Dubuque V. Cedar Rapids (Davenport, Iowa City: insurance, low crime, how much)

[metro223]

Ohh so you're working in Dubuque or Cedar Rapids, but will have to commute to Rock Island regularly since the warehouse is there? Is this right? haha...

Well I guess check out both communities and figure out which one you want to work in (if you have a choice.) If you decide Cedar Rapids then Mount Vernon/Lisbon are two small towns that are connected about 15-20 minutes East of Cedar Rapids along US 30, running parallel with i-80, this would make it very convenient to CR or the QC.

[WoodwardGirl]

As a salesperson, will you be doing a lot of flying? If so, do you have any general ideas where? Iowa cities (or western Illinois cities) are very seldom a direct flight to anywhere except a hub. Dubuque and the Quad Cities and Cedar Rapids airports all vie with one another; I think Cedar Rapids presently has the edge in number of flights, but they may not be with the carrier you would use the most.

Otherwise, where would your sales territory be? Would it make sense to locate sort of central to the territory, so nobody on the far end gets slighted just because the roads are so bad for the months of February and January that it's nigh on impossible to get there (not that THAT ever happens!)

Schools are generally just darned good here. I'd say the difference is whether you want a large town or small town experience with the school. In a small town, everyone gets to participate in all activities and students with problems (or gifts) of any sort are less likely to be overlooked. In larger communities, there are more diverse opportunities -- many small school don't offer French, German or Japanese, for example, only Spanish. At the larger schools, the Industrial arts students have the opportunity to actually build a house, while in the smaller communities, you're pretty much stuck with end tables. Etc.

DMRyan is right -- you really need to visit. I think you'll be absolutely amazed at how "small town" some of our bigger towns are.

[SharpHawkeye]

Ok, I get it now. Sorry for all the confusion.

Strictly between Dubuque and Cedar Rapids...I'd take Dubuque. I find Dubuque to be a cleaner, more charming downtown and the area has a great natural beauty unlike any other place in Iowa. Plus Dubuque has great schools and three good small colleges right in town.

As for small towns in the area, which it seems is what you're after, there are several. Anamosa is a nice midsized town between the two cities. I've also heard a lot of good things about Mt. Vernon and Tipton. And you could easily visit all of these places in a weekend.

I'd also still consider Iowa City. It's about a 30 minute commute to Cedar Rapids on the interstate. It's going to be a little pricier than Dubuque, CR or the small towns in between...but it's worth it, in my opinion. Lots of small towns/suburbs between Iowa City and CR proper too, if that would interest you.

Sorry about all our confusion!

[jasperhobbs]

If airport is a concern then consider Cedar Rapids over Dubuque. Dubuque airport resembles Hooterville airport from Green Acres show, limited flights, delays and lost luggage. Many Dubuquers drive to Moline or Chicago for flying needs

Jasper

[metro223]

And just for the record Quad Cities' ticket prices are generally muuuuch lower!

[Clint_Noname]

Cedar Rapids has lower crime, better schools, and crime isn't rising gradually there each year. For those reasons, I think CR is a better place to live than Dubuque.

Dubuque has more amenities, a more attractive downtown, more of a small-town feel, more job growth, and doesn't have the Quaker Oats smell to it.

Originally Posted by metro223

Dubuque is really pretty, but I think I would rather live in Cedar Rapids or Marion, maybe a small town outside of the area. Just curious - why are you only limiting yourself to Dubuque and Cedar Rapids? Why not just live in the Quad Cities? There are some really good school districts around there.

Actually, Davenport (one of the Quad Cities) has one of the worst school systems and highest crime rates in the state of Iowa. Avoid it at all costs! You'll be glad you did. If you want to live in the Quad Cities, Moline (across the state line in Illinois) is a good place to raise a family. But out of the three areas mentioned in this thread, I'd choose Cedar Rapids. It has the lowest crime and the best school system of the three areas.

[metro223]

I believe I said around there, such as: North Scott, Pleasant Valley, Bettendorf, etc...

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by Clint_Noname

Cedar Rapids has lower crime, better schools, and crime isn't rising gradually there each year. For those reasons, I think CR is a better place to live than Dubuque.

Dubuque has more amenities, a more attractive downtown, more of a small-town feel, more job growth, and doesn't have the Quaker Oats smell to it.

Dubuque does have an attractive downtown that is dead after 5 PM and not all that safe at night.

Cedar Rapids has much more job growth. Dubuque jobs are mostly tied to tourism industry and low paying.

Jasper

[SharpHawkeye]

Notice that nobody's said anything bad about Iowa City yet! Of course, I'm sure by saying that...somebody will.

[DMRyan]

jasper, aren't you being a little too harsh on Dubuque? The downtown is unsafe? I've had the fortune of spending a decent amount of time in Dubuque over the past year and I never felt unsafe in downtown. I admittingly haven't hung out in the dive bars of the north side of downtown or near the Washington Neighborhood where it gets a little sketchier, but to say by and large that downtown is unsafe is a misnomer.

Cedar Rapids better have more job opportunities since it's more than twice the size of the Dubuque metro. CR would really be in trouble if this weren't the case. CR can take advantage of Rockwell Collins and incredible spin-off effects this furture Fortune 500 company has. Both cities have done very well over the past few years in luring industrial jobs too.