Moving to Washington area (Cedar Rapids, Iowa City: housing, rental, salary)

[Sandsdream]

HI... We are looking to move to the Washington, IA area and would like to get some leads on housing rentals...perferrably ones that allow a pet (cat). We are moving from Virginia no later than March 9th so time is short. If anyone has any leads...they are greatly appreciated. Also if anyone knows rather or not there are very many, if any computer repair businesses in or around the Washington area. My boyfriend is certified in computer science and network administration and we would love to establish a good business there as well.

Thanks...Deb

[jeffs]

My grandparents were from washington. I have been there many times. Its a good place to live if you like the smaller laid back type of town. Kind of small for my tastes, but some people would like it. I'm in davenport, where crime, gangs, and drugs are taking over, so it might be a nice change of pace. As far a jobs go im not sure. The newspaper there is called the Washington Journal, im sure they have a website with classified ads that would list jobs, and housing markets.

[djam karet]

Hi, grew up in Washington, and lived there until I was about 23. parents still live in the area. It used to be a thriving factory and farming town, but the town really took a downhill turn in the mid-late 90s and early 2000s. A lot of factories closed, the largest employers, including Crane, Modine, (I think it is still open, but not a major player anymore), and McCleery Cumming, or the Calendar Factory, (worked there 6 yrs. myself).
Now-a-days many people commute to Iowa City for work. They are building a biodeisel plant there, and an indian casino opened up 7 miles away near Ainsworth.
Excellent schools, good hospital, nice people, some really beautiful houses. I really used to be adverse to Washington, despised it, but after living in North Carolina for 7 years I relish those memories when people were nice, schools didn't suck, and I felt like I wasn't an outsider. If you can make money, it's an alright place to live.
I can give you more specifics if you need to know.

[nicodemuskun]

Originally Posted by djam karet

They are building a biodeisel plant there, and an indian casino opened up 7 miles away near Ainsworth.

djam was correct in that the two newest businesses are the biodeisel plant (due to open in June of this year), and the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort (which is not Indian owned, actually). I would suggest checking with these two businesses first to see if they need someone with computer science background. Otherwise, I'd look into opening a small computer repair business, or perhaps commuting to Iowa City.

As for house/apartment renting (if you're still looking), I'd check this site (sorry for the long link):

http://www.zwire.com/site/tab1.cfm?M...ordsPerPage=10

As the title suggests, feel free to email me with any questions: nicodemuskun@graffiti.net.

[ricobass]

Washington is on the rebound-
True-the loss of manufacturing due to trade agreements and changes in market had hurt many rural Iowa cities-we are on the mend!
What's Happening?

How about JOBS?-A new manufacturing facility, Whitesell Wireform Division, and the Bio Desile Facility-a new Wall-Mart SuperCenter 2008-New Hospital-New Downtown Project 2008 with plazas, paving and remilled streets.

Schools received additions this year- We have k through 12 schools, an historic High School building that is being considered for renovation ugrade-and Lincoln and Stewart schools received new additions to provide space.
The JR High is on a large tract of land-lots of room!! The teachers are great and along with the Public Schools, there is also Saint James School.

ENTERTAINMENT- A state of the art Community Center for theater/ concerts-A large screen-comfortable seat movie theater-Car shows-farmers market-school sporting events and student plays and voice/musicals.
Noted artists live in the area, Folk singer Greg Brown, Bo Ramsey-always places to see live music-restaraunts-and Washington has a new Italian restaraunt, Do dece's, that has received critical acclaim from Chicago news articles!

CITY PROMOTES SAFETY AND DEVELOPMENT-The proposed new Library on the Square Nov6 ballot referendum-small asking.
We have many small bussiness-Parks-an excellent Police Department-City Services-a proposed Wellness Park in development stage-Mayor /Council form of Government-lots of citizens involved-many service groups like the Lions, Rotary, Kwanis etc.

Senior Citizens-Washington is a place to retire in peace-Many facilities that provide excellent housing-cotteges to single rooms-medical facilities nearby-pharmacy-Parks to exercise-people to meet-groups to join.

We are 30 minutes from the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics-a major health facility-Mercy Hospital, University of Iowa, 3 hrs away from Iowa State University, 1.5 from University of Northern Iowa, 1 hor from Kirkwood Community College and Indian Hills Community College.

Medical careers booming-a few years of schooling and nurses can get 50 K/yr-with our cost of living-a nice salary indeed. 2 yrs of Tech college can get you a variety of jobs-here or in nearby Iowa City or Cedar Rapids.

Tired of the bustle-Do you want a safe place to live and raise your family-want grocery stores near by and a place to practice your faith on Sunday? How about safe clean and large parks for the children to play? Washington is the place for you.


Please visit our new city website
www.washingtoniowa.net