Friend moving to Cedar Rapids...which neighborhoods to avoid?

[jstrahn]

Near Coe is not a good area. There is a reason why people refer to the Hy-Vee up the street as Ghetto-Vee.

To the East of there it gets even worse but near Coe is not much better. Not sure where you guys work but if you have a car, commuting shouldn't be a problem from really anywhere. If I were looking at renting, I'd basically cross anything with a SE address off of my list.

Not to say there aren't semi-bad areas in SW, NW or NE but for the most part the really bad part of town is limited to SE addresses.

[valcar]

hello we are moving to cedar rapids in the month of January, I have two girls and I am looking at prairie height school. I would like some info of this school and its surroundings, is it a safe area to rent or buy a home in that area?
thanks for your help.

[smpliving]

Prairie Heights is in the College Community school district which has a good reputation. I know a family whose children go there and they are very pleased with the school. You are close to the community of Ely, which is a very nice family area to live. However, you might want to check out the area to see if it has a pugnant odor (from ADM) during certain parts of the day. I'm not sure if you'd be affected by it as you're across the Interstate from the plant and a bit of a distance.

[jstrahn]

College Community is the most desired school district in the Cedar Rapids area. I'd say followed closely by Marion. It is a good area and there is a lot of new construction over near the schools on the SW side. Kirkwood Community College is also just up the street from the College Community schools and is a highly rated 2 year college.

If I were to pick an area to live in Cedar Rapids, it would be the SW side in College Community school district.

[PrairieHawkMom]

Originally Posted by valcar

hello we are moving to cedar rapids in the month of January, I have two girls and I am looking at prairie height school. I would like some info of this school and its surroundings, is it a safe area to rent or buy a home in that area?
thanks for your help.

Hi there!
I live in the CCSD and my son attends the high school there. As stated, it is the most desirable school district and even had to close down open enrollment as so many people want their kids to attend.
I live in the SW section of CR, which has a large area that is within the district. Fairfax is very popular - a growing bedroom community that has both the older section of town ( very quaint ) and newer developments FILLED with kids and teachers.
Additionally, Walford, Ely and Swisher are within the district as it serves the more rural areas with an extensive bus service.
The only areas I would avoid are along Kirkwood Blvd. Most of that area is rented to college students and this increases the crime rate.
Fairfax has occasional vandalism from bored teens and that is about it. It would be one of my first recommendations.
If a condo is of interest, there is one for sale in my immediate neighborhood. 3 bedroom and very, very nice. Patio, two balconys,walk in closet, 3 bathrooms, open beamed ceilings, clerestory windows. Bus stops just a few feet away for the kids and we border a huge park.
Sincerely, it may be just what you are looking for.
Let me know if there is more specifics you would like. Living here I can give you details, pictures, even crime stats.