Economy in Ames and Iowa City? (Cedar Rapids, Ely: job market, law school, university)

[Jay100]

I've been admitted to grad school at both Iowa State and the University of Iowa and I'm just curious about the overall job market or overall economy in both cities.

[jmgg]

Not too long ago Iowa City was recognized as having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. As to employment possibilities, this could be looked at as somewhat of a negative. What it means in comparison to Ames is probably nothing.

Both communities are on the outskirts of the 2 largest cities in Iowa. With that geographic alone, I would guess that employment opportunities within 30 miles of campus for either college would be pretty darn good.

My biggest concern would be, do I want to wake up to an alarm clock in the morning or a rooster?

[Jay100]

Originally Posted by jmgg

Not too long ago Iowa City was recognized as having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. As to employment possibilities, this could be looked at as somewhat of a negative. What it means in comparison to Ames is probably nothing.

Both communities are on the outskirts of the 2 largest cities in Iowa. With that geographic alone, I would guess that employment opportunities within 30 miles of campus for either college would be pretty darn good.

My biggest concern would be, do I want to wake up to an alarm clock in the morning or a rooster?

Much appreciated. By the way, how do people drive to work everyday in the winter? What if I must drive from Iowa City to Cedar Rapids, especially in December? Would that be a problem or is it not advisable?

[iowegian]

Originally Posted by Jay100

Much appreciated. By the way, how do people drive to work everyday in the winter? What if I must drive from Iowa City to Cedar Rapids, especially in December? Would that be a problem or is it not advisable?

Well, it doesn't snow that often. There are a few days every year (if there is a snowstorm or ice) that you aren't going to want to drive anywhere, let alone to Cedar Rapids, and you would have to call in to work. (If school is cancelled, it's probably pretty bad.) However, the vast majority of the time in winter you will be able to get to CR and back without any problems.

Of course, I'd advise that you look in Iowa City first in your job search. It's going to save you a lot of commuting time if you don't have to drive up to CR every day. If you can't find a job in Iowa City though, it wouldn't be terrible. Many people make that commute just fine.

[DSMGuy]

The two cities are very different. Iowa City metro is the fastest growing and increasingly dominant city in its region, while Ames is less growth oriented and a place you don't hear about too much.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by DSMGuy

The two cities are very different. Iowa City metro is the fastest growing and increasingly dominant city in its region, while Ames is less growth oriented and a place you don't hear about too much.

DSM, why do you think it has been far easier for IC to develop into a real classic college town in a way that Ames cannot? Do you think (as I do) that it may well be the original state university with the prestige it carries (i.e. med school, law school) will always trump the land grant university?

In that sense, I suppose that Iowa City/Ames is really just a parallel for Lawrence/Manhattan, Eugene/Corvalis, Boulder/Fort Collins, Ann Arbor/East Lansing*

I actually think East Lansing differs from the others. MSU is so large and includes both law and med schools and is so far away from its original agrarian roots that still hold strong at ISU that East Lansing is far more a complete college town than the others. MSU, in the heavily populated northeast quadrant of the nation, is fudamentally different from ISU, K-St, Ok St, Miss St, Ore St, Colo St, etc.

[JBoughton]

Originally Posted by edsg25

DSM, why do you think it has been far easier for IC to develop into a real classic college town in a way that Ames cannot? Do you think (as I do) that it may well be the original state university with the prestige it carries (i.e. med school, law school) will always trump the land grant university?

In that sense, I suppose that Iowa City/Ames is really just a parallel for Lawrence/Manhattan, Eugene/Corvalis, Boulder/Fort Collins, Ann Arbor/East Lansing*

I actually think East Lansing differs from the others. MSU is so large and includes both law and med schools and is so far away from its original agrarian roots that still hold strong at ISU that East Lansing is far more a complete college town than the others. MSU, in the heavily populated northeast quadrant of the nation, is fudamentally different from ISU, K-St, Ok St, Miss St, Ore St, Colo St, etc.

I grew up in Michigan and went to Michigan State, and I've lived for 27 years in Iowa. Even though MSU is fairly large, it's very much the same sort of parallel as the towns you mention here.

Ames and IC are both very nice. Can't go wrong either way.

[DSMGuy]

DSM, why do you think it has been far easier for IC to develop into a real classic college town in a way that Ames cannot?

From what I've seen, U of I is fully integrated into the city and there is a lot of synergy there between the U and the City. ISU is separate and not an overly impressive campustown area. The zoning appears to be pretty bad. Downtown Ames looks like a city of 7,000.

Also, with DM close by, Ames doesn't get a lot of attention. DM is much larger, the capital, and growing quickly. Iowa City doesn't have to deal with that. It is in the spotlight in E Iowa.

Also, Ames seems to not be really interested in growth, I think they rejected a big regional mall recently. Also, I think the computer was invented there, or that is the claim, and I think they kind of let that one get away. Must not have seen much potential in it.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by JBoughton

I grew up in Michigan and went to Michigan State, and I've lived for 27 years in Iowa. Even though MSU is fairly large, it's very much the same sort of parallel as the towns you mention here.

Ames and IC are both very nice. Can't go wrong either way.

J, I'll agree with you that EL is no A2, but I still found it to be a pretty vibrant college town. And if it's not A2, it isn't Kazoo, MtP, Yspi either.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by DSMGuy

From what I've seen, U of I is fully integrated into the city and there is a lot of synergy there between the U and the City. ISU is separate and not an overly impressive campustown area. The zoning appears to be pretty bad. Downtown Ames looks like a city of 7,000.

Also, with DM close by, Ames doesn't get a lot of attention. DM is much larger, the capital, and growing quickly. Iowa City doesn't have to deal with that. It is in the spotlight in E Iowa.

Also, Ames seems to not be really interested in growth, I think they rejected a big regional mall recently. Also, I think the computer was invented there, or that is the claim, and I think they kind of let that one get away. Must not have seen much potential in it.

Went to Iowa for a year and thought both Iowa and IC were great. Now I hope this doesn't come across as arrogant (since I am a Windy City guy), but do you think that Iowa's incredible connection with metro Chicago (huge part of the student body comes from Chicagoland and real sense of link here in the Chicago area where Iowa is considered to be right on top of where suburban high schools go to college....think of it as our own "Three I league": U of I, UI, and IU), I think Iowa City is DEFINITELY affected by its definingly strong Chicago links.