University of Iowa - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Iowa City is the world’s biggest small town—at least, that is what the locals like to call it. The city has the feel of a classic small Midwestern town. The townies are very friendly to the college population, and life is catered toward students, since they are the major source of income for the city. Many students enjoy the concerts and activities that the city puts on, such as the summer concert series. The Ped Mall gives students a chance to unwind, either after classes or on the weekend. Many students also enjoy using the large Coral Ridge Mall to do their shopping.

Students from large metropolitan areas may find themselves bored with Iowa City life after a few months. However, UI and the city are growing—over the last decade, both have drastically changed and become much more accommodating to the college crowd. The city provides services to make the students as comfortable as possible, such as guides to off-campus housing or travel opportunities to attractions around Iowa City.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

Iowa City provides the right mix... Iowa City provides the right mix of academics and outside life. I love walking through the Ped Mall on weekend nights to see all the people—most of whom are drunk. The west side of campus also is very lively, especially on game days. Vendors are lined up on Melrose, and it’s almost as fun to walk up and down the street as it is to watch the game. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

It is an awesome school and Iowa... It is an awesome school and Iowa City is the perfect college town. You get the nice feeling of a college town, where downtown Iowa City is right across the street from campus. Coral Ridge Mall is 10 minutes away, and it’s the biggest mall in the state. So basically, you get a city that has everything, but still has a smaller, homey feel. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

A lot of concerts and big plays... A lot of concerts and big plays and musicals come through Iowa City. Broadway plays are always around. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

I love the atmosphere in Iowa... I love the atmosphere in Iowa City. It’s a big-town feel in what is actually a smaller town. The downtown area is awesome, with all of the restaurants, stores, and bars all lined up along the streets, making it very pedestrian friendly. Most things are highly geared towards college students, which makes the city a great place to be. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Though I work 24/7 and don’t... Though I work 24/7 and don’t really see a lot of the social scene, it seems as if there is more emphasis on partying than studying. There are 20 to 25 bars in a four-block radius, so you can imagine the scenes during the nights and weekends. Otherwise, it’s a cool, casual atmosphere, and the only fights/brawls come from the drunks. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Iowa City:
• Iowa City was the state capital from 1842 to 1857.
• The University of Iowa was a state gift to Iowa City when the capital moved to Des Moines.
• Iowa City is Iowa’s sixth largest city.
• The name “Iowa” comes from the name of a Native American tribe that once settled here.
• Many feel that Iowa City and Coralville (a neighboring city) will become one large city in the future, because both are expanding into each other.

Famous People from Iowa:
Tom Arnold – Actor, comedian
Tom Brokaw – TV news reporter and anchor
Tim Dwight – NFL wide receiver
Herbert Hoover – 31st president of the United States
Ashton Kutcher – Actor

Local Slang:
Blue Bus – The name for the Coralville buses, because they are bright-blue.
ICPD – Iowa City Police Department.
Ped Mall – The Pedestrian Mall, the heart of downtown Iowa City. It contains several bars, restaurants, and retail shops.
The Res – The name of the beach along the Coralville Lake. Students can often be found there in the summer or the early part of the school year.
University Heights – A small town right off the University campus; a major speed trap for student drivers.

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Kelly McPhee
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Major: Journalism

Kelly changed her major six times freshman year.

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