House surfing

Oldbabe · 11-09-2008, 06:59 PM

Here's a darling little house in Iowa City. I think I might like Iowa City. Maybe. I like University towns. Anyone live there?

$139,000

http://p.rdcpix.com/v01/l0f91d441-m0m.jpg

http://p.rdcpix.com/v01/l0f91d441-m2m.jpg

**Want2retire** · 11-09-2008, 07:04 PM

The photo didn't show up.

I don't live in Iowa City, and have never been there, but house surfing is one of my favorite pastimes!

Earlier this year there was a lot of flooding in some parts of Iowa - - did they have bad flooding then?

Oldbabe · 11-09-2008, 07:21 PM

Sorry! I fixed the link. Yeah, there was definitely flooding. No place is perfect. But that would be a concern.

Also, Ashville, NC. Artsy and beautiful. Here's a cute place. $149900

http://p.rdcpix.com/v01/l9896b141-c0m.jpg

Anyone want to suggest some other inexpensive towns with charming houses?

**Want2retire** · 11-09-2008, 07:31 PM

Thanks for fixing the link - - I love the house!!

I know what you mean. I was just thinking that the house might be damaged inside from the flood and might need to be gutted. Hopefully not! I don't see any floodline on the house, so that's encouraging.

Moemg · 11-09-2008, 09:39 PM

Both houses are cute . I'd pick one that had easy access to my children or I absolutely adored the area .

**CuppaJoe** · 11-09-2008, 09:46 PM

Some of my favorite people are from Iowa. Great price, it wouldn't be enough for the down payment on the one-bedroom condo on my street.

So what's the easiest way to get into this house surfing?

dex · 11-09-2008, 10:27 PM

Ashville is supposed to be an the in place to live.

ls99 · 11-10-2008, 08:04 AM

Dang, by the headline I had image of a house on the front face of a big wave, surfer stylishly guiding it to a smooth beach landing. Oh, never mind!

**Martha** · 11-10-2008, 08:10 AM

I love house surfing. It seems like many areas have online access to their MLS to look at houses.

I've been to Iowa City. Only some areas are prone to flooding. It is a nice town but truly in the middle of nowhere. The summers deadly hot and the winters cold.

unclemick · 11-10-2008, 09:29 AM

Hmmm - when it get's down to $65,000 with a bigger yard and fully fenced for the dogs - let me know.

I'd still like to know who ratted out Tonganoxie - no more good buys anymore.

heh heh heh -

Urchina · 11-10-2008, 12:17 PM

I thought you meant "house surfing" like I used to mean "couch surfing," in that you just skip from housesitting gig to housesitting gig.

But as far as sweet places go, I'm fond of the Corvallis, OR area, but a nice house under $200k would be hard to come by. I've also liked South Bend, Indiana and the Twin Cities areas.

tmm99 · 11-10-2008, 12:53 PM

The house is soo cute!

I would have to learn to drive in snow in the snow to live there, but you have my vote.

tmm

bow-tie · 11-10-2008, 01:13 PM

Oldbabe,

I live in eastern Iowa and am fairly familiar with Iowa City. It's a nice university town. I don't know exactly what you are looking for, but I would generally recommend it. The U of I Hospitals and Clinics is/are outstanding, if healthcare is of any importance.

We had some bad flooding here this spring, but there were plenty of areas of cities that made it through unscathed.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that the summers are deadly hot, but we get plenty of heat and humidity. The winters can be hateful at times, too. How else are you supposed to know when the seasons change??

Oldbabe · 11-10-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclemick

Hmmm - when it get's down to $65,000 with a bigger yard and fully fenced for the dogs - let me know.

I'd still like to know who ratted out Tonganoxie - no more good buys anymore.

heh heh heh -

Yeah, that's what I'm looking for too. In a town near a University and an international airport. Mild summers and winters. Preferably in a blue state where there are lots of handsome gentlemen and the women are all just average. I'll let you know when I find one.

tangomonster · 11-10-2008, 03:48 PM

The houses are all nice. I'm partial to Asheville. I can't believe you can get a home like that for that price! Asheville has such a European, old-hippie type flair! Old Babe = Old Hippie, perhaps?

Oldbabe · 11-10-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moemg

Both houses are cute . I'd pick one that had easy access to my children or I absolutely adored the area .

Well, I'd like that but my two youngest are not settled. My oldest lives in SF area and I can't afford to live there. Plus, I don't really want to follow my kids around the country.

calmloki · 11-10-2008, 04:27 PM

[quote=Urchina;745208]...
But as far as sweet places go, I'm fond of the Corvallis, OR area, but a nice house under $200k would be hard to come by...quote]

Welllll - about 20 miles north of Corvallis is Monmouth - same weather, smaller town, smaller school - Western Oregon University. Happen to know of the best deal on the low-priced spreads right now: 3 bdrm, 1240' 1915 home

Only problem is, the owner's honey hangs out on interweb forums all day trolling for suck...., er, just the most discerning of buyers to let him get out of the rental business.

Goonie · 11-10-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martha

I've been to Iowa City. Only some areas are prone to flooding. It is a nice town but truly in the middle of nowhere.

I once heard someone describe Iowa as the "state of perfect nothingness". And the late 'Uncle Bobby' Collins of WGN radio in Chicago used to say that there was nothing west of the Mississippi River...until you got to Nebraska!

I realize that neither are completely true....partially maybe......but personally I like Iowa for the most part.....even though it does seem like it's a long distance between towns! Most everyone I've met or had contact with in/from Iowa have been very nice and friendly folks!

Westernskies · 11-10-2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldbabe

Yeah, that's what I'm looking for too. In a town near a University and an international airport. Mild summers and winters. Preferably in a blue state where there are lots of handsome gentlemen and the women are all just average. I'll let you know when I find one.

....reminds me of the old adage about finding a man in Alaska:

"The odds are good, but the goods are odd"

BunsGettingFirm · 11-10-2008, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldbabe

Here's a darling little house in Iowa City. I think I might like Iowa City. Maybe. I like University towns. Anyone live there?

$139,000

http://p.rdcpix.com/v01/l0f91d441-m0m.jpg

http://p.rdcpix.com/v01/l0f91d441-m2m.jpg

Wait, aren't you living in Fort Collins? Isn't CSU right in downtown? Why is Iowa City so much better than FC?

11-09-2008, 06:59 PM	#1
Oldbabe Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,188	House surfing Here's a darling little house in Iowa City. I think I might like Iowa City. Maybe. I like University towns. Anyone live there? $139,000 http://p.rdcpix.com/v01/l0f91d441-m0m.jpg http://p.rdcpix.com/v01/l0f91d441-m2m.jpg

11-09-2008, 07:04 PM	#2
Want2retire Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Orleans Posts: 6,411	The photo didn't show up. I don't live in Iowa City, and have never been there, but house surfing is one of my favorite pastimes! Earlier this year there was a lot of flooding in some parts of Iowa - - did they have bad flooding then? __________________ Dreaming of retirement....306 days " - - my greatest skill has been to want but little - - " (Henry David Thoreau, in Walden)

11-09-2008, 07:31 PM	#4
Want2retire Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Orleans Posts: 6,411	Thanks for fixing the link - - I love the house!! I know what you mean. I was just thinking that the house might be damaged inside from the flood and might need to be gutted. Hopefully not! I don't see any floodline on the house, so that's encouraging. __________________ Dreaming of retirement....306 days " - - my greatest skill has been to want but little - - " (Henry David Thoreau, in Walden)

11-09-2008, 09:46 PM	#6
CuppaJoe Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,399	Some of my favorite people are from Iowa. Great price, it wouldn't be enough for the down payment on the one-bedroom condo on my street. So what's the easiest way to get into this house surfing? __________________ “Say the secret word, win $100.”--the one, the only, Groucho Marx

11-09-2008, 10:27 PM	#7
dex Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 3,174	Ashville is supposed to be an the in place to live. __________________ Sometimes death is not as tragic as not knowing how to live. This man knew how to live--and how to make others glad they were living. - Jack Benny at Nat King Cole's funeral

11-09-2008, 07:21 PM	#3
Oldbabe Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,188	Sorry! I fixed the link. Yeah, there was definitely flooding. No place is perfect. But that would be a concern. Also, Ashville, NC. Artsy and beautiful. Here's a cute place. $149900 http://p.rdcpix.com/v01/l9896b141-c0m.jpg Anyone want to suggest some other inexpensive towns with charming houses?

11-09-2008, 09:39 PM	#5
Moemg Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sarasota,fl. Posts: 3,264	Both houses are cute . I'd pick one that had easy access to my children or I absolutely adored the area .

11-10-2008, 08:04 AM	#8
ls99 Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 483	Dang, by the headline I had image of a house on the front face of a big wave, surfer stylishly guiding it to a smooth beach landing. Oh, never mind! __________________ There must be moderation in everything, including moderation.

11-10-2008, 08:10 AM	#9
Martha Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: minnesota Posts: 10,065	I love house surfing. It seems like many areas have online access to their MLS to look at houses. I've been to Iowa City. Only some areas are prone to flooding. It is a nice town but truly in the middle of nowhere. The summers deadly hot and the winters cold. __________________ . Do not rely on the information provided--my posts are not to be taken as legal advice. Needless to say you must consult with your legal representative. I am not responsible for errors. If I offended you with cya I apologize. If I did not, I tried.

11-10-2008, 09:29 AM	#10
unclemick Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ... Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: north of Kansas City Posts: 5,646	Hmmm - when it get's down to $65,000 with a bigger yard and fully fenced for the dogs - let me know. I'd still like to know who ratted out Tonganoxie - no more good buys anymore. heh heh heh -

11-10-2008, 12:17 PM	#11
Urchina Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 389	I thought you meant "house surfing" like I used to mean "couch surfing," in that you just skip from housesitting gig to housesitting gig. But as far as sweet places go, I'm fond of the Corvallis, OR area, but a nice house under $200k would be hard to come by. I've also liked South Bend, Indiana and the Twin Cities areas. __________________ "You'd be surprised at how much it costs to look this cheap." -- Dolly Parton

11-10-2008, 12:53 PM	#12
tmm99 Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 117	The house is soo cute! I would have to learn to drive in snow in the snow to live there, but you have my vote. tmm

11-10-2008, 01:13 PM	#13
bow-tie Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 640	Oldbabe, I live in eastern Iowa and am fairly familiar with Iowa City. It's a nice university town. I don't know exactly what you are looking for, but I would generally recommend it. The U of I Hospitals and Clinics is/are outstanding, if healthcare is of any importance. We had some bad flooding here this spring, but there were plenty of areas of cities that made it through unscathed. I wouldn't go so far as to say that the summers are deadly hot, but we get plenty of heat and humidity. The winters can be hateful at times, too. How else are you supposed to know when the seasons change?? __________________ Diggin' my way to financial freedom, one buck-at-a-time

11-10-2008, 03:48 PM	#15
tangomonster Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 583	The houses are all nice. I'm partial to Asheville. I can't believe you can get a home like that for that price! Asheville has such a European, old-hippie type flair! Old Babe = Old Hippie, perhaps? __________________ A wise woman should have money in her head, but not in her heart---Jonathan Swift

11-10-2008, 04:27 PM	#17
calmloki Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Independence Posts: 1,518	[quote=Urchina;745208]... But as far as sweet places go, I'm fond of the Corvallis, OR area, but a nice house under $200k would be hard to come by...quote] Welllll - about 20 miles north of Corvallis is Monmouth - same weather, smaller town, smaller school - Western Oregon University. Happen to know of the best deal on the low-priced spreads right now: 3 bdrm, 1240' 1915 home Only problem is, the owner's honey hangs out on interweb forums all day trolling for suck...., er, just the most discerning of buyers to let him get out of the rental business.

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