Why Cedar Valley, IA, is a Great Place to Live 

This region in Northeast Iowa, which consists of Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Waverly and other great towns, stands out as the ultimate family-friendly destination.

By Kim Madlom on December 27, 2023

Julie Drews

It’s easy to fall in love with the Cedar Valley, a six-county region in Northeast Iowa, with quaint small towns that neighbor larger, vibrant cities. 

Min and Mary Yang did just that when they decided to relocate to Cedar Valley, seeking a welcoming community that was safe for their children and offered good schools and amenities for their family. 

“We came to Waverly because my husband had a job opportunity in the area, and we wanted to live in a small town that was safe for our kids and also had opportunities for them,” Mary Yang says. 

Peace and Plenty of Charm

Families who relocate to Cedar Valley like the Yangs find that, on one hand, the Cedar Valley offers the peace and quiet of mid-size city living in Waverly and other communities like Independence and New Hampton. Each has its charm and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors at places like Cedar Bend Park and the Rolling Prairie Trail.

On the other hand, Cedar Valley is also home to the larger cities of Waterloo and Cedar Falls, which provide a variety of cultural and educational opportunities, like Black Hawk Children’s Theatre, and a wider range of shopping and dining options. 

City of Waterloo

Great for Families 

This combination of small-town charm and big-city amenities makes the Cedar Valley an ideal place to raise a family. Children can grow up in a safe and supportive environment while still having access to the features that make life interesting. 

And the sense of community in the small towns is strong, with residents often knowing each other by name. “The community has been incredibly welcoming,” Min Yang says. “People welcome us with open arms.” 

“We didn’t know a soul in town or the state before we moved here,” Mary Yang says. “We were really surprised by the warmness and the welcoming reception that we had. We had neighbors dropping off toys for our kids and goodies. We received dinner invitations and for social gatherings instantly when we came here. It was so easy to make friends.” 

With four children, the Yangs were also looking for an area with excellent schools. 

Cedar Valley CAPS Programs

Excellent Education 

The region is home to highly rated public schools tailored to help every student be successful. High school students across the region can access the Waterloo Career Center, an education facility promoting hands-on experience. 

District officials know that students who relocate to Cedar Valley want opportunities to do more of what they love and what they do well. 

At the Waterloo Career Center, students from almost a dozen school districts are enrolled in classes that provide hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment in medicine, culinary arts, education, the trades and other vocations. 

Courses, apprenticeships, externships and internships available at the Waterloo Career Center fast-track students through their postsecondary endeavors. Those opportunities also form relationships between local businesses and their future workforce, while students are still in high school. 

Waverly-Shell Rock School District offers pre-apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing and registered apprenticeships in computer numerical control (CNC) machining. 

In addition, public school students in the Cedar Valley have access to great training opportunities like Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) programs, which cover multiple urban and rural school districts throughout the region. 

Then, there’s Leader Valley, an initiative of Grow Cedar Valley, which has a Leader in Me program dedicated to transforming the culture of a school with an emphasis on leadership.

Waverly Chamber/Main Street

A Dollar Goes Further 

With the education box checked, families also relocate to Cedar Valley for its great affordability and job opportunities. 

Iowa is one of the most affordable states in the U.S., and its average home values are around 60% of the national average. For example, the average home value in Cedar Falls is $234,000, and in Waterloo, it’s $136,000, compared to the national average of $349,000 (Zillow, August 2023). 

Min Yang doesn’t hesitate to recommend the Cedar Valley to other people. 

“We are really loving life in Waverly,” says Min Yang, who adds, “I would say to anyone who is thinking of moving here, give Waverly a try and see what happens. It has been great for us.” 

“Waverly is a really good fit for our family” Mary Yang says. “I couldn’t think of a better place for us to raise our kids.”