Iowa Apartments and Homes

The Native Americans who originally inhabited the area that is now Iowa called it "The Beautiful Land." It's a name that still fits with its rolling prairies, rich farmland and gorgeous vistas you may recognize from movies like Field of Dreams and The Bridges of Madison County. If you're looking for apartment rentals surrounded by quiet beauty and simplier lifestyle, the Buckeye State may be your ideal new home.

Iowa is one of the foremost farming states in the US, providing a tenth of the nation's food supply. Corn, soybeans and other crops are grown in the rich soil of its 93,000 farms. Although agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, Iowa has also encouraged the manufacturing and service industries, and it is in these sectors that growth is most apparent. Major industries include food products, non-electrical machinery, electrical equipment, printing and publishing, and fabricated products.

Iowa is consistently rated high on lists of the best places to live in the United States. One reason is its consistently low cost of living, among the 16 lowest states in the nation. High housing standards, larger homes and lower costs and easy access to shopping and recreation mean that residents get more for their money. The state also has the lowest auto insurance premiums in the country, and costs for medical care are among the nation's lowest.

Iowa has been honored with the designation of the second most liveable state and the fourth safest state in the nation. It also has the sixth shortest commute time, leaving residents more time to spend with family and on hobbies. In addition, six metro areas have been recognized as five-star communities: Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs/Omana, Davenport, Des Moines, Iowa City and Waterloo. These are all excellent cities to begin your search for apartments for rent.

Des Moines Apartments As the state capital and with a cost of living 81% lower than the national average, Des Moines retains its charm and history while offering the amenities of a large city. With a population approaching 200,000, it boasts excellent schools, superb public services and an active and friendly community. A strong emphasis on keeping the city clean and safe make it a truly comfortable home, and active neighborhood associations help make this a welcoming community to look for apartments.

Cedar Rapids Apartments With a population of more than 120,000, Cedar Rapids is Iowa's second largest city, providing a wide range of diverse activities for residents. Cultural offering include ethnic festivals, art and history museums, theater, authentically preserved or re-created villages from the past, and one of the oldest and most prestigioius symphony orchestras west of the Mississippi. It's called the "City of Five Seasons" because residents are encouraged to celebrate a "fifth season" as time to enjoy life. Forbes Magazine has ranked it in the top-20 "Best Places to Live," and it's also been named the second most kid-friendly city in the country, which make is an ideal place to explore apartments for rent.

Dubuque The state's oldest city with 57,000 residents, Dubuque has been called Iowa's "Masterpiece on the Mississippi," thanks to the scenic beauty of its architecture and location in the limestone bluffs along the river. There's plenty of culture and entertainment as well, from a symphony orchestra and art museum to riverboat gambling and live theater. You'll experience all four seasons in Dubuque, with summer highs in the 70s and 80s and winter lows dipping down below 20 degrees. In Dubuque, the cost of living for everything from apartment rentals to utilities is quite reasonable; the average monthly rent for two-bedroom apartments is $425. This friendly, low-crime, low-stress area offer the best of natural beauty and smaller city benefits, such as good public transportation, affordable housing, quaint neighbordhoods and safe streets.