Living in Iowa City
A diverse community, an affordable place to live, and a vibrant cultural life make Iowa City an attractive home for scholars, scientists, artists, writers, and professionals of all kinds. Iowa City takes pride in openness, inclusion, and safety.
Iowa City is also a cultural hub, a gathering place for artists of every medium, the home of some of America’s most inventive minds, and so much more. Iowa City is one of just 28 UNESCO Cities of Literature in the world, affirming its reputation as an international destination for creative thinkers. That energy fills the streets, creating a vibrant place that we love to call home.
With outstanding and affordable health care, excellent libraries and schools, historic neighborhoods, and a downtown filled with a lively mix of restaurants, shops, theater, music, and festivals, Iowa City is a casual, vibrant college town. Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Des Moines are within easy driving distance, while the nearby Eastern Iowa Airport connects travelers to the world.
Consistently a Top-Ranked Community
Livability.com
Outside Magazine
Business Insider
Things to Do
Athletics
Join 70,000 fellow fans at Kinnick Stadium to catch a game of Hawkeye football, one of 24 Division 1 teams on campus.
Recreation
Over 42 public parks are spread throughout the area, many of which are equipped with networks of walking and biking trails.
Ped Mall
Walk from campus to the downtown shopping and dining district, where everyone you know and everything you need is a few steps away.
Arts & Culture
Englert Theatre
Since 1912, this theatre has been a treasured community landmark with live events every week.
FilmScene
For the cinephiles, FilmScene offers foreign films, indie films, documentaries, and so much more.
Prairie Lights Bookstore
A top independent book store, Prairie Lights offers a place for readers and writers to create and be inspired.
Hancher Auditorium
Hancher Auditorium hosts many award- winning shows and performers. The 2019-2020 season will feature artists like Diana Ross and Audra McDonald.
Festivals
Shop for original artists wares, listen to top jazz artists, and tap your toes to the blues at Iowa City’s summer music and art festivals.
Live Theatre
Iowa City is home to the acclaimed Riverside Theatre, as well as several top-notch community theatre companies.
