Need Iowan's Input (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City: environment, transplants, apartments)

[GayleAZ]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

I forgot the Art Festival
http://tinyurl.com/2d9sdr

There is also an Art Center
http://tinyurl.com/ytnpex

Science Center
http://tinyurl.com/yqq3t7

Botanical Center
http://tinyurl.com/yp8yru

You're too funny.... but informative!

[patmc]

IF you're interested in considering smaller Iowa communities you might want to ask for opinions on www.AmesTalk.com.

I can't imagine a more relaxing and welcoming retirement than in a small Iowa town.

[Tek_Freek]

I am an Iowa native and when I retire I'm leaving...

You can fill my slot in the census.

[gayleinAZ]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

I am an Iowa native and when I retire I'm leaving...

You can fill my slot in the census.

Not a problem.. you can fill my place here but first pack sun screen (it will be 118 by July) learn Spanish (because we are rapidly annexing to Mexico and they WON) a gun (so you can shoot back on the freeways) and plenty of cash. My water bill came yesterday an it was $200 for a one person household. I guess someone fianlly caught on that 6M people in a desert are going to conserve water one way or the other... but that bill pales in compareson to my at least $300 a month electric bill...! So if you decide to come to AZ to retire.. at least you can say you were for warned!

[galove]

Flying into Moline, IL on Air Tran can be a very economical route. Moline is about 45 mins from Iowa City. Check Iowa City out. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics are there as well as all of the other things that you mentioned. It's a very nice college town, clean and safe.

[wingit]

Gayle,
If you think humidity is an issue for you, then you may want to reconsider moving to Iowa. When it's 90+ degrees here with 100% humidity it is pretty uncomfortable. Also if you were to move here, you might think about a condo instead of owning a home. Shoveling snow can be a real chore at times, although where I'm at, we haven't had a really major storm for a very long time, but it is Iowa and that can change minute by minute lol.. You did say you were in your fifties didn't you? I know I'm in my mid forties, and it gets harder every year to "like" winter. lol At least with a condo someone else will take care of the lawn/snow duties for you.

I'm in eastern Iowa, right on the Mississippi. While I have been all over Iowa, I will say at least for me, I like the southeast part of the state the best. Someone told you to check out West Branch, nice little town, as are many near the Iowa City area. If you like small town living without all the hustle and bustle of the big city, I'm sure there are plenty of places in Iowa that would suit you. Just as long as you can put up with some pretty thick (humid)air during the summer.

[GayleAZ]

Originally Posted by galove

Flying into Moline, IL on Air Tran can be a very economical route. Moline is about 45 mins from Iowa City. Check Iowa City out. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics are there as well as all of the other things that you mentioned. It's a very nice college town, clean and safe.

I've explored that route. It seems the most sane way to go to eastern Iowa. And I still think KC is the easiest to the western part of the state. Now if someone would propose a BIG airport with great fares in the center of the state I think everyone would benefit!

I'll look up Tran air.

[GayleAZ]

Originally Posted by wingit

Gayle,
If you think humidity is an issue for you, then you may want to reconsider moving to Iowa. When it's 90+ degrees here with 100% humidity it is pretty uncomfortable. Also if you were to move here, you might think about a condo instead of owning a home. Shoveling snow can be a real chore at times, although where I'm at, we haven't had a really major storm for a very long time, but it is Iowa and that can change minute by minute lol.. You did say you were in your fifties didn't you? I know I'm in my mid forties, and it gets harder every year to "like" winter. lol At least with a condo someone else will take care of the lawn/snow duties for you.

I'm in eastern Iowa, right on the Mississippi. While I have been all over Iowa, I will say at least for me, I like the southeast part of the state the best. Someone told you to check out West Branch, nice little town, as are many near the Iowa City area. If you like small town living without all the hustle and bustle of the big city, I'm sure there are plenty of places in Iowa that would suit you. Just as long as you can put up with some pretty thick (humid)air during the summer.

Well if you want humidity come to Phx in July and Aug when the temp is 118 and the humidity is pretty damn close to the same. Dry heat my @@@!
Actually I'm sitting here typing away with my itchy dry skin in almost 105 degree heat thinking anything is better than this. There is not enough lotion in the world to make skin in AZ look like untanned hide in the summer, and I'd don't even go outside if I don't have to.

I was leaning toward the eastern part of the state. I'm sure Ames etc are great areas but I've actually had experience with eastern Iowa - so at least I have a bit of a clue. I'm prefectly FINE with small towns. I relish small towns, they are or were the life's blood of the nation not so long ago and up until about 15 years ago I still lived in a the small town of Phx vs the sprawl, dirt and crime that has now invade the same area. I guess you can take the girl out of the small town, but you can't thrust the BIG CITY around the girl and make her LIKE IT! Anyway - I digress and if you read my threads this is a major pet peeve.

I was thinking townhouse / condo too, but I'm a bit of a home remodeler / renovator sometimes and I like doing what I want to do with my property and I'm thinking I'm not HOA material, especially when I get out the skill saw and the drill. rolleyes:

So - I am planning a trip to Iowa in July (I'm sure I'll get a taste of humidity then) and I think the easiest thing to do is to fly to either KC and go through DM and head east or fly to Moline and head west. Regardless I'll make a loop and see what I can see of Iowa on my journey. AND I do appreciate all of you Iowans who have read my posts and offered information. No lack of midwestern hospitality and helpfullness here!

[Tek_Freek]

Not a problem.. you can fill my place here

No thanks! I spent a year in Phoenix. That was about 364 days longer than I wanted to, and I hear it's worse now.

Tennessee bound more than likely...

[gayleinAZ]

That sounds like fun too... Dollywood?


Try living in Phx 40 years - I still wonder how I keep from putting a gun to my head.. I guess I'm kept too busy trying to keep someone else from doing it first..