There’s a reason people relocate to the Iowa City area. 

Aside from the top-notch educational and research institution and one of the nation’s best health care enterprises, the city offers a variety of arts and cultural events, hiking and biking trails galore, and a mix of independent shops and major retailers, along with local breweries and farm-to-table restaurants. Combine these with a welcoming and safe community, and it’s easy to see why the Iowa City area often is ranked as one of the most livable communities in the nation. 

In summertime, Iowa City sponsors weekly live music downtown, and year-round renowned poets, writers, artists, historians, scientists, and others speak or perform at university or local venues. 

Excellent public schools, comfortable neighborhoods, and a highly educated population mean that Iowa City frequently appears high on “best-place-to-live” rankings in national publications. The nearby countryside, scenic state parks, and the Iowa River provide many opportunities for walking, biking, kayaking, and boating. Twenty miles north is Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s second-largest city, home to the Eastern Iowa Airport and a population of about 120,000. Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, and Minneapolis/St. Paul are within a half-day's driving distance.