Oelwein used to be referred to as "Hub City" because of the rail lines that brought an influx of people into the area from various cultures and countries; while this may no longer be true, the name stuck and continues to be used by visitors and area residents.
Oelwein is located in Fayette County, Iowa. According to the most recent census count, the population is just under 6,500 souls. The city is located where State Highway 3 and State Highway 150 intersect. It is the largest community in Fayette County. Oelwein was originally laid out in a cornfield that was purchased from Gustav Oelwein in 1872. The dividing streets of the city were named after Gustav's two sons, Charles and Frederick. The city is still referred to as the "Hub of Northeast Iowa". For a city of its size, there are a surprising number of activities and services available for residents and visitors. The city has its own daily newspaper and radio station. Over 350 businesses are located in this town. There are also 10 municipal parks, an art center, a twin screen movie theater, and a fishing lake. It's easy to understand how this city is attractive to so many. It has a small town feel coupled with big city culture and services.
Moving to Oelwein
Oelwein has everything you could possibly need in a city, except for the large crowds and hours long traffic jams. There are a variety of accommodation types that will suit people from all walks of life. Relocating to the area should be a simple task. If you're hoping to find apartment rentals in Oelwein, there are plenty of options, many of them pet friendly. You'll also find a welcoming selection of duplexes for rent. Smaller sized units might be slightly more difficult to locate. A one bedroom apartment can be harder to locate than two or three bedroom units. There are also a few rental houses available in some areas. Of course, unit availability may vary. Because of this, you may want to allow up to six weeks to find suitable living arrangements. Otherwise, you may find yourself somewhat inconvenienced. You may have to make several appointments to view apartments in order to be able to select the type of housing that will meet your needs. This is a necessary evil. Also, you may want to keep the following in mind during your apartment search.
What Type of Housing are You Looking for?
Once you begin your search for an apartment in the Oelwein area, you'll want to decide what type of apartment or condo will best suit your needs and desires. Your personal preferences could indicate that an apartment or townhouse will work the best. Knowing this will assist you in narrowing down your search options. Another feature you may want to consider is what type of amenities are available for tenants. You may want an apartment or townhome that has a dishwasher, washer, and dryer, or these features may not be important. Some apartment complexes and condos offer tenants access to a community pool or workout center. If this is something that matters to you, you may want to add these features to a list of must-have amenities. If a place you're inquiring about doesn't have these amenities, you can just scratch it off your list. This can help you avoid wasting your time looking at places that you know you won't be interested in.
Uptown or Downtown?
Another aspect of apartment living that you may want to consider is whether you're wanting to live in a mostly residential area, or if you want to live where everything is happening. If you're interested in uptown residential life, you're going to way to be away from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area, but if you want to be close to restaurants, businesses, and retail establishments, you're probably going to want to move into the downtown area. There are some in-between areas in Oelwein, and the downtown area isn't as busy as most cities, so if you're not able to find something in the area you had your heart set on, it shouldn't be a deal breaker.
Your Moving Checklist
Before moving to Oelwein, you'll want to perform some through research. Doing your homework and checking out potential units before visiting the area, is essential. It will save you time and a considerable amount of frustration. It does take time to check things out, but securing a rental unit isn't something that you should rush into. If you don't take the time to research the area, you could end up somewhere you might not like, or a place that really doesn't fit your lifestyle. Another important part of moving is making sure you've got all the necessary documents within easy reach. You might want to keep a binder of important papers. You'll need bank statements and a credit report. A copy of your ID and social security card will also be requested. Additionally, most landlords will request a list of references on rental applications. It may streamline the application process to have a few references on hand. If you've never rented before, personal references may be acceptable.
Neighborhoods of Oelwein
Oelwein is divided into two separate neighborhoods. The Neon road neighborhood is much larger than the City Center area. Each of these areas is vibrant and bustling with activity.
Neon Road: This neighborhood is bordered by Neon Road to the right, and 50th street to the north. Charles Street delineates the southern border and Rose Road occupies most of the neighborhood's western border. Businesses and residential areas are intertwined within this area. Residents of the area can enjoy eating at Leo's Italian Restaurant or Los Flores Mexican Fare. Ace Hardware is also conveniently located in this section of Oelwein. The Eagle's Roost pub is also a popular nighttime location for many residents who live in the Neon Road Neighborhood.
City Center: City Center is situated below the Neon Road neighborhood. Charles Street acts as the northern border of this section of the city. Neon Road occupies the eastern border and the western border is Harrison Ave. The southern border of City Center is 100th Street. Oelwein City Park and Oelwein Lake reside within the bounds of City Center. The Edgewater Golf Course is also located in this neighborhood. The Country Cottage Cafe and Pizza Ranch are two popular restaurants in City Center.
Living in Oelwein
Life is good in Oelwein, Iowa. The city has everything that anyone could possibly need to live an active and engaged life. There are also some recent and significant improvements that have been made to the area. Local history is important to Oelwein residents. The Hub City Heritage Railway Museum and the Oelwein Area Historical Society Museum are also popular venues for visitors and area residents. Residents take great pride in Oelwein. The entire downtown area has been redesigned and large local recycling campaign has been launched.
Local bowling alley, Viper Lanes gets tons of traffic on Friday nights. Apparently, bowling is a popular activity in this sensational city. Area visitors and guests also make use of the Community Plaza to host important events and participate in square dance club meetings. Opportunities for outdoor activities abound. Redgate Park and Appreciation Park cater to tourists and residents who have a hankering for fishing, canoeing, and swimming. Walking trails and biking trails are frequently used by residents to navigate between the city parks. The Oelwein Aquatic Park is another prime location for outdoor activities like sliding and swimming. This parks has fountains, lap lanes, diving boards, and a wading pool for young swimmers. With all these wonderful activities to choose from, there's never any reason to be bored in this gorgeous Iowa city. In fact, there's always something to do in Oelwein.