relocating to black hawk county (Cedar Rapids, Waterloo: housing, rent, travel)

[sawman]

I may be moving to black hawk county near waterloo any advice on what part of the county is better than another for home resale

thanks for your help

[Stevie]

I live in central IA so I'm not the most familiar with the area but I've made several road trips up to Waterloo and have heard many people’s opinions on it.

Waterloo is a dying town. It's like a miniature version of Detroit and much like Detroit relies on their Ford plants Waterloo relies on their John Deere plant. From what I've seen many of the houses are rundown. They have an abandoned meatpacking plant downtown. I'm surprised they didn't build the maximum-security prison there!

I would recommend the sister city of Cedar Falls or one of the suburbs (Elk Run Hts, Hudson, Raymond) but not Waterloo. Cedar Falls would probably be nice. It's home to the University of Northern Iowa so it's probably a more cultured and thriving (not too thriving) area.

[metro223]

Depends on what kind of neighborhood you are interested in.

For a regular newer construction subdivision, look to the southern areas of waterloo and cedar falls, also the western edges of cedar falls. hudson is on the outskirts and has newer areas going up as well.

for living in an older house stick with a nicer area of west side waterloo near the prospect blvd area is a good example of what i'm talking about.

also, beautiful country is all around as well =)

[DMC]

Originally Posted by Stevie

I live in central IA so I'm not the most familiar with the area but I've made several road trips up to Waterloo and have heard many people’s opinions on it.

Waterloo is a dying town. It's like a miniature version of Detroit and much like Detroit relies on their Ford plants Waterloo relies on their John Deere plant. From what I've seen many of the houses are rundown. They have an abandoned meatpacking plant downtown. I'm surprised they didn't build the maximum-security prison there!

I would recommend the sister city of Cedar Falls or one of the suburbs (Elk Run Hts, Hudson, Raymond) but not Waterloo. Cedar Falls would probably be nice. It's home to the University of Northern Iowa so it's probably a more cultured and thriving (not too thriving) area.

I have no choice but to strongly disagree with this person's opinion of Waterloo. The author of this comment, by his/her own admittance, does not live in the area and, as a result, is not the best source of information concerning the topic. For example, Waterloo is not a "dying town". In fact, the downtown area is being revitalized and is beginning to thrive with restaurants, bars, and outdoor festivities (in the summer). There are run-down houses in parts of Waterloo just as there are run down houses, barns, etc. everywhere you go in this country. Some people are poor...it is an unfortunate reality.
The other areas mentioned are, in some cases, nice and have many positive qualities. However, diversity is not one of them. If you wish to be surrounded only by people who look like you, make the same amount of money as you, and think the same way you do, then Waterloo is not the place for you.
As far as the housing market is concerned, the cost of living in Black Hawk county relative to other parts of the country is much lower. In other words, you get just as much, if not more, bang for your buck. There are many houses for sale in Waterloo (and surrounding areas) and they vary in terms of price.

[Stevie]

I guess I went a little too far out there when I wrote my post. I don't know much about Waterloo other than what I've heard or seen. You're right, people who live there probably know it a lot better. I'm sorry if I stepped on toes.

[aduzik]

I lived in CF for five years, and I know home resale values are good there. CF schools are great as well, if that's a concern. There's this weird perception across Iowa that Waterloo is a really tough town. While Waterloo does have a few bad neighborhoods, it's mostly just an average Iowa city. Some of the newer neighborhoods in both cities fetch high high prices (read: more than they're really worth) than the rest of the city. Prospect Blvd. in Waterloo is an absolutely beautiful neighborhood. The area around it has some great older homes as well.

[anniniowa]

Waterloo is NOT dying; it's thriving!! I've lived here all of my life and lived through the 80's and the Deere layoffs when the town was really in trouble. It's really turned around in the last 15 years. Retail is booming, companies are expanding, tourism is on the rise (Lost Island Waterpark, Dan Gable Wrestling Museum, Isle of Capri casino). People are negative about Waterloo because of one reason: diversity. We have a large African-American community, Bosnian refugees have made their home here, and we have a lot of Hispanic residents. People don't want to admit why they really don't like Waterloo...and that is because they are racist! We get labeled as a gang town, full of crime. We are a city of 70,000...any city of our size has those same issues.

[Chien]

Originally Posted by anniniowa

Waterloo is NOT dying; it's thriving!! I've lived here all of my life and lived through the 80's and the Deere layoffs when the town was really in trouble. It's really turned around in the last 15 years. Retail is booming, companies are expanding, tourism is on the rise (Lost Island Waterpark, Dan Gable Wrestling Museum, Isle of Capri casino). People are negative about Waterloo because of one reason: diversity. We have a large African-American community, Bosnian refugees have made their home here, and we have a lot of Hispanic residents. People don't want to admit why they really don't like Waterloo...and that is because they are racist! We get labeled as a gang town, full of crime. We are a city of 70,000...any city of our size has those same issues.

If you look at my name, you'll see I am not likely racist against non-whites
I simply speak of my experiences there.
I was in the thriving downtown area recently. Would that be the porn shops, the bars or the strip club you are referring to?
I think you doth protest too much over a city whose reputation in Iowa is well known.
There is a reason I no longer live there, despite the fact that I had a housing opportunity present itself to me that would have been VERY cost effective.
The distinction between Waterloo and Cedar Falls, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids is apparent.
I would urge anyone considering moving to Waterloo to just take I-380 through the glorious downtown. ( One joke about waterloo is that it is the strangest thing- you have STOPLIGHTS on the interstate! Yes! You MUST STOP while travelling through. We laugh and say it is hopeful of them- if not downright wierd.)

[mrkool]

Originally Posted by anniniowa

People are negative about Waterloo because of one reason: diversity. We have a large African-American community, Bosnian refugees have made their home here, and we have a lot of Hispanic residents. People don't want to admit why they really don't like Waterloo...and that is because they are racist! We get labeled as a gang town, full of crime. We are a city of 70,000...any city of our size has those same issues.

This happens in these forums all the time... someone manages to bring up the issue of race or racism, even when it has absolutely nothing to do with the thread. And it is almost always about white racism against minorities, never against the very real and often under-reported racism by minorities against whites.
Ok all you politically-correct, "tolerant", multiculturalist types... take all your hand-wringing and crying about "racism" to the politics and controversies forum (it's under General US). Give the rest of us a break.

[Yorkie_Mom]

Originally Posted by mrkool

This happens in these forums all the time... someone manages to bring up the issue of race or racism, even when it has absolutely nothing to do with the thread. And it is almost always about white racism against minorities, never against the very real and often under-reported racism by minorities against whites.
Ok all you politically-correct, "tolerant", multiculturalist types... take all your hand-wringing and crying about "racism" to the politics and controversies forum (it's under General US). Give the rest of us a break.

This is not the place for that, this poster is right when saying take it to the politics and controversies forum, if not then I will be deleting your post. Thank you all for listening. Yorkie