Curious what people think. I'm a 37-year-old project manager and With a population of 22,846, Coralville is a small town. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Thoughts? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
1 upvotes
8 Replies
Leo Wright
Can confirm, been here 9 years.
39 upvotes
Pamela S.
yeah no that's not right
33 upvotes
Alexander A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 43, moved here 11 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in North and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Baltimore, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
33 upvotes
Emma W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Minneapolis about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Landon Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Scarlett P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
16 upvotes
portland_joseph
seconding this
11 upvotes
Ian Foster
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Pine Hills area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
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