Dubuque, Burlington or other? (apartment, rental, crime rate)

[foggywx]

I am looking to relocate in a far eastern Iowa town with some hills, bluffs, and woods nearby. I am a birder and nature lover in general. I love temps in the 50s-70s, rain more than snow. I am very attracted to Dubuque, but thought i might get something of the terrain without quite the winter cold in Burlington? Divorced man with half a dozen cats looking for a rental house or rent-to-own home on the cheaper side that would allow my babies. Will need a job in restaurant management, nursing home dietary, or the like. As a night owl, i would like to be able to walk a few blocks to the local convenience store at any hour without risking life and limb. I would greatly appreciate comments especially on these two cities, but also others that might be my cup o tea.
Many thanks!

[Nobodybody]

Originally Posted by foggywx

I am looking to relocate in a far eastern Iowa town with some hills, bluffs, and woods nearby. I am a birder and nature lover in general. I love temps in the 50s-70s, rain more than snow. I am very attracted to Dubuque, but thought i might get something of the terrain without quite the winter cold in Burlington? Divorced man with half a dozen cats looking for a rental house or rent-to-own home on the cheaper side that would allow my babies. Will need a job in restaurant management, nursing home dietary, or the like. As a night owl, i would like to be able to walk a few blocks to the local convenience store at any hour without risking life and limb. I would greatly appreciate comments especially on these two cities, but also others that might be my cup o tea.
Many thanks!

Where are you coming from, and what are you hoping to find in your Eastern Iowa town - culturally or otherwise? As an immediate response, significant crime spikes in Burlington raise conern about walking a few blocks to the local convenience store - but as any populated area has - there are fairly safe and not-so-safe areas depending on what part of town you are in.

[foggywx]

As stated, i would be looking for a job, relatively cheap rent in an apartment/house that has no issues with pets, and safety. I love nature photography so nice, uncrowded parks or an arboretum would be a plus, but also interested in areas outside town but close by such as state parks, wildlife preserves, etc with a varitey of geography. In this respect Burlington looks similar to Dubuque but perhaps with a bit milder winters? The crime rate does concern me, but is there a source where one can see how it is now as opposed to 2-3 years ago as shown on city-data? Lived in many places in the us; currently in the "desert" of western Oklahoma. Love spring, fall, and the mild winters, but 6-8 months of oppressive heat are getting harder every year.