Cedar Falls and Waterloo (Des Moines, Hudson: housing, jobs, health)

[jack7y]

I am thinking about moving to Cedar Falls or Waterloo. I am familiar with much of Iowa, but I am not familiar with this area. I have only visited Cedar Falls once. Are there any organic food stores there not including HyVee's health markets? Do you know the names of, information about, or locations of any older middle class neighborhoods with character? There is a John Deere plant, city jobs, and service jobs, though if you know any other jobs or niches big or small I'd like to hear what they are. Thanks

[Chien]

Originally Posted by jack7y

I am thinking about moving to Cedar Falls or Waterloo. I am familiar with much of Iowa, but I am not familiar with this area. I have only visited Cedar Falls once. Are there any organic food stores there not including HyVee's health markets? Do you know the names of, information about, or locations of any older middle class neighborhoods with character? There is a John Deere plant, city jobs, and service jobs, though if you know any other jobs or niches big or small I'd like to hear what they are. Thanks

Cedar Falls is a very nice college town. It has some of the [ in my opinion ) dreadful all-houses-look-alike newer sections, but if you get over towards the campus area, and beyond theres some nice areas. Obviously campus housing leaves a bit to be desired, but streets such as Tremont, Walnut, etc. - that region on the map- are lovely houses with big broad porches, old growth trees and a real "our Town" feeling.
The area around the UNI dome, although close to campus, is a nice community. Theres very few areas of CF I would NOT comfortably recommend. I would only say that the aforementioned places have the character you speak of.
One area is in walking distance of the campus, including the bookstores, cafes, the Hearst Center for the Arts, and the Farmers Market. The area closer to The UNI dome and " downtown" CF is walking distance to a charming zone known as the parkade, with a variety of shops, the library, cafes and so on.
CR caters to college kids, professors, and professionals. They offer a lot of cultural , artistic, family friendly and eco friendly places and activities.
Waterloo is where I grew up and lived most of my life. It is pretty depressing with a rather distinct poverty/wealthy split, no real middle class with each passing year, and not a good feel to the downtown whatsoever.
Run any streets, neighborhoods past me for an overview if you'd like. We lived there, visit often ,and still have family there.

[aduzik]

Jack7y --

I lived in Cedar Falls for five years (3 years of college + 2 years working there) Cedar Falls has, in my opinion, the best organic market in Iowa. Check out Roots on Main St. Their food is soooo yummy. Also, there's a family in Hudson that sells farm-fresh milk at HyVee and Fareway -- look for Hansen's milk. I moved to Des Moines a few months ago, and those are two things I miss more than just about anything.

I agree with Chien that the area near campus has some gorgeous old homes. The area around Seerley Blvd (but not on Seerley -- mostly college students) is beautiful. For entertainment, check out the downtown parkade -- Main St. between first and sixth, mostly. Best small-town shops anywhere. Make sure to get a cup of coffee at Cup of Joe, too -- my old stomping grounds (haha)

[mrsb24]

Roots is a fantastic store...all of downtown cedar fall is absolutely beautiful, a little store called vintage iron was one of my favorites when i lived there. and yes cup of joe! the day i got my marriage license we celebrate at joes!