There are a lot of things to love about Black Hawk County and all that it offers, but it's not for everyone.

IF YOU HAVE GEPHYROPHOBIA, STAY AWAY

Waterloo - Cedar River Dam
Photo By: Elwin Huffman - Townsquare Media
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Gephyrophobia is the 'Fear of Bridges.' The Cedar River is 338 miles-long (fifth longest in the state) which means many bridges can be found in the Cedar Valley. Black Hawk County alone has HUNDREDS of bridges over the Cedar River, dry runs, streams, creeks, etc.

If you hate beautiful sunsets, don't move here

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Iakov Kalinin
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This is something that a lot of us take for granted. But it never ceases to amaze me when someone new to the area is immediately awestruck by our gorgeous Iowa sunsets and sunrises and asks "Is it like this all the time?" Yes, yes it is.

 

SHORT COMMUTES TO WORK

Senior man hand detail while driving a car. Soft focus. Vintage tone.
Daviles
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Even if you're coming from Waverly to Waterloo/Cedar Falls, it's just a quick 20-minute drive south. So if you'd rather sit in your car in standstill traffic every morning and evening, then the Cedar Valley isn't for you.

BIKE TRAILS EVERYWHERE!

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If you hate going to a bike ride, then you probably don't want to move here. *Deep breath* --- There's the nine mile Big Woods Loop, the over 16 miles Cedar River Loop, the UNI Loop is over two miles long, the Prairie Lakes Loop is a ten mile pedal, the 17-mile Cedar Prairie loop, the four-mile Riverwalk loop, and the 52-mile Cedar Valley Nature Trail that connects Waterloo/Cedar Falls with Cedar Rapids -- AND that's just the trails in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area.

Cedar Falls is among 464 communities across the United States to be honored as a Bicycle Friendly Community --- in 2009, it was the first city in Iowa to be given this designation. See a map of the Cedar Valley Trails HERE.

SUMMER CAN BE BRUTALLY HOT

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dnberty
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Yep. We complain about the cold winters and then melt away in the summer. 11 of the first 19 days of July have ALL had high temps of 90* or higher in Waterloo. Oh, and there's humidity, too. So if you hate tubing, kayaking, hoses, or utilizing water on sweaty days, this isn't for you.

DREADFULLY COLD WINTERS

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Jupiterimages
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My parents always tell me "We wouldn't appreciate summer if we didn't have the cold winter." Well...maybe. I'd like to live through a 'mild' winter and I'm willing to be that I'd still appreciate summer. The average high temperature in January in Waterloo is 28*. Also, over 50% of January features cloudy skies. Cabin Fever? You bet. But, Waterloo ONLY had 6 days below zero this past January.

PILES AND PILES OF SNOW

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Coupled with the cold, we get snow. Sometimes a LOT of it. Waterloo averages just under three feet of snow per year, which is about 6" less than the national average. In the 2019, the city saw a nearly 65" of snow. Bring your shovel....and a sled.

BEER!

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Miles Higgins
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If you don't like craft beer, it's alright, there's just more for me! Iowa is loaded with its own local breweries, and many of them are just a few minutes away. Just do a google search of "Breweries in Iowa" and your screen will be pelted with dots. So, whether you're a beer connoisseur or just like to wet your palate with someone new, cheers!

SWEET CORN IN THE SUMMER

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PeterHermesFurian
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If you're new to the area this summer, get ready to be bombarded with sweet corn. You can find it for sale in parking lots & grocery stores in every small town to big city across the state. Get a dozen, shuck it, boil it, grill it, and slather it with butter. Yep. We don't just eat it out of a can in Iowa. Welcome to summer.

 

 

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