Iowa City: More than you expect in the Midwest
Iowa City is a surprising town...This comes from someone who's visited many towns and cities on three different continents, so I figure that makes me something of an authority on the subject!
I relocated to Iowa City ten years ago and had no idea what to expect. What do you think of when you think of Iowa? I thought of the Gilbert Grape movie and corn fields and that was about it…
It didn't take me long to realize that I was way off base and there's a lot more to Iowa City than that...Of course Iowa City is a college town, so it has the college town atmosphere. The University of Iowa as the largest employer in the area has an enormous influence on the Iowa City way of life. The University is probably the main reason why Iowa City has such a diverse community with so many people from so many different cultures. It’s this diversity that makes Iowa City unique in so many ways.
What impresses me most about Iowa City? I'm going to start by talking about the Arts. It only took a walk through the Ped Mall for me to get a sense of how Art and Culture influence day to day life in Iowa City. Book shops, Theatres, Museums, Art Galleries, oh, and Coffee Shops…Such a small town and so much to offer!
A walk through the Ped Mall is interesting any day of the week, it's even more enjoyable when there's live music and that happens a lot throughout the summer months. Summer this year has been a bit on the wet side to say the least, but that hasn’t stopped Iowa City celebrating the Summer of the Arts / Jazz Festival.
Although Summer of the Arts is not over yet I want to move onto what for me is the highlight of the events taking place this month. It’s the Landlocked Film Festival and runs from August 27 to August 30. It’s a collection of independent films that are screened at different locations in the downtown area.
International Independent Films in Iowa City – Are you impressed? As an independent film lover I am...It ranks up there with the time I saw Richard Thompson performing at a concert at the Ped Mall a couple of years ago...
Midwest – Boring? Think again! Come visit us. Iowa City will surprise you! And when you're here, make your first stop is one of the coffee shops at the Ped Mall...Then you'll know what I'm talking about!
Many thanks to my friend Howard Horan for the use of the photos: HHoran Studio, Iowa City Tel: 319-351-2813
Let's Connect and Get To Know Each Other...
Search for Iowa City Homes for Sale
Selling A Home in Iowa City, Coralville & North Liberty IA
Subscribe to receive regular market reports, info on schools and community updates by email
Please remember that opinions expressed in my blog are just that - opinions - not fact
For legal or accounting advice please consult with a professional
Although the information provided is deemed reliable, it's not guaranteed
Hi Denise ~ I can't remember the Iowa connection in Gilbert Grape which I only saw once but wasn't it Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams who, when asked by one of the baseball players on his field "Is this heaven" says "No it's Iowa." We had friends in Massachuestts who returned to their home state of Iowa so it always made us think of them.
There's nothing like a college town. Almost everywhere I've lived would qualify as one. Iowa City sounds great and this write-up really gives the flavor of the place.
Liz
Hi Liz ~ Yes, I remember Kevin Costner saying that in Field of Dreams now that you mention it. Surprised you don't remember the corn fields in Gilbert Grape.:-) At the time I was a huge Johnny Depp fan, so I guess that's why it left such an impression. (Not so much of a fan these days - I like different, but he's gone overboard with that now!)
You're right there's nothing like a college town! Glad you liked the write up. FYI, I'm volunteering at the Landlocked Film Festival, so I guess I'll have to blog about it again, won't I?
Denise