Affordable Cedar Rapids Storage Units

Moving and storage go hand in hand. Whether traveling across town or the country, moving is an exciting and fresh start. While Storage Rentals of America is here to help you with all your storage needs, we also want to help you get familiar with the area. That's why we put together this resource guide for Cedar Rapids.

About Cedar Rapids

Located in Eastern Iowa, Cedar Rapids is a small-mid-sized city that is the county seat of Linn County. It's also the second-largest city in Iowa, home to around 133,000 people. Though the surrounding countryside is highly agricultural, Cedar Rapids is known largely as a manufacturing city. It's also known for its beautiful scenery along the Cedar River.

Cedar Rapids was first settled in the 1830s and grew rapidly during the 19th century. It was settled during that time by an influx of Czech and Slovak immigrants, whose culture and heritage are still very much a part of life in Cedar Rapids.

What to do in Cedar Rapids, IA

From museums and cultural sites to parks and outdoor attractions, there's always something to see and do in the Cedar Rapids area! Some of the top things to do in Cedar Rapids include:

• Museums in Cedar Rapids: The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art is one of the premier art museums in Iowa. Cedar Rapids is also home to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, which is dedicated to Czech and Slovak history and culture, reflecting the great number of Czech and Slovak immigrants who settled in the Cedar Rapids area.
• Cedar River Trail: Stretching 12.6 miles near the banks of its namesake river, the Cedar River Trail offers great scenery in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding countryside. The trail is paved, well-marked, and mostly flat, making it great for walking, jogging, or bike riding.
• Summer Festivals: Numerous festivals and events are held in Cedar Rapids every year, especially during the summer months. The annual Houby Days festival in Czech Village, and the Juneteenth celebration at NewBo City Market, are highlights of the summer calendar, along with the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, which spans three weeks in June and July.

Working in Cedar Rapids, IA

The job market in Cedar Rapids includes a wide range of what are traditionally considered to be blue-collar and white-collar professions. Recent job growth has been positive, and the unemployment rate (5.9%) is comparable to the U.S. Over 32% of adults in Cedar Rapids have a bachelor's degree or higher, significantly more than the national average.

Manufacturing is the leading occupation in Cedar Rapids (the top manufacturing companies in Cedar Rapids include Maytag, Gazette, PMX Industries, and Cargill, Inc.). After manufacturing, the most common occupations are retail trade, health care and social assistance, and educational services.

Cedar Rapids, IA Neighborhoods

Though Cedar Rapids is a small-mid-sized city based on population, it spans a fairly large area of just over 72 square miles. Within that area are many distinct neighborhoods, each with its unique character. Some of the most popular places to live in Cedar Rapids include:

• Oakhill Jackson: One of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, Oakhill Jackson lies along the Cedar River near the downtown center of Cedar Rapids. Real estate here is a mix of new developments built since 2000 and older homes that date from before 1940. The median real estate price is $209,000.
• Taylor: Located across the river from Oakhill Jackson, the Taylor neighborhood is a historic area that includes the Czech Village and New Bohemia. Home to some of the best shopping and dining options in Cedar Rapids, this neighborhood also includes many homes built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The median real estate pace is about $144,000.
• Northwest Area: A mostly-residential neighborhood with a suburban, family-friendly atmosphere, the Northwest Area (also referred to as Northwest Neighbors) has a median real estate price of $148,000. Most of the residential real estate is owner-occupied.
• Southwest Area: The Southwest Area shares an indistinct boundary with the Taylor neighborhood and has a median real estate price of $186,000. The homes here are less old than in some parts of the city but are still well-established, mostly built between 1940 and 1970. Several major parks are in this neighborhood, including 236-acre Jones Park.

Cedar Rapids, IA School District

Public schools in Cedar Rapids, IA are part of the Cedar Rapids Community School District, which serves over 16,000 students, making it the second-largest school district, by enrollment, in Iowa. The Cedar Rapids Community School District includes 31 schools in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding communities.

There are also several colleges in the Cedar Rapids area, including Kirkwood Community College, a public 2-year college. Another option is Coe College, a private 4-year liberal arts college that was founded in Cedar Rapids in 1851.

Moving to Cedar Rapids, IA Resource Guide

Moving to a new place can always be challenging. Still, if you plan on relocating to the Cedar Rapids area, some excellent resources are available to help ease the transition. Start with the official City of Cedar Rapids website, where you'll find great info on the local Police and Fire Department, as well as Parks & Recreation.

And let's remember utilities! The Cedar Rapids Utilities Department provides water and sewer service, as well as waste removal and recycling. Electric service is provided by Alliant Energy, and natural gas is provided by MidAmerican Energy Company.

Cedar Rapids, IA Housing

The overall cost of living in Cedar Rapids is well below the national average, and housing is especially affordable. The median home cost in Cedar Rapids is $164,200, which is just 57% of the national average home cost. Average rental rates range from $509 for a typical studio apartment to $1,277 for a typical four-bedroom apartment.