Where to live in Dubuque (Asbury, Epworth: middle-class, real estate, rentals)

[wisconsinwoman]

I may be relocating to Dubuque. I'm having trouble finding very many rentals online. Can anyone tell me where to live/not to live in Dubuque or surrounding areas, preferably with a short commute to the hospital in Dubuque. Also, a duplex, townhome, house or apt. (least favored choice) that allows pets. Thanks!

[DBQer]

Originally Posted by wisconsinwoman

I may be relocating to Dubuque. I'm having trouble finding very many rentals online. Can anyone tell me where to live/not to live in Dubuque or surrounding areas, preferably with a short commute to the hospital in Dubuque. Also, a duplex, townhome, house or apt. (least favored choice) that allows pets. Thanks!

Most all of Dubuque's neighborhoods are safe, clean, and well kept-up. You'll find the best (and most expensive housing) the further you go west or south (generally) in the city, and Asbury, and Peosta, Iowa are also very nice, safe, clean suburban towns (but a little more expensive) with easy commutes. Within the city proper, its probably a good idea to avoid moving into the Near North, North End, or nearby areas (10th-25th Sts). They are not necessarily dangerous, but the housing is in worse shape, and there is traffic, and some bars and so on...

My best advice to you would be (if you're looking at a map of the city and draw a vertical line down the center) to find a place near or west of that line- the "West Side."

Definitely don't move to areas near Dubuque in Wisconsin or Illinois. The commute will be longer, and the housing choices are few and far between.

As far as finding a place, I'd suggest looking at AccessDubuqueHomes.com, checking out the Sunday classifieds in the Telegraph-Herald, or looking in the real estate magazine that's put out by the Telegraph-Herald the third Thursday of every month. Of course, you also could call any of the local real estate offices, Re-Max (563) 588-3078, Ruhl & Ruhl (563) 583-4550, and American (563) 556-4577 are all good options.

Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!

[zz4guy]

I lived on Dubuque's west side for over a year and it was great. Clean, new buildings, cheap, safe, easy to get to places. It was a little boring since it is more like suburbia out there. But oh well. Like someone said the downtown houses are old and sometimes run down. Parking sucks too. I would defintely live on the west side. My address was on Foothill Rd - off of JFK near Pennsylvania.

[mpwife]

Wisconsin woman,
The military is relocating us to Dubuque. My husband has to report January 2, 2008. We are currently living in Georgia. Over the last 18 years we have only lived in areas in the South or overseas. This is a bit scary for us since we are unfamiliar with Dubuque. We've been researching Dubuque online and I'm excited but at the same time a bit nervous. We have always had a sponsor (In the Army they help you relocate) but this time we are on our own since my husband will be recruiting and not assigned to a local post. We are looking for a house to rent. We will need at least a 3BR possible 4BR for my home office. We have a daughter in Kindergarten and one in High School . We need to find an area with good schools and nice neighborhoods. We have heard online that the areas WEST of Dubuque are better. We don't have to live in Dubuque, areas outside can be an option as along as the commute is not longer than 15 or 20 minutes. Considering we are moving blindly, we need to find someone we can trust and help us find a home so quickly. If you have had any luck finding a home or realtor can you pass it on to us.If you know of anymore rental listings in the area please let us know. Mpwife

[degal]

Originally Posted by mpwife

Wisconsin woman,
The military is relocating us to Dubuque. My husband has to report January 2, 2008. ........... Considering we are moving blindly, we need to find someone we can trust and help us find a home so quickly. If you have had any luck finding a home or realtor can you pass it on to us.If you know of anymore rental listings in the area please let us know. Mpwife

You have my sympathy, mpwife!!!!!! My husband and I are both from Northern climes, but have been living in Southern Indiana for the past 6 years. A job change brought us (also blindly) to Dubuque where we know NOBODY. We considered renting but honestly it is really difficult to find rentals from a distance. We ended up buying, and we're happy about our decision, but it would have been so nice to have reliable local imput before making such a huge (expensive) move.

I have been reading these fora, but haven't posted before, so I don't know if you can send me a private message, but if there is something I can do to help, let me know and I'll try. It is mid-october now and we moved mid-august, so I'm no expert.

I can tell you that the weather in Iowa will be a big shocker for your family, unless the overseas postings were in Germany or a similar country with seasons. Dubuque does not get as cold as the flat-lands only slightly more north of here, however, and northern cities are great about snow and ice removal so I don't expect to have much trouble during winter driving times (on main roads). Best of luck, REALLY hope you have a good experience.

[mpwife]

Thanks Degal, what area of town or anything around Dubuque do you think we should look at. I'd love to see any pictures you may have. Do you have any children schoolage or know about the elementary and high schools? I'm sure we'll love Dubuque, everyplace the army has sent us we have. Finding a place to live is the hard part. We just want to rent for at least 12 months before buying. We wouldn't be as lucky as you. Thanks and keep your eyes open for us. Mpwife

[degal]

I can put together some photos for you, though it may take me a few weeks. I have a 10 month old and a 15 year old, and they both keep me pretty busy!

We are public school people, but I'm told the private schools in Dubuque are quite good. Our daughter goes to Hempstead high school, the other public high school is called Senior. Both schools seem to do just fine academically, but quite honestly there is more money dedicated to Hempstead. It is a fairly nice school, quite a few course offerings.

I'm afraid I don't know anything first-hand about the elementary schools.

The west side of Dubuque is where the growth is, and the money is being spent. Some to the south, as well. West side is more suburban-feeling, to me. It's the "shopping mall, Wal-Mart, grocery store" kind of place. There are beautiful places on the hill by the colleges. We live on the north side of Dubuque, which is kind of middle-class/farmlike. We wanted rural, but with the snow, ice, and hills combined, we didn't feel we wanted to have our girls out in the country. For us, the north side is the perfect compromise.

If you are working in Dubuque, I do not recommend living in Illinois or Wisconsin, even though they are just across the river. The river crossing combined with the hills and bluffs make that commute frustrating.

Gosh, I could go on and on but it is late and I am getting very tired. I wanted to respond immediately because I know how frustrating it can be to wait and wait for someone to speak up when you're desperate for information. I promise to write more soon, and to get to work on those pictures for you.

~Degal

[iahoppers5]

I have lived in Dubuque all my life, its a great place to raise a family. As far as Elemenary Schools go the best by far are Irving, Hoover, Roosevelt and Kennedy Elementary, all on the west side. Crime rates are low and i must say Dubuque is a very Catholic Town!

[dubuqueaskme]

Anywhere in Dubuque. It depends on what you want. Asbury is more family-oriented, as is DBQ. If you choose to live in a suburb of DBQ (Asbury, or Peosta, or even Epworth) the commute is a dandy. Commute time for us in Peosta can be anyhwere from 10-20 minutes, depending on how we hit the lights on Dodge (20.) (: Traffic is wonderful, crime is low, what's not to love?