My partner and I are thinking about moving to Iowa City (Des Moines: 2010, condo)

[tmat40]

My partner and I live in Indianapolis and want to move to a more progressive smaller city to simi retire - we are both 47 and have been together for 17 yrs. - his first choice would be Portland ME - mine would be New Orleans - but Portland is too far for me and New Orleans is still too messed up - I like what I've read about Iowa City - what concerns me is it seems to be geared toward younger people - and I'm afraid we may get bored there - but I'm shure older people live there and are happy as well - we would like to find an older neighborhood with small bungalows or cottages - our budget for a home would probably be 100.000 to 120.000 - would we be able to find something there like that - we like being involved in our neighborhood - getting to know our neighbors - where we live now we started having street parties - so people could get to know eachother and its always fun - we like jazz music - sports - book stores - going out to eat/coffee - I like landscaping and gardening - having people over for cookouts/parties - we're big dog lovers and have 3 - also I'm wondering what other sports teams people follow besides the Hawkeyes - I would love the Hawkeyes football games - my partner would like the basketball season - but we cannot be Chicago Bears fans - sorry - anyway - thanks for any info

[hawkeye2009]

Iowa City is a young person's town. I grew up mostly there, but when to college, med school and residency there. I liked it as a kid, but it gets old after a while. There are plenty of plays through Hancher and EC Mabie (when they get them up and running after the flood) and Hawkeye sports. The east side is mostly working families and the west is mostly people who work at the U. I really liked Iowa City, but was ready to leave there when training was completed, as it is a younger person's town. Des Moines is probably a better town for someone in your (and my) age group, but if college kids don't bother you and you like college sports, Iowa City is a great place.

[iowegian]

To be honest, 100k-120k is not going to get you a very nice home in this area, unless you want a condo. You may be able to get a very small, unupdated bungalow on the southeast side of town. However, I would caution you to avoid the area south of Highway 6 and east of Gilbert, out to Heinz Rd. (The rest of the city is fine, except for you I'd avoid S. Johnson St. as it's basically all drunk students...) Anyway, Iowa City is not that cheap, it's actually one of the most expensive places in Iowa to live. I think it's worth it for the amenities we have but that's up to you to decide.

For jazz, we are arguably one of the best places in the Midwest. Tons of free jazz in the summer with the Jazz Festival and various jazz concerts throughout the year. The rest of the things you listed are things you can definitely be involved in in Iowa City. Yes, many activities are geared toward students, but there is still a community here when the students leave each summer.

As for sports teams, none in particular. The Hawkeyes are a big deal. Otherwise you can basically like any teams you want.

[scimitar12]

The university is the only reason why Iowa City exists. That's not bad, but the town is geared for younger people. Housing is quite expensive (for Iowa); not sure what 100k - 120K will get you; probably nothing special. If you are looking for things beyond what a college or university brings to a smaller town I would look elsewhere.

[jmgg]

I would consider Cedar Rapids OUTSIDE of the flood zone. Big city amenities and only 20 miles from Iowa City for jazz and sports.

[tmat40]

We were talking last night about uping our budget for a home to get what we want - I appreciate the info!

[niceguy19125]

Originally Posted by tmat40

My partner and I live in Indianapolis and want to move to a more progressive smaller city to simi retire - we are both 47 and have been together for 17 yrs. - his first choice would be Portland ME - mine would be New Orleans - but Portland is too far for me and New Orleans is still too messed up - I like what I've read about Iowa City - what concerns me is it seems to be geared toward younger people - and I'm afraid we may get bored there - but I'm shure older people live there and are happy as well - we would like to find an older neighborhood with small bungalows or cottages - our budget for a home would probably be 100.000 to 120.000 - would we be able to find something there like that - we like being involved in our neighborhood - getting to know our neighbors - where we live now we started having street parties - so people could get to know eachother and its always fun - we like jazz music - sports - book stores - going out to eat/coffee - I like landscaping and gardening - having people over for cookouts/parties - we're big dog lovers and have 3 - also I'm wondering what other sports teams people follow besides the Hawkeyes - I would love the Hawkeyes football games - my partner would like the basketball season - but we cannot be Chicago Bears fans - sorry - anyway - thanks for any info

Hi guys,

I'm a 49yo gay male going through a similar process, moving from a large city (Philadelphia) and I'm looking for a smaller progressive town/city too. I had considered Iowa City also, but discovered housing outside of a condo to be too expensive. Homes that were affordable were too far from town to be considered "progressive". My wants mirror yours in terms of interests, and I've stumbled across Athens, Georgia.

Athens is the home of the University of Georgia and is a surprisingly very cultured and progressive town of 112,000. It's Iowa City-like in terms of offerings and home prices fit your budget. Atlanta is about an hours drive away, so it's also quite connected to a metro area without being caught up in the hustle bustle.

Athens, Georgia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://gayinathens.com/resources/relocation/
http://www.visitathensga.com/all_about_athens/

Check it out and good luck!

[tmat40]

Athens sounds cool - home of the B-52's so you know it's cool - our delima is we wanted to move someplace where we would have equal rights - so the choices are limited - we may have to live outside an area - some of the places we thought about are Columbus, Ohio - Louisville, Kentucky - Ashville, North Carolina - I would like to be within 6-8 hrs drive to see my family - not really an issue for my partner - I'll check out Athens - thanks and good luck to you as well - you should check out Louisville, KY - look up the Highlands Neighborhood - it's cool - take care!

[chalcedony]

Not sure where you got some of those cities you listed as being more desirable than Indianapolis, but I should warn you in particular that New Orleans, as great as it is in some regards, can scarcely claim to have governance that is "progressive" (I hate that word btw). It sounds like you might enjoy the gay scene there, which seems large and prosperous from my observations having lived there, but it's more just because of its cultural history that New Orleans has that scene than any real progressive legislation. The neighborhoods along the river of New Orleans (the "sliver by the river") are the source of any bohemian flair, but the metro area as a whole is basically pretty conservative. It's kind of the same impression I get from Louisville, with a great neighborhood (Highlands that you mentioned) but otherwise nothing remarkable. I love New Orleans, but would not recommend it to people seeking a liberal southern town like Austin--the boho culture is overwhelmed by the corrupt old-boy network so it scarcely drives the spirit of the town. For what you've mentioned, Asheville NC seems the best bet of the places you've listed. Columbus OH and Louisville KY I think will generally have the same culture as Indy once you've lived there, plus they're about the same size as Indy, so again, for a smaller city, Asheville NC seems a good bet. Or Athens GA, as someone else mentioned.

[Chicago60614]

Honestly I've read in multiple places that Iowa City always ranks right near the top as far as small-medium size cities for people to retire. They have an extremely active Senior Center and lots of activities.

There might be the 30,000 college students who steal the attention and drive the city around its core, but there are still PLENTY of options for everyone else.

My parents are both 60, and they are always active in and around Iowa City. The University provides a lot of cultural activities that the residents can take advantage of. It's not all just about the students.

It also has one of the longest lifespans in the country! Average person lives past 80 years.

http://www.ideal-places-to-retire.co...and-music.html

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/money...005/index.html

http://www.topretirements.com/review...Iowa_City.html

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/...oneymag/9.html