OT: Cedar Rapids

[rebecacy]

Thinking of a move to Cedar Rapids -- I used one of those cost-of-living sites and it estimates an 8% increase over St. Louis. This surprised me. Anyone have any thoughts on this?? Also, where in CR is it best to look for homes?? -- Thanks in advance.

 

[psycln11]

Thinking of a move to Cedar Rapids -- I used one of those cost-of-living sites and it estimates an 8% increase over St. Louis. This surprised me. Anyone have any thoughts on this?? Also, where in CR is it best to look for homes?? -- Thanks in advance.

I'd avoid a home near the river. You just might have some water damage.

 

[clones_jer]

as far as homes: in general stick to the NE & NW sides or Hiawathia / Marion areas.

 

[CyPride]

Thinking of a move to Cedar Rapids -- I used one of those cost-of-living sites and it estimates an 8% increase over St. Louis. This surprised me. Anyone have any thoughts on this?? Also, where in CR is it best to look for homes?? -- Thanks in advance.

Does it allow for comparison from zip code to zip code?

Housing is generally less expensive in Missouri compared to Iowa. One example, more slab construction in Missouri, so that would scew the general housing cost down as slab homes are less expensive than basement homes. What specifically was the area of greater expense? i.e. did that site break down the expense categories, or just say it was 8% more expensive?

 

[cyfanatic]

You can get a lot more for your money in the surrounding communities...Fairfax, Ely, Swisher...

If you want to live in the city...NE, NW and parts of the SW side are most desirable!

 

[CYKXBUT]

North edge of Marion there is an east-west road (partially paved), but there are some sweet newer large houses with large yards. I don't know if it is inside city limits or not, but is currently more of a rural setting.

 

[clonomaniac]

Thinking of a move to Cedar Rapids -- I used one of those cost-of-living sites and it estimates an 8% increase over St. Louis. This surprised me. Anyone have any thoughts on this?? Also, where in CR is it best to look for homes?? -- Thanks in advance.

Funny, I actually moved from Cedar Rapids to St Louis last year. I used to own a home in NE Cedar Rapids.

 

[Cydkar]

as far as homes: in general stick to the NE & NW sides or Hiawathia / Marion areas.

Agree. I grew up on the NW side, currently live in Marion, and will be moving to the NE side in my next move. The SE side has some wonderful old homes but you have to be very careful about the neighborhood or nearby neighborhoods. If you are into those type of homes do extensive research before pulling the trigger.

 

[rebecacy]

Agree. I grew up on the NW side, currently live in Marion, and will be moving to the NE side in my next move. The SE side has some wonderful old homes but you have to be very careful about the neighborhood or nearby neighborhoods. If you are into those type of homes do extensive research before pulling the trigger.

Can you be more specific -- what should we look out for???? Wife likes remodeled older homes -- she said something about bever or beaver park area???

 

[erikbj]

NE side, Hiawatha, Marion or Robins.

 

[benjay]

Can you be more specific -- what should we look out for???? Wife likes remodeled older homes -- she said something about bever or beaver park area???

Some really cool homes in that area. But the closer you get to downtown from Beaver Park, the shadier the neighborhoods get. I wouldn't worry too much about it if your immediate neighborhood is nice.

 

[bawbie]

Can you be more specific -- what should we look out for???? Wife likes remodeled older homes -- she said something about bever or beaver park area???

The bever park/ brucemore neighbor hood is great. very nice older homes with character.

The fear/concern over the "bad parts of town" are way overblown to me. I live in that part of town and have never had any problems whatsoever.

 

[intrepid27]

Cost of living comparisons are not very accurate when there is a large metro area involved (St Louis). You are far better off looking at real estate websites in CR. That is the true market. If you are interested in 5 acres with remodeled house and lots of buildings on a hard surfaced road 34 miles from CR feel free to PM me.

 

[clones_jer]

Can you be more specific -- what should we look out for???? Wife likes remodeled older homes -- she said something about bever or beaver park area???

Basically avoid near the flood areas or near Coe college. The "classic" line-up of Mr Money/Liquor Store/Payday loans, should give it away.

They recently have added a new police station to the area on the SE side where there have been multiple violent crimes.

and its spelled "Bever", pronounced "Beaver"

I live in Marion, the big drawback to that is that it takes 2 weeks to drive from Marion to anywhere. If I goto an ISU game the first 30 mins of my drive is getting from Marion to "out of Cedar Rapids". I've heard good things about the Fairfax / Walford area ... basically attached to the SW corner of CR.

 

[Gonzo]

Thinking of a move to Cedar Rapids -- I used one of those cost-of-living sites and it estimates an 8% increase over St. Louis. This surprised me. Anyone have any thoughts on this?? Also, where in CR is it best to look for homes?? -- Thanks in advance.

CR is pretty affordable. As for location, depends on what you like. NE side is nice for the most part, a lot of newer construction out by Boyson/C Ave. and adjacent to Robins. There are older neighborhoods off of C Ave. as well that are technically NE side. Nice areas as well, but homes are older and usually smaller. If you have young kids NE has great neighborhoods in and around Bowman Woods area.

SE side is nice as well, but mostly older homes and more "mature" neighborhoods. If you're into big old homes with character that might need some work, SE is for you. Overall, very nice tree-lined streets, especially in the Beaver Park area and as you head from the park away from downtown. There are some sketchy areas as you head towards downtown from Beaver Park.

I like the NE and SE sides the best. SW side has never been that attractive to me, but different strokes. I'd say NW is better than SW, but I prefer NE and SE.

 

[Cydkar]

Can you be more specific -- what should we look out for???? Wife likes remodeled older homes -- she said something about bever or beaver park area???

I think that part of town is just fine. Really nice older homes that just aren't built anymore. Like stated before, get farther west of around 19th street (a guess) it can get dicey.

 

[Cydkar]

The bever park/ brucemore neighbor hood is great. very nice older homes with character.

The fear/concern over the "bad parts of town" are way overblown to me. I live in that part of town and have never had any problems whatsoever.

I know too many people that wound up in the wrong part of town but the Bever Park area is cool. Although I believe dozens of ducks were stoned to death in the park by some kids. You don't see that in the suburbs. :smile:

 

[bawbie]

I know too many people that wound up in the wrong part of town but the Bever Park area is cool. Although I believe dozens of ducks were stoned to death in the park by some kids. You don't see that in the suburbs. :smile:

1) kids will do stupid things, it doesn't matter where they are

2) what happened to those people who "wound up in the wrong part of town"? I drive through that part of town every day and go on walks in that part of town at night. Nothing bad has ever come close to happening to me.

some people in CR treat that part of town like it's the bad part of a big city. I've been in bad parts of Chicago. It isn't ANYTHING like that. It's still Iowa and it's still safe a vast majority of the time.

 

[2forISU]

I just moved from North Liberty to STL and the cost of living in STL is higher. I know the cost of living in Johnson county to Linn county is much higher. I'm not sure why anyone would want to live in Linn county...the smell alone drives me away. Also, the weather is STL is 10x better.

 

[Bobber]

1) kids will do stupid things, it doesn't matter where they are

2) what happened to those people who "wound up in the wrong part of town"? I drive through that part of town every day and go on walks in that part of town at night. Nothing bad has ever come close to happening to me.

some people in CR treat that part of town like it's the bad part of a big city. I've been in bad parts of Chicago. It isn't ANYTHING like that. It's still Iowa and it's still safe a vast majority of the time.

I agree. I live in Waterloo and similar issues. Some people will never move here because of perceived stigma, but housing is relatively cheap and my neighborhood is fantastic.