Some of our standout favorite things about Cedar Rapids is the growing foodie scene, the biking and trail system, and having a hybrid of both country-life and city-life.
In 2021, Insurify named Cedar Rapids as “Iowa’s Best City for Young Families,” and several websites state that the cost of living as significantly lower than the rest of the US (about 20%). We know that moving can be scary and stressful, so hopefully this guide can help you along the way.
Locating Where You’ll Live
According to realtor.com, the median home price in CR in 2023 was right around $175K. If you’re looking to rent, a 3 bedroom should cost you around $1,200 a month. CR has more than 18 neighborhoods to choose from. The crime rates here are lower than national averages, but to help you narrow down which part of CR you want to be in, here is a link to a crime map and statistics page.
Finding a School
There are several public and private schools to choose from in the CR area, so finding one shouldn’t be a problem. CRSD area schools have really good teacher to student ratios. A good resource to review things like school size, diversity, and test scores is here.
Choosing where to Receive Medical Care
CR has two major hospitals; Unity Point Health – St. Luke’s and Mercy Medical Center. St. Luke’s has the only Level III Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and is a nationally recognized leader in heart care. Mercy is a Catholic hospital and works with communities to provide rural healthcare in addition to urban CR. Both hospitals have 24 hour Emergency Rooms.
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Unity Point St. Luke’s Hospital, 1026 A Ave NE, 319-369-7105
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Mercy Hospital, 701 10th Street SE, 319-398-6041
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To help you choose a new pediatrician, see our Cedar Rapids Pediatric Care Guide.
Preparing
You’ll get to enjoy all four seasons here in Eastern Iowa. We have an average of 200 sunny days a year and we average about 28 inches of snow per year. You’ll need snow boots and swimsuits, and we love that about living here! CR has a population of 136,467 people. Most people own their homes and drive their own vehicles, but traffic isn’t an issue. The unemployment rate here is generally low. You can review those averages here.
Becoming a Local
Some of our local family favorites include the Park’s Department’s public pools. We love our local libraries, exploring the vast trail system on our bicycles, and attending local experiences like live music at Newbo City Market.
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