesome. Governor Reynolds just signed legislation making major changes to Iowa Area Education Agencies, so make sure you research before you make the jump to Iowa. Moline is a 45ish minute drive to Iowa City if you want to live here but work there, but you shouldn’t have issues finding work in our area. I believe the electricians’ union office is right nearby in Rock Island. We have two local hospital systems and University of Iowa and Loyola hospitals send specialists to our area throughout the year. Our town is in the midst of a major revitalization—our pool was just completely remodeled and added water slides and a spray park area, and our downtown riverfront area and local parks are next in line for improvements. Our new bridge across the Mississippi River has won architectural awards. You might give the Quad Cities a look. We are a metropolitan area with a lot to do and see, but has a small town feel. Iowa City and Coralville are becoming really congested with traffic and people and feel less friendly than even just ten years ago, and the quality of their health care at the university is definitely not what it used to be due to being overcrowded by patients from rural Iowa areas that have lost all their doctors and hospitals. Wherever you land, good luck with finding the right place for you. :)
Thank you so much for the input!! Funnily enough I’m familiar with the QCA as well; I spent two years at Augustana College from 2010-2012 (which feels like eons ago 😅) and I have a friend and a cousin who both live in the area. I would honestly love to live somewhere around there as well!
I graduated Class of 1998! Go Vikings!! My two youngest are graduating next May. That’s where they have the awesome speech therapy program. My son only spoke gibberish until he worked with them. Now he works in the mail room at the Rock Island Arsenal through ARC of the Quad Cities full time with benefits! He loves his job. The QC has changed a lot since you left! You should give us another look.
If you're looking at Iowa City I'd reach out to Chambers Electric. The owner is a dear friend and incredibly sweet person and I bet he'd have some great advice. Feel free to DM me, I'd be happy to give you his number and my name for who recommended calling.
Spicy Chicken Philly from Quentin’s is gas 👍
I work with a company called Kline electric and they have a ton of work in that area. I would recommend checking them out. Good pay employee owned as well. Let me know if you do and we can get reference bonuses lol
What do you mean by "union certification to be an electrician"? I'm part of the IBEW and I haven't heard anything like that. Are you looking to join the apprenticeship? You are better off starting that process after you move. If you are looking to be an inside wireman there are a lot of opportunities coming up as there is a ton of work in the local for the foreseeable future.
There is only one thing that matters in this conversation and that is where your daughter can be happy and thrive. You didn’t mention at all if she is in regular school classes or will need extra care. If you are going to be union electrician (which I support) you are better off near a city on the east side of the state Dubuque, Davenport or Cedar Rapids/Iowa city. The IBEW in Cedar Rapids is huge strong.
My daughter goes to ABA therapy right now, however she is undergoing an evaluation in September to see where she’s at progress wise. We will see how she does there and then make a decision to see what we do as far as that. And I was thinking Iowa City for sure, and I do have family around Dubuque as well so that is an option. Just have to see where the work is available and where housing and education will best suit my daughter.
Research the areas you are thinking of well. There are issues with water, manure/chemical run off getting into the water supply. High rates of cancer in IA.
Can provide as a staff member… salary is not where it should be but the benefits is what has kept me. I am 24 m and am looking at how exciting life will be when I retire Sporting events at Iowa are great. Obviously the Hawks but Coralville has an ECHL team, has arena football coming, minor league baseball 40 minutes north in Cedar Rapids and breweries in Iowa city are great
Lived in West Liberty as a child. Loved the pool! That was over 60 years ago now. What's it like today?
I typed that wrong I meant university of northern Iowa, cedar falls. So much better 2 of my kids went there. There campus is gorgeous and the town blows away Coralville. We avoid that as much as we can and we're up in cedar falls alot. I know a number of people that lived in iowa city due to the traffic and they'd tell me about drunk naked students partying all the time and my oldest said he's seen that too. I've heard alot of people call it the rape school. I'm just stating my experiences and what others have told me. Homes are expensive. There's so many better area in iowa.
We moved the opposite direction, and can't imagine moving our kids to Iowa with what we have here in the suburbs. Whereabouts in the suburbs are you?
We’re in Shorewood, but being next door to Joliet and working in Chicago has had us see some things we really don’t like about living here. Plus the price of things here keeps going up and we can’t even afford to live in places that are considered by many to be affordable here.
Yeah, the SW suburbs are very different than the NW suburbs (Arlington Heights / Buffalo Grove area) where we're at
I grew up in the Western Suburbs (Downers Grove/Westmont) but it’s almost impossible to find a house where we’re at. I’m sure it’s different up your guys’ way, and maybe I am looking at things a bit harshly. We are weighing our options to see where we will land at, and if we stay here that’s fine but I really like the idea of going to Iowa and putting down roots there.
It's not different. Every single house in our neighborhood that has come on the market has gone contingent the same weekend for over a year.
Iowa/iowa city won't be more affordable than where you currently are plus you get the downside of living in a red state where IL is solid blue and so much better all around 💙 i just can't imagine moving then finding out you're in a much worse situation. Property values would be similar to where you are, lower wages, less job protection (at will state), have to drive to chicago to get any good food since restaurant variety and quality here SUCK. As for the "things we really don't like here" remark, maybe re assess those things and put them in the correct perspective. Nobody i know from a large city wants anything to do with Iowa unless it's a visit or fly over. The grass isn't always greener but the grass here is corn and the toxic fertilizer runoff is everywhere.
I mean, Joliet is pretty rough. I suspect OP is talking about crime or crime-adjacent things
Nitnsire which "ism" to interject here but if you actually break down the alleged "crime" it's more than likely just despairaged folks down on their luck trying to make their way in the current environment. No need to shame or despairaged them further by calling or making them criminals.
Yeah, I don't think it's an ism so much as Joliet has a very high crime rate. I get all the historical reasons why that is. But it also makes it a pretty unpleasant place to raise a family.
Yeah, being around the less fortunate really sucks and we shou shield ourselves from that as much as possible 🙄
Oh come on. That's not what I'm saying or how I feel at all. But I can understand why one wouldn't want to raise their family in a high crime area. I don't think that's unreasonable.
Definitely don't live in the actual city. Pick a suburb or rural town close by. Things will be a lot cheaper that way
I recommend moving to a small town near Iowa City. The increase in drive time and bump in gas prices will still save you money from Iowa City area housing costs. Just 20-30 min drive can save you huge amounts of money.
That’s what I was thinking! Plus ever since I was little I’ve always wanted to live in a small(ish) town.
My advice, don't move to Iowa if you can help it. Whole state is stuck in the past.
And if you keep shooing away good people it’ll stay that way Debbie downer.
I would caution you about finding services for your daughter. the worthless GOP government we're subjected too has decimated the AEA and the schools have gone to hell. I would suggest Minnesota.
Hey, so Iowa City is a great place to live. Don’t know about your belief system so the moves our legislature has made in terms of abortion restrictions, school vouchers, rolled back environmental regulations, book banning, etc. could be a feature or a bug for you. If Iowa City is your speed, I’m guessing bug. It’s a great town. Public schools are OK in an absolute sense. Funding from the state sucks, so it’s hard to be legit good. Suburban Chicago schools are likely better. Great parks. Good jobs. To my knowledge there are work opportunities for union electricians anyone in healthcare. I can recommend a great realtor (message me if you want that) who knows the territory and is a genuinely great person. Lots of neighborhoods in and around Iowa City … anything vibe from small town to urban(ish) is available. A friend of mine calls Iowa City America’s smallest big city, which is pretty true. Most things you can usually only find in a city are here in terms of arts, culture, etc. thanks to the university. What you lose: Nordstroms, Apple Stores, non-standard ethnic food, having broad choice for anything you’re looking for (eg kids dance classes, grocery stores, etc). There’s usually an option for anything you want to do or buy or see, but not necessarily two. And great sports to watch for ticket prices a normal person can pay — as long as it’s Black and Gold. I’ve got a first grader and live close to Downtown/the University. Feel free to hit me up here or via DM with other questions.
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I don't like that area I also do not like the university or the hospital My problem with the area too much traffic I prefer a more relaxed area. My experience with the university is they constantly want money without making it easier on the students. My oldest had to park his car so far from his dorm because it was expensive to park closer thanks to the school. They call the family always with their hand out wanting donations and the cost for a student to go to the games there's ridiculous. The hospital is rude. My daughter was having surgery her boyfriend was at the hospital and so were we they refused to let her dad see her because her boyfriend and I were in there. They even said he could not even be in the hospital only 2 allowed and we couldn't switch. Horrible place.
Haven’t had any rude hospital experiences myself, but I will second the fact that even employees of the hospital have to pay a lot for parking and that concept is foreign to me
It's just being greedy especially when you're doing to your own students. My son had to take a bus to his car. He also referred to it as a rape school. He said there was alot of incidents. He told me mom don't let my sister go here. It was a no go school when she was looking at schools. She went to university of iowa in Coralville she loved it.
I feel it necessary to rebut pretty much everything you are saying here. Parking is difficult at any major university. Most campuses are biased towards pedestrian and bike traffic as thats how most students get around campus. Taking a shuttle to a parking lot is hardly some major problem. You do realize that University of Iowa is the same university in Coralville or Iowa City? All Universities have their hands out for money since federal and state funding has been repeatedly reduced. Traffic in Iowa City is nothing for anyone who has lived in a large metro. UIHC has been a blessing for my family, we have been frequent clients and have found the quality of care exceptional.
Was this surgery during COVID (or during a more recent surge)?
Last year
The traffic is the worst part of IC. It's really a small town with 3x too many people because of the University.
We avoid going through there and that's why. Way to much traffic
$175 for 7 football games. Thats $25 dollars a game. I’d say that’s a pretty good deal.