Quailty of life in small Iowa towns (Des Moines, Waterloo: real estate, apartments)

[MichaelJG]

I have been looking for some input on the quality of life in smaller Iowa towns. I am working overseas, but am conducting a job search that has led to some good prospects in small towns such as Colfax, Eldora and Brooklyn Iowa. Do any readers have input on the current quality of life in these small towns? I was born in Iowa and went to school there, but have been overseas for over 20 years. I would appreciate any information.

[zz4guy]

Quality of life is kind of a loose term to me. Do you mean housing, crime, entertainment opportunities, taxes?

Small town living is cheap compared to city living in Iowa. If you don't mind being far away from everything but the most basic stores you might really like the small towns here. Cheap living means lower paying jobs though, unless you're willing to drive.

My experience has been most people are very friendly and willing to help you in small towns here.

[capitalcityguy]

I agree w/ zz4guy. "Quality of Life" is relative to what qualities your are looking for. As someone who grew up in small town Iowa, I appreciate some of the advantages that provided me growing up. That said, I feel my quality of life now (living in Des Moines) is much higher than if I moved back to my small hometown for reasons such as: cultural emenities, shopping, housing options, entertainment available, and job opportunties.

[MichaelJG]

Okay, fair enough. I'll be more specific. Used car prices for a five to ten year old vehicle in good condition? Rents for apartments and older homes in these communities of two to three thousand folks? Energy costs on a monthly average over a year? How much seed money do you think it would take to fly in from overseas with just luggage and start up in one of these towns?
There seem to be plenty of teaching jobs in small towns like Clinton, Hamburg, Atlantic, Eldora, Independence, etc. Clinton got a pretty good bashing on this site. I am assuming the young people are choosing jobs in the larger urban areas and that is leaving a shortage of teachers in the small towns. I am in my 50's and looking for a quieter, simpler life but have focused on the area around Des Moines for good medical care and the airport. However, I like the looks of Eldora and hoped to hear from someone who had lived up there. They have a nice state park nearby with fishing, camping and cabins. Southwest Iowa always looked and felt a bit drab to me when I was young. The farm ground didn't seem too great and it appeared to be a depressed area. Has that changed? There seems to be a lot of work in the schools down there for some reason.
I've been away for a long time, and I'm just trying to get a handle on the cost of living and the feel of things in these small towns. Are people there because they want a quieter life, or is it some kind of quiet desperation deal? My hope is that like-minded people are seeking life in these smaller communities...not the bedroom communities so much as those a tad farther out. Somewhere you can get to the city easily, but it isn't looming over the next hill, with perhaps some fishing and camping nearby.
Does this make sense, or am I out of touch and mentally stuck in the late 60's and early 70's of my youth?

[DMRyan]

I think Eldora is nice small town, but nearby Iowa Falls is even better. Waterloo-Cedar Falls will probably end up being your closest city rather than Des Moines. Colfax isn't a horrible place, but there are many other smaller towns near Des Moines that just seem more appealing. In another decade or so, and barring $8 a gallon gas prices, I could see the suburban subdivisions start to build in Colfax. It's sandwiched between Des Moines and Newton and may not keep that unique small town vibe for ever.

Look into Boone, Adel, Iowa Falls, Webster City, or plenty of other county seat type towns in Central/North Central Iowa. Make sure the community has a lot of pride, enough to keep the place clean and fairly progressive when it comes to attracting growth.

[MichaelJG]

"I think Eldora is nice small town..."
Thanks for the perspective. I've read good comments on this site about Webster City, but no job offers from there. It looks like Brooklyn, Colfax or Eldora at this point. Colfax appeals to me because I grew up in Dallas County and have freinds there. Eldora is just a nice location, and I went to UNI in Cedar Falls so I am comfortable in and around Blackhawk County. Brooklyn is just a place where I stopped to get gas on I-80, and I haven't a clue as to what's there. Any info out there on some of my questions on the price of things? Utilities, used cars, a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread. One of the other comments on this site mentioned buying things at Casey's. I can imagine the convenience store prices are high. Brooklyn seems relatively close to Newton and Grinnell. Anybody been up that way?

[DMRyan]

Brooklyn and Colfax aren't quite as large as Eldora, so there may be a few more options on places to get groceries and go out to eat.

I wouldn't worry about the cost of groceries. It's Iowa, and you won't see huge inflation in prices (that isn't caused by some nationwide turn of events) from one rural Iowa locale to the next. The state legislature is pretty much equalizing Iowa's sales tax rate at 6% statewide, to help pay for public schools. Gas might be a few cents higher in isolated rural areas compared to metro areas, but it's not enough to gasp about.

I've driven through all three of the towns you're looking at and Eldora by and large has the best small town feel of the three. You get the feeling that you're in the epitome of an American small town when you're there. Brooklyn and Colfax just didn't seem to have that same draw, and look a little more economically depressed.

[MichaelJG]

"...Eldora by and large has the best small town feel of the three.
That was my feeling based on my impressions during some time I spent in the state in the 80's. The pay is a little better closer to Des Moines, but I would assume the cost of living would be a bit cheaper up north. Interesting info on sales tax and prices. I was leaning towards Eldora becasue of Pine Lake State Park. I wonder if there is housing available? Any ideas how you might track down a place to live on-line in a rural area like that? I'll check the classifieds for prices of vehicles. What I was looking for was the "feel" of the place, and I think you've given me that. Thanks.

[metro223]

Eldora is one of my favorite small towns in Iowa. I love the park, the town square w/ the courthouse, etc. I would definitely recommend it.

As for housing I know there are quite a few nice neighorhoods, ranging from new, to ranches from the 50's and 60's, to old. Maybe check out Yahoo! Real Estate to see what the real estate companies are in the area - and then get in touch with some of them to see what is available.

[MichaelJG]

"check out Yahoo! Real Estate to see what the real estate companies are in the area"
Thanks for the input Metro223. There are some great photos on-line of the courthouse in Eldora and Pine Lake State Park. Also great tip on the realtors! I found realtors that handled the Colfax, Eldora and Brooklyn areas. I had been disappointed with the apartment-finding search engines, because they don't cover small towns. This process is beginning to narrow things down thanks to the tips I've gotten from members of this forum. Another reader suggested Iowa Falls as a nice place to live, and I found a realtor for there as well. I see it is any easy commute to Eldora. Thanks. Any other input from folks making hits on this thread would be greatly appreciated.