The people of Cedar Rapids enjoy a sense of security, a sense of hope and possibility, and a sense of belonging. Cedar Rapids residents are known for working hard to create a quality of life that is often rarely duplicated in other parts of the country.
Cedar Rapids is a regional hub for Eastern Iowa because of its proximity to several of the country’s largest metropolitan areas and major interstate highways. It has direct access to cities in the Midwest like Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Omaha, St. Louis and Kansas City. However, most of the necessities of life are found right in people’s own backyard; great jobs, safe neighborhoods, theaters, museums, schools, symphonies, shopping, sports and recreation. More than 120,000 people live in Cedar Rapids and surrounding towns make Linn County a community of more than 190,000 residents.
Things to do? The Cedar Rapids area offers an abundance of museums, music, theater, dining and historical sites. The African American Historical Museum and National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library are located downtown. In just the past few years, additions to the recreational landscape: a new ice arena, recreation trails, premier soccer complex, a skate park for extreme sports, off-leash dog park, a series of splash pads, new golf courses and a new IMAX Theatre. You can also enjoy car racing at the Hawkeye Downs Speedway and music concerts at the US. Cellular Center.
Iowa has long enjoyed having a reputation of having one of the finest educational systems in America. Coe College and Mount Mercy College are four-year private liberal arts institutions. Hamilton Business and Kirkwood Community College also serve the community. The metropolitan area is served by four independent public school districts, a parochial school system and three private schools. You can also enjoy some great college football just 30 minutes away at the University of Iowa. “Go Hawks!”
