Neighborhoods
I have lived here since March 2018, buying a home that had been restored by a friend. I've found the neighbors to be diverse and friendly. It's a neighborhood of hard working
middle to lower income residents as well as a fair number of retirees. Many homes are in the process of restoration and there are people of all ages who walk or use public transportation on a regular basis. Wellington Heights neighborhood watch has been working for over 20 years to improve the area which was once known as the "bad part" of Cedar Rapids. I have had a very limited number of negative interactions and none that were dangerous by any means. In fact there have been a number of occasions where people in the neighborhood have come to my aid or to the aid of my guests without hesitation. I was in a car accident on this block in February 2018 prior to buying the house and several offered to help me until officers arrived, there have also been offers to help with snow shoveling and offers for other kinds of assistance. As I add flowers and decorative plants and yard art to this previously abandoned house I've had many people stop to visit while I was outside tending them, even telling me that they walk down this street just to enjoy the yard.
Wellington Heights
I have lived here since March 2018, buying a home that had been restored by a friend. I've found the neighbors to be diverse and friendly. It's a neighborhood of hard working
middle to lower income residents as well as a fair number of retirees. Many homes are in the process of restoration and there are people of all ages who walk or use public transportation on a regular basis. Wellington Heights neighborhood watch has been working for over 20 years to improve the area which was once known as the "bad part" of Cedar Rapids. I have had a very limited number of negative interactions and none that were dangerous by any means. In fact there have been a number of occasions where people in the neighborhood have come to my aid or to the aid of my guests without hesitation. I was in a car accident on this block in February 2018 prior to buying the house and several offered to help me until officers arrived, there have also been offers to help with snow shoveling and offers for other kinds of assistance. As I add flowers and decorative plants and yard art to this previously abandoned house I've had many people stop to visit while I was outside tending them, even telling me that they walk down this street just to enjoy the yard.
Restaurants/Foodies
Some of my favorite local food spots. Where did you eat? Share your food experiences and I'll add to the list.
Scooter's is a chain coffee shop in Cedar Rapids and this location is new to the area.
Scooter's Coffee
1420 1st Ave SEScooter's is a chain coffee shop in Cedar Rapids and this location is new to the area.
Great local home cooked restaurant, not a chain. Friendly and reasonable. Walking distance to the house.
Mikey's Family Restaurant
1616 1st Avenue NortheastGreat local home cooked restaurant, not a chain. Friendly and reasonable. Walking distance to the house.
Pizza Daddy is awesome and they deliver. Menu available on line and in the house. Open until 4 am.
Pizza Daddy
1539 1st Avenue SoutheastPizza Daddy is awesome and they deliver. Menu available on line and in the house. Open until 4 am.
Multiple locations in Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha. Chicago and other style pizza. Yummo
Tomaso's Pizza
2706 Center Point Rd NEMultiple locations in Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha. Chicago and other style pizza. Yummo
Eggroll House
5504 Blairs Forest Way NEMy favorite Chinese takeout/eat in in town! Family owned restaurant.
Zoey's Pizzeria
690 10th StZoey's pizza is a family owned pizza place in Marion.
Restaurant and Indian grocer in one location. They have a buffet and are the #4 Indian place on my list.
Taj Mahal Cuisine of India
3939 Center Point Rd NERestaurant and Indian grocer in one location. They have a buffet and are the #4 Indian place on my list.
Taste Of India
1060 Old Marion Rd NEIndian cuisine in the Cedar Rapids area.
Mulligan's Pub
1060 Old Marion Rd NEFood and beverages. Relaxed atmosphere.
La Cantina
102 2nd St SEOne of my favorite Mexican places, 3+ locations in Cedar Rapids.
Lighthouse Inn
6905 Mt Vernon Rd SEHigh end restaurant famous for hosting Al Capone.
A laid back atmosphere in the downtown area. Made fresh, reasonably priced and they have at least 6 televisions.
17 locals recommend
Need Pizza
207 2nd Ave SEA laid back atmosphere in the downtown area. Made fresh, reasonably priced and they have at least 6 televisions.
NewBo is an indoor year round market. The surrounding neighborhood has a plethora of brewery's. There are a number of festivals and events here and it's right across the river from Czech Village.
58 locals recommend
NewBo City Market
1100 3rd St SENewBo is an indoor year round market. The surrounding neighborhood has a plethora of brewery's. There are a number of festivals and events here and it's right across the river from Czech Village.
Laundromats
No on site laundry, so if your in the area here are my suggestions. I've used all of them. Clean Laundry is the newest and is walking distance to the house.
Coin Kleen Laundromat 2
220 16th Street NortheastThis laundromat is within walking distance to the house.
Soapy Waters
3937 Center Point Rd NEOptional laundromat if you have a car.
This is my favorite laundromat in the town if you have a car.
Marion Laundromat - Soft Water Laundry Center
369 7th AveThis is my favorite laundromat in the town if you have a car.
Clean Laundry is a new laundromat walking distance to the property. I use their other location in Marion too.
1420 1st Ave NE
1420 1st Avenue NortheastClean Laundry is a new laundromat walking distance to the property. I use their other location in Marion too.
Religious Services
This is a link for the 2 shelters that are across the street from the house. Please check their website for more information.
Mission of Hope Shelter House
211 Park Court SoutheastThis is a link for the 2 shelters that are across the street from the house. Please check their website for more information.
Cedar Hills Community Church
6455 E Avenue NorthwestCedar Hills is my home church.
Cedar Rapids is the location of the first Mosque in the US. Please call them for a tour or more information.
The Mother Mosque of America (Islamic Cultural & Heritage Center)
1335 9th St NWCedar Rapids is the location of the first Mosque in the US. Please call them for a tour or more information.
Parks and Recreation
The historic Brucemore mansion has daily and seasonal tours of the house, carriage house and grounds and often host events such as music on the lawn and the annual balloon glow. Walking distance to the house.
26 locals recommend
Brucemore
2160 Linden Dr SEThe historic Brucemore mansion has daily and seasonal tours of the house, carriage house and grounds and often host events such as music on the lawn and the annual balloon glow. Walking distance to the house.
60 mile trail system for biking, walking or running connecting Iowa City to Waterloo and running through the Cedar Rapids downtown.
McLouds Run Park
60 mile trail system for biking, walking or running connecting Iowa City to Waterloo and running through the Cedar Rapids downtown.
Cedar River Trail
Cedar River TrailWalking, biking and running trail.
Hiking, biking, kayaking and caves to explore. Hosts a raptor center and bird watching.
21 locals recommend
Palisades-Kepler State Park
700 Kepler DrHiking, biking, kayaking and caves to explore. Hosts a raptor center and bird watching.
Squaw Creek park, biking, walking and horseback riding trails, sledding hill in the winter.
Squaw Creek Park
1600 Banner DrSquaw Creek park, biking, walking and horseback riding trails, sledding hill in the winter.
Bird watching room with indoor theater style seating, trail system for bikes, walking and jogging. Green building, community classes and festivals.
15 locals recommend
Indian Creek Nature Center
5300 Otis Rd SEBird watching room with indoor theater style seating, trail system for bikes, walking and jogging. Green building, community classes and festivals.
Walking distance from the house (a long walk), swimming pool and walking trails, picnic areas and a splash pad.
6 locals recommend
Bever Park
2700 Bever Ave SEWalking distance from the house (a long walk), swimming pool and walking trails, picnic areas and a splash pad.
Off leash dog park, rabies certificate required, one day passes available online. Multiple locations in Cedar Rapids. Requires rabies certificate, one day passes available.
K9 Acres Off-Leash Area
5200 Golf Course RdOff leash dog park, rabies certificate required, one day passes available online. Multiple locations in Cedar Rapids. Requires rabies certificate, one day passes available.
Czech Village / New Bohemia Main Street District
208 10th Ave SEThe museum is located in our original library building where I loved to go as a child. Close to the downtown and if your up for it, walking distance from the house.
18 locals recommend
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
410 3rd Ave SEThe museum is located in our original library building where I loved to go as a child. Close to the downtown and if your up for it, walking distance from the house.
This is a large park with swimming in the summer, 1 mile circular walking/running trail, adult exercise stops, pond and playground.
Noelridge Park
This is a large park with swimming in the summer, 1 mile circular walking/running trail, adult exercise stops, pond and playground.
Grocery/ATM/General Store
Local grocers including several specialty which are not coming up in search engines to add - Indian, Asian and Mexican groceries. Aldi (cheap but good quality), Fareway (4 locations, cheaper than Hy-Vee)m Hy-Vee (6 locations, most have organic sections), Yumei (Asian-my favorite), Taj Majal (Indian-attached restaurant and buffet).
We have multiple locations for the stores listed here. This one is closest to the house. Grocery store, Red Box, mail and money services. Cafeteria with limited hours.
11 locals recommend
Hy-Vee
1520 6th St SWWe have multiple locations for the stores listed here. This one is closest to the house. Grocery store, Red Box, mail and money services. Cafeteria with limited hours.