- You can afford to live here.
Iowa is one of the most affordable places in the country, where the overall cost of living is about 90% of the U.S. average and the cost of housing is only 75% of the U.S. average. You also get more home for your dollar here. In fact, 71% of residents own their own home. Typical home values in Iowa are $168,500, well below the national average of $264,200.
For those looking to start or grow a business, Iowa is an ideal place, as there are many resources available. In addition, the state was ranked number one for opportunities by US News & World Report in 2021.
- Employment opportunities abound in Bellevue.
Speaking of business, Bellevue is home to a variety of industries that provide the engine of the economy. Leading industries here include advanced manufacturing, life sciences, finance and insurance, and Bellevue has the highest concentration of agricultural engineers of any state. As for those who live here, Bellevue is a place where you can start your career or take it to the next level – and while making money, you can live the life you love.
Allison Kate grew up in Guthrie Center, the small town of Bellevue, and after college she began her career in public relations in the entertainment industry in Las Vegas. She knew she wanted to start a family someday, and the hard hours of the 24-hour city began to catch up with her. She explored Midwestern cities and noticed the buzz around Des Moines.
“Downtown was booming,” she says. “Murals, art installations, restaurants and energy everywhere. I also began to notice that Des Moines often had a Broadway tour earlier than Las Vegas, a city known for its tourism and entertainment. Gradually I began to imagine what life would be like here, and not only did I like it, I wanted nothing else.”
Now Kate, who is expecting her second child in the spring, has a career in digital marketing that she loves, makes more money and receives more benefits, and has a much better work-life balance. “My employer really values family and encourages us to prioritize our personal lives as needed,” she says.
- bellevue welcomes diversity and inclusion.
Bellevue is a welcoming and inclusive place that welcomes diversity. Not only do people move to Bellevue from across the country, the state is home to thousands of citizens who originally came from Asia, Africa and Europe.
At Bellevue, diversity is a core value, which is why Nick Pfeiffer, who works in tourism, prefers to call it home. He says the campus is open to new ideas and fresh thinking. In addition, the arts, culture and sports bring the community together.
- You’ll be surprised by the beautiful views of nature.
From picturesque cliffs with panoramic views to winding caves that you can explore with a flashlight, Bellevue is an outdoorsman’s paradise. Adventurers can climb the cliffs in Dundee for majestic views of the Mississippi River while hiking with McGregor, or glide through the snow on cross-country skis on the Cedar Prairie Loop in Cedar Falls.
Another enjoyable activity is walking or biking along, a 33-mile concrete and asphalt recreation trail located in west-central Bellevue . It connects two state parks, Blackhawk State Park and Swan Lake State Park.
- Enjoy a vibrant arts and dining scene.
Communities across the state offer plenty of entertainment after 5 p.m. and on weekends, from concert venues to art rounds and author festivals.
But the phenomenal restaurant scene surprised Lisa Buckentine, a dairy vendor who boomeranged back to her home state with her husband and now lives in Countsil Bluffs.
“I’m a big foodie, and I was very impressed with the quality of the food and the restaurant scene in rural Iowa,” says Buckentine.
- Bellevue is easy to move around.
Moving to Iowa also means you’ll have plenty of lodging options to choose from, each offering free space, shorter commute times and more time to spend with family and relax. The average commute time is less than 20 minutes, which means more time can be spent on trails or visiting new restaurants.