Moving to Ottumwa, any advice? (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids: houses, rent, income)

[hawkfan]

Ive carefully read and deliberated the other blogs, and would have to concure. Clearly in this case the numbers truly do speak for themselvs. The statistics were stagering. Clearly Ottumwa falls behind even the blique numbers of the our other communities. Ottumwa puts the blue in blue collar there are very few job oppurtunities. My best advice to any one moving to Ottumwa is to be prepared to commute.

[leewy23]

That is the face that I make when I hear of anyone wanting to move to Ottumwa. I spent my childhood there and moved the day after graduation. The elementary schools on the North side are nice but the southside schools ( with the exception of Wildwood) are nowhere that I would ever want my own kids to go. Grew up there in the 80's and 90's, and have heard that since then, there is a LOT more "gang" activity. I suppose as much gang activity as there can be with a smaller community. The middle school is like a jungle. There is no control and the kids all know it. The high school is not too bad, a step up after being in the middle school. My advice is much like the others, if you have an option, don't move here. The only nightlife I ever heard of was at Scooters downtown. I don't even know if that is still there. Haven't been back to Ottumwa in a long time and am happy that I haven't. Again

[hammesamie]

I have lived here for 3 years and it is not that bad, but you have to be careful if you are renting. I live in a 3 bedroom duplex and pay 425 a month, but I have a great landlord who had repainted everything, put in new carpet, and will be there in a minute if I call on him. As far as nightlife, not not a lot of it, there are a few bars, but nothin compared to LA. I wish you luck and if you ever have any wuestions about it hit me up at hammesamie@yahoo

[ottumwa blows]

I would definately not move to ottumwa! The high school is horrible, and if you have any kids wanting to play sports get ready for a sickening feeling, It is definately who you know!! Your kid will get the shaft unless you are a doctor lawer or the coaches kid. The Athletic director (then the football coach)played his own kid at quarterback and he had the talent and size of a chia pet!! when there were others 100 times better! there is no night life a never ending supply of drugs,thousands who cannot speak english, a hog butchering plant, john deere which does not hire much or pay well, way too many bars, Ottumwa is "the city of bridges" and 2 of the 3 are dilapidated and scarry to even cross. nothing for kids to do here unless they like skateboarding. I would say a -99 out of 10 all in all!.

[manders1997]

All I can say is that way too many of you are giving Ottumwa a bad rap! I've lived here all of my life, with the exception of the years that I attended college in Cedar Falls. I chose to return here for my career and to raise my children. You are right, there are some negetive things about the town, but I personally don't know of any town that doesn't have some low points. And as far as the schools are concerned...they are all great schools! I myself am a teacher at one of the south side schools. We have our share of problems, but our staff is great and I would be honored to have my children attend ANY of our schools!! I am fortunate enough to be one of the ones who lives on the "north side," but grew up as a "south sider." It makes no difference where you live, it is simply your way of living that matters. There have been many more hispanics which have come in recent years, but most of them are hard workers who are here to make a living. There of course are some exceptions to that rule.

There is not much night life here to speak of, but it is all what you make of it! I had lots of good friends growing up who made my "nights" a whole lot of fun and I didn't miss the big crowded bars.

To those of you who are thinking of coming to Ottumwa, you would be very welcome here and I think you will love it. To those of you who are so keen on putting Ottumwa down...thank goodness you left or chose not to come in the first place...it's people like you that our town doesn't need!

[mitchella7]

I am plaining on moving to Ottumwa and was wandering when I should look for a job? My spouce is a mig welder and I am in business management and marketing. We want to move to a place that we fell that we won't have to worry about crime like we do where we live now. We want our children to be away form that type of living, where should we look?

[cheetahs500]

I moved here from Ames, IA a year and a half ago. Contrary to popular comments, I like it. Housing is cheap and the people are nice. The water tastes bad, so buy a filter. The town has an atmosphere of a town with 2000 people with a population of 23000. It's been my experience that people take care of each other here. The town is on a river bluff, so winter travel can be challenging, but the streets are cleared fairly quickly. I've lost power twice since I've been here, but it has been back on within 2 hours. The streets are bad, but what do you expect for such low property taxes!

[bungeebrain]

I would say Ottumwa would be good if you had a job already lined up. You definately would not have to worry about crime, growing up there I have some good memories but it was just not the place for me.
I tried the big city thing and did not like it also, so now I'm trying the midsize city thing. I would say if you had a good job lined up you will do ok, the price of living is way cheaper than other places.

[jon2007]

stay out of ottumwa-unless u want to have no life-lol

[metro223]

Originally Posted by jon2007

stay out of ottumwa-unless u want to have no life-lol

People manage to have a life in towns much smaller than Ottumwa in Iowa.

"LOL"