Grinnell vs. Newton (Des Moines, Davenport, Iowa City: to rent, hotels, buying a house)

[primalclaws1974]

I'm curious what people think of these two towns. They are neighbors, being only 18 miles apart. Newton is a little bigger at around 15,000 people and Grinnell is around 10,000.
We will start with the pros:
Both cities are right on the Interstate 80. Both cities have a supercenter wal-mart (both close to the Interstate). Both are large enough where your neighbors don't know your business, yet small enough that their isn't much crime. Numerous chain hotels at both locations.

Grinnell:
Grinnell College, which has been there since 1846 and is a major plus for employment and finances to the city. It really puts Grinnell on the map.
4 grocery stores (which is a lot for a town that size). 10-15 factories that employ thousands of people. Lots of construction happening in Grinnell; a new library and plans in the works for a new fire/police station and water park, as well as continuing improvements in the college. Numerous parks. Community college branch from Marshalltown. Nice-sized hospital and depts you wouldn't normally find in a town this size. Three senior homes that have substantially added to the town's size.

Newton:
Community college branch from DMACC. Nice-sized hospital for a town that size. Iowa Speedway built on the Interstate a few years back. Cheap to rent or build a house or business. Close to Des Moines (30 miles). Two exits to Newton, making for easier access to the town. The only drive-in in Iowa that I know still exists.

Cons:
Grinnell:
Grinnell land is so expensive that many businesses don't build there, not enough resturant diversity. Many empty lots available. 51 miles to Des Moines, 65 to Iowa City. One interstate exit.

Newton:
Maytag closed, thousands of jobs lost. Speedway and turbine factory are not enough to replace these jobs. Not as much cultural diversity as Grinnell. Old, outdated city park system.


Your opinions?

[Luke9686]

Both nice, small towns. The land is probably so expensive because of the quality of the land.

Great little towns. I remember stopping at the Mcdonalds in Grinnell as a young child, on our way to Davenport. I don't remember much about it, but I do remember it being a unique Mcdonalds.

[primalclaws1974]

Thanks for responding, but McDonalds is in the heart of Grinnell (about 3 miles off the interstate) and has only been there about ten years.

[Roy G. Biv]

Did the maytag plant in Newton have "thousands of jobs"? I thought it was about 600 workers that lost their job when the factory closed from what I read in the news.

All I know about Grinnell is that I applied at the high school and the principal mentioned that the Athletics Director sits in on the interviews--which is a sign that it is the sort of school that is dominated by sports interests over academic interests (aka hire the person who can also coach rather than the person who is the best teacher). I canceled the interview because thats the sort of small town school I was leaving.

[primalclaws1974]

In response, I recently saw a news coverage, and it said 1,800 jobs lost. So almost 2,000, maybe not "thousands" but much more than 600. Their economy is trying to recover, but hasn't quite made it yet.
I am from Grinnell, and I find that story about your interview interesting. We do have high standards for education here, but that doesn't surprise me. I would imagine most schools highly value sports. Why didn't you try either colleges for a job? Grinnell College has A LOT of money.

[concretegold]

I live in Newton and I love it, grinnell is just too old world east to me, like a washington d.c. wanna be. I just could not feel at home there. My daughter loves her school, I personally like the parks, my kids love to play at them too, when everything looks new how can a place have an established look? It also took them about 6-7 years to finish laying off all 2,600 workers (whirlpool did call back 50 engineers and such, they work at an old car dealership near walmart or did anyways) People ARE in your business alot, but that is not such a bad thing, then there is always someone watching out for home and stuff when you aren't there. This is the first place I have felt like I was home, enough that after never buying a house I bought 2.

[primalclaws1974]

Originally Posted by concretegold

I live in Newton and I love it, grinnell is just too old world east to me, like a washington d.c. wanna be. I just could not feel at home there. My daughter loves her school, I personally like the parks, my kids love to play at them too, when everything looks new how can a place have an established look? It also took them about 6-7 years to finish laying off all 2,600 workers (whirlpool did call back 50 engineers and such, they work at an old car dealership near walmart or did anyways) People ARE in your business alot, but that is not such a bad thing, then there is always someone watching out for home and stuff when you aren't there. This is the first place I have felt like I was home, enough that after never buying a house I bought 2.

Not sure what you mean by Washington D.C. wanna be. It's a college town with considerable money, but not exactly Beverly Hills, you know? somewhat isolated, but self-sufficent. I think it has more history than Newton, (besides Maytag of course, but they lost that) and that the people are more proud of it.
Newton is slightly bigger than Grinnell, and I would think it would be similar ( I don;t even know most of my neighbors). Maybe you just have nosy neighbors? LOL!
With the recent addition of (depends who you ask) 100-300 more jobs with the turbine plant, they are going well to recover from the loss of Maytag, but I am sure the factory workers are heading to grinnell and Pella and Marshalltown to make up the difference.

[froggin4colorado]

My aunt lived in Grinnell for years, I worked there for a summer back in 1994 while I was senior in HS. She owned the Best Western before she passed away. I also worked at Sumner Photography that summer. I thought Grinnell was a quaint, nice town with a beautiful small college.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Anyone know if the stadium seating manufacture and the sport clothing company are still in Grinnell? I lived there in the mid 1980's for a short time.

[primalclaws1974]

Your aunt must have been married to Reggie Campbell.