In July 2012 Iowa City made it to #2 on the Best Cities for Successful Aging List. Iowa City routinely makes it onto lists promoting the best places to live. You might think of Iowa City as a college town and be surprised at the idea that it’s also a place that offers so much to older members of the community. Read on and you’ll soon appreciate the many benefits this diverse little town has for everyone who lives here!
The Biggest Advantages of Living in Iowa City
First of all let me say that as a real estate agent I tend to look at things a little differently than in a study. They look at a different set of criteria than me when they decide whether Iowa City offers residents what they need to comfortably live here.
I appreciate all the physical attributes that make the town what it is, but I also want to share how it feels to live here. It’s reassuring to know that the University of Iowa and the UI Hospitals will ensure that we always have a good working population in Iowa City. That’s what provides a stable economy and environment. It’s also true that the cultural impact of the University has a positive impact on life in Iowa City. Much more than that though is the unique opportunity we all have to be part of a young, diverse community and the positive energy that creates for all members of the community. I compare it to when I became a mother and how my sons kept me young. My sons are young men with their own lives now, but living in this young and vibrant community with opportunities to meet with people from many different cultures continues to keep me young.
I relocated to Coralville in 2000 and am fast approaching the age they’re looking at in this study so feel qualified to pick out the things I think are important to elaborate on in this post. I should mention that Coralville is considered to be in the Greater Iowa City Area. I live in central Coralville and can be in downtown Iowa City in 10 minutes and at the UI Hospitals in about the same time. (Coralville is to the west of Iowa City and it’s actually an easier commute for me to the UI Hospitals than for residents on the east side of Iowa City).
Quality of Life & Amenities Available in Iowa City & Coralville
Right off the bat I can say that the quality of life in Iowa City and Coralville is enhanced by both towns being invested in Green Living. There are an abundance of parks with interconnecting biking trails offering plenty of options for everyone in the community. As we all live longer we also stay active longer and there are lots of options for active adults in Iowa City.
The availability of public transportation is a huge benefit for both younger and older members of the community. Iowa City and Coralville get an A+ for this in my book and rank very well for this on many of the lists it shows up on, including the study by the Milken Institute.
It will come as no surprise that the only place Iowa City does better than transportation is on healthcare. The UI Hospitals and Mercy Hospital are both in Iowa City. (Not to mention the VA Medical Center if you happen to be a Veteran). As we get older healthcare is more of an issue for us and it’s comforting to know that there’s a hospital just around the corner.
Okay, so what’s the catch you want to know. Iowa City sounds like a pretty great place to live. The biggest gotcha in my book, (and remember, this is my opinion), is the weather. This is not Florida. It gets cold in Iowa. On the up side, a big focus on community activities means there’s always something to do regardless of the season. If it’s winter you just need to be willing to brave the cold to get there!
Of course I’m going to wrap up this post with a subject near and dear to my heart – The Iowa City real estate market. We have homes in all shapes and sizes in the Iowa City area, (although apartments with elevator access are rare as I found out recently when looking for apartment style condos for a client). There are many ranch style condos and zero lots in the Iowa City and Coralville area that are popular with buyers looking for the benefits of one story living.
Want to talk through your options and figure out whether Iowa City is the right destination for your relocation? Give me a call at 319-400-0268 or drop me an email. I’m here to help!
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