Tell me all you know about Ottumwa, IA (Des Moines, Iowa City: relocate, apartments)

[wendyleigh]

i work for a company who provides travelling healthcare professionals to different parts of the country. we are thinking about putting a lady in Ottumwa, IA. It looks pretty rural. Can anyone tell me more about the town? Anything about the apartments or other rentals there? What about things to do? Is it fairly "green" there? Anything you can tell me is great! Thanks!

[IA Boy]

Ottumwa is located in a pretty area-rolling green topography. It is a regional hub, meaning that despite a relatively low population it has shopping and services that serve a large area. The downtown looks like a ghetto. The shopping is on the west side of town. There is a small mall and Target and Super Wal-Mart and K-Mart. Lots of interesting old houses---some beautifully restored, some a little worse for wear. Your dollar goes a long way when buying a home here as opposed to most of the country. Hope this helps.

[nascar9girl]

Although I currently live in West Des Moines, my family still resides in the Oskaloosa and Pella area, which is about a half hour from Ottumwa. What can I say about Ottumwa other than you couldn't pay me enough to live there. The one thing I notice mostly about Ottuwma is how dirty and smelly it is... the river that goes through the city is extremely unattractive. The smells come from the meat-packing plant that not only stinks up the place, but also attracts a lot of undocumented immigrants.

While it is true that Ottumwa is sort of a regional hub, that's not saying a whole lot. Most people from Ottumwa still drive an hour and a half or so to go to Des Moines for most of their major shopping needs. The mall really is a joke - and the chain stores such as Target and KMart are the older-styled retail centers. Thank goodness for the new Super Wal-Mart, I suppose. There IS a nice community college (Indian Hills) that I attended for one year and I can't say enough good things about the school, but as for the rest of the town.... oy.

[Amac]

Originally Posted by wendyleigh

i work for a company who provides travelling healthcare professionals to different parts of the country. we are thinking about putting a lady in Ottumwa, IA. It looks pretty rural. Can anyone tell me more about the town? Anything about the apartments or other rentals there? What about things to do? Is it fairly "green" there? Anything you can tell me is great! Thanks!

Ottumwa is pretty rural. Bout 30,000 or so people, and sort of a "rust belt" feel to it. The southeastern sector of Iowa tends to be a bit more impoverished and Arkansish than the rest of the state.

One thing to consider - Ottumwa is about 90 miles north of Kirksville, MO, southwest of Iowa City, and southwest of Des Moines. All three places have medical schools, Iowa City's being the largest and best known.

[Talmasca]

The "medical" school in Kirksville is an Osteopathic school. Many who don't get into "regular" med school get in here. I have experienced quite a few medical issues (that were dealth with wrong) here at the Kirksville "Medical" college. IOWA city is good.

[wendyleigh]

thanks for the information. the lady i was about to place there didnt end up in Ottumwa, but we might have someone go there in the future. All this info helps!

[CatEyesIA]

Ottumwa has alot to offer for those who wish to relocate to a town that does not have all the hassle that a larger one does. But with several positive attributes.

#1 John Deere manufacturing - which has just been hiring ( for those who wish to work ) And, other smaller businesses.

#2 The BridgeView convention Center - in south Ottumwa

#3 The Beach Waterpark

#4 Check out the site for Ottumwa: http://www.ottumwaiowa.com/

#5 The Greater Ottumwa Park - with year round activities too numerous to mention.

#6 The Ottumwa Regional Health Center, the largest in south eastern Iowa, and northern Missouri.

Yes we do have a smaller mall, a Super K-mart & K-mart Plaza, A Target, JC Penney's, Herbergers, and several others.

Several restaurants, fast food chains that I am sure most of you have heard about.

There is alot to offer, you can get to almost anywhere in 10 mins or less. There are several older homes yes, and some are on the historic register.

The cost of living is so much more less expensive here than in most places. I have lived in larger areas and it wasn't all it is cracked up to be. There is alot to be said for middle america, and smaller communities.

I suggest you visit or try living here, then pass judgement on Ottumwa.

Thank you