East IC rentals--need opinions por favor! (Burlington, Muscatine: apartments, houses, neighborhoods)

[Sojourner in Iowa]

I'm going to look at housing in the neighborhood between E. Court and Muscatine and then a two flat near Governor and Market in the next couple of days. Are there any bus stops near the E.Court/Muscatine neighborhood that would take me to campus? I'm having a really hard time finding housing because I have a furry, four-legged friend coming with me--even though he's coming with FIVE separate references from professional AND private sources (including the management of my last complex!). When I got an inbox full of "no's" from management companies and an offer for a scary basement apartment circa 1975, I about fell out of my chair (and cried a little). So, I'm hoping these locales will be convenient for a grad student. I'm also looking at a couple of duplexes in Coralville, though I'm not really suburb material.

Also, I've noticed that most of the converted homes in downtown IC--and even many apartments--have no central air just window units. Is this normal? Will a window unit suffice for the upper story of a two-flat in the summer, or will I spontaneously combust!?

[iowegian]

You didn't ask about bus routes for the place at Governor & Market, but I'll tell you in case you don't know, in addition to the N. Dodge route, there is the Free Shuttle that would take you to campus if you are willing to walk 4 blocks to Johnson & Bloomington. Just another option to consider.

At E. Court and Muscatine, I'd guess the Court Hill bus would be your best bet. I know there is a stop at Summit & Burlington, which is not too far away, and there might be one even closer. I can't find a list of IC bus stops anywhere. Here is the IC Transit website with route maps and times: Transit - Bus Schedules

There is a IC Transit tripmaker here, which would have more details on stops but is not instant: Transit - Tripmaker

As for the air conditioning, my sister lived in an old house downtown with window air conditioners and she made it. It might be warm sometimes, but it is doable. Many older homes downtown don't have central air conditioning because they are simply too old.

[Sojourner in Iowa]

Thanks for the extra info! Is either neighborhood good for a grad student, you think?
I will have to call the IC Transit folk and see if there's a map of stops somewhere, because I couldn't find it either.

[iowegian]

Originally Posted by Sojourner in Iowa

Thanks for the extra info! Is either neighborhood good for a grad student, you think?

Yeah, I think you've made some really good choices on neighborhoods. Both of those neighborhoods have a slightly older population and while they have a few students, they are quite a bit calmer than other neighborhoods closer to downtown. They are also quite beautiful, in my opinion anyway. (Summit St. around E. Court has the nicest old houses in town.) I don't think you could go wrong with either of those neighborhoods.

[neanerbean]

Yes both are great. I am partial to Goosetown ( the gov/market flat) because I live there. nice and quiet and you can walk down town you can also get more that one window unit. And for the bus. Rochester goes straight down Market which will be a straight shot to campus. furry frinds are somtimes welcomed just shop around and welcome home