Iowa City Homes in Longfellow Gain National Notoriety

The Longfellow historic district is located just east of Coralville and downtown Iowa City homes, surrounded by peaceful communities like West Branch, Downey, Breckenridge Estates, Oasis and Elmira.  This month, Longfellow Iowa City homes have been named as one of “51 Best Old House Neighborhoods 2010″ by This Old House Magazine. This year, editors scoured North America, looking for masterfully crafted homes in historic communities that fight to preserve these relics of yesteryears. They looked for the most unique, tight-knit neighborhoods in this third annual search. They wanted places with architectural diversity, expert craftsmanship, strong preservation societies, walkable communities, safe areas and friendly neighbors. The National Association of Realtors and www.preservationdirectory.com aided in this extensive search that included places like: The Villages in Detroit, Michigan (Best Place for Bargains), Old Town Historic District in Brunswick, Georgia (Best Place for Coastal Living), Junius Heights in Dallas, Texas (Best Place for Families), North Mayfair in Chicago, Illinois (Best Place for Bungalows & First-Time Buyers), West Adams in Los Angeles, California (Best Place for Movie Fans) and Stuyvesant Heights in Brooklyn, New York (Best Place for Brownstone Buffs).  The story is set to appear in the March 2010 print edition of the publication.

According to the editors, the Longfellow neighborhood of Iowa City homes went from being rundown and on the brink of apartment conversion twenty years ago to being a fiercely protected historic district as of 2002. “Today, it’s collection of about 900 unique homes near the University of Iowa attracts families and professionals alike,” editors write. “The house prices are reasonable, the schools superb, and the emphasis on local art and culture refreshing.” They commend residents of these Iowa City homes for their “massive public art project” that involves erecting sculptures and historical markers throughout the community. Longfellow Iowa City homes are rated in the following Midwest categories: Best Bargains, Best City Life, Best College Towns, Best Cottages and Bungalows and Best for Families.

Shoppers of historic Iowa City homes will find Queen Anne Victorians, Craftsman Bungalows, Prairie-Style Four Squares, turn-of-the-century mansions, and Howard Moffit-designed, stone-clad cottages. While frame houses predominate, purveyors of these Iowa City homes will also note a number of brick, stone and stucco structures. The Longfellow neighborhood is the ideal setting for history buffs, with architecture spanning 100 years and prices starting in the mid-0,000s. This Old House Magazine recommends buying in this area now. They add: “If the charming homes and friendly folks aren’t enough to draw you to Longfellow, there are always the state tax credits on historically appropriate exterior, interior and site renovations.”  

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