Feedback On Cedar Rapids (Des Moines, Iowa City: crime, university, to live in)

[Juleeann]

I have a possible job opportunity in Cedar Rapids. I currently live in one of the crazy, crowded, hectic NW suburbs of Chicago. I'd like to live in a more laid back, more sane area, but one that still offers some type of culture. According to one website CR is about 54% Democratic so I'm hoping this is some indication that the area is at least somewhat progressive. Can anyone give feedback on CR, especially pertaining to culture and political/social progressiveness?

[CedarRapidsCitizen]

The City of Cedar Rapids is a Great city. Unfortunately the new city manager James Prosser is taking money from critical services (police and fire) as well as many other of the city departments to a point where services and safety will be affected.

If you would like more information please feel free to email me: CedarRapidsCitizen@yahoo.com

[Pearlbob]

Crapids (sorry, that's the UI in me) is pretty close to Iowa City, which is by far the most cultured area of Iowa. It's where the U of I is, and although it's smaller than Des Moines, I think it has more to offer for a city it's size. I would imagine that Cedar Rapids isn't too conservative or backwards, just due to it's location and size. From what I recall though, there was little to do there, but then again I was used to Iowa City.

[gayleinAZ]

Pearl,

I don't live Iowa (yet) but I think every city has something to offer. I've been reading the CR Gazette and by the looks of it CR has a lot less crime than IC. But that's just what I've read on-line in their mutual news paper. I think I like the idea of CR only having one murder or less a year. It's sounds very safe..

[Pearlbob]

I don't know if it's possible to have a lot less crime than IC. It's not like IC is gang-warfare with 100 murders a year. In the years I was there, I never saw, witnessed, or had any "crimes" committed against me or anyone I knew. I'm sure a random husband killed his estranged wife every 10 years or so, but it's the safest city by far that I've ever lived in. The difference in crime between IC and CR is negligible. Unless you consider drunk college students starting fights after the bars close at 2am to be criminal

[DSMGuy]

I don't know that IC is "by far" the most cultured metro in Iowa, Pearlbob. I guess it depends on what you define as cultured. If it is measured by the things generally considered as culture such as museums, symphony orchestra, opera, Broadway plays, music concerts of various kinds, then I'd have to say Des Moines is tops for that definition.

But if cultured is defined by the general lifestyle, and in IC revolves around the university, with its variety of lectures and other events, then Iowa City would get the nod.

Seems fairly even to me if you take it altogether. Maybe there is something in IC I'm overlooking.

[Pearlbob]

I guess I mean literally different cultures. People from all over the world move to IC to go to college, so there are so many different nationalities in town. In addition to the different nationalities of the professors, doctors at UIHC, lab workers, etc. I'm sure DSM has that too, but with IC it's more compact.

I think for it's size, it's extremely cultured compared to other towns it's size in Iowa. More so than CR, for sure. I'd never downplay what DSM has to offer, but it's a bigger city so you just expect it to have more to offer period.

[GayleAZ]

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

I don't know if it's possible to have a lot less crime than IC. It's not like IC is gang-warfare with 100 murders a year. In the years I was there, I never saw, witnessed, or had any "crimes" committed against me or anyone I knew. I'm sure a random husband killed his estranged wife every 10 years or so, but it's the safest city by far that I've ever lived in. The difference in crime between IC and CR is negligible. Unless you consider drunk college students starting fights after the bars close at 2am to be criminal

I'm in Phoenix.. we get a random shooting about 3 times a day, and those are only counting the bodies we FIND. Actually a place with 1 or less killings a year is a SHOCK to my system. My only fear about moving away from AZ is will I be able to assimilate back into non-violent society? Which is funny because it really is a concern for me. Will I be able to meet neighbors, drive at night, let people I just meet into my house, or be able to trust a handyman or worker without the thought of being ripped off or killed? I know it sounds odd if you don't or haven't lived in AZ, NM, or CA.. but being able to TRUST people and live our lives without worrying about being shot in the street is a mental BIG DEAL! Now I wonder if I need therapy? I feel like a con being released back into the REAL world and I'm not sure if it will accept ME!

[scoobagirl]

JuleeAnn -

we visited CR about a year ago on a 3-day business trip and loved the city. Lots of nice restaurants, coffee shops, kind people, and the Czech village has a wonderful restaurant too. You can find the different things to do on the city's website http://www.cedar-rapids.org/

My husband and I thought it would be a nice place to spend more time in - 3 days wasn't enough to see everything we wanted to!

[Pearlbob]

3 people are shot to death at day in Phoenix? I don't believe that for a minute. I think if you believe that the city has that high of a murder rate, yes, you do need therapy. Quickly looking, it was ranked 59th most dangerous last year (NOT bad!) and they had 214 murders through November. Not 3 a day.

Regardless, anywhere in Iowa is safe to live, including CR, IC, DSM, where ever.