Decorah (population 8,000) is situated
along the Upper Iowa River in the hills of northeastern Iowa and has been called
the ideal American town. Leafy, established
neighborhoods, a pretty, renovated downtown, some beautiful parks, a
well run government, a solid (if not booming) economy and an involved
citizenry (divided exactly equally between Republicans and Democrats)
all add to Decorah's appeal. Settled in the 1850s, the town
originally attracted a large number of Norwegian
immigrants, and today, Decorah celebrates its rich Norwegian heritage
with lots of fun festivals (such as Nordic Fest) and a large
museum. The population has an education level above the
national average, and crime is practically nonexistent. The cost
of living is roughly 12% below the national average, and the median home
price is $140,000, also below the national median. Boasting a
friendly ambiance and character not found in all small communities, Decorah receives raves from current and past
residents alike. Of the population, 17% is age 45 to 64, and
18% is age 65 and better.
A small liberal
arts college with a picturesque campus, Luther College (population 2,500 students),
adds much to the quality of life here. Its athletic teams
(football, baseball, basketball and 7 others) and cultural offerings,
from dance performances to art exhibits, give residents plenty to do and
create a sense of community. Decorah also enjoys a stimulating
music culture thanks to the school's well-regarded music
department. Three community theaters, an arts center, a
lively concert series and a large community food co op infuse life into
Decorah. The town is home to the
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, an impressive collection of 16
historic downtown buildings, a country church and a farmstead, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum is here as well. The Decorah
Public Library started out with 69 books in 1893 but today has a much
larger collection (65,000 books) and offers discussion groups and
classes.
The beautiful Upper Iowa River, free
of development and paralleled by vertical limestone bluffs, is popular
for canoeing and kayaking, and the surrounding wilderness lends itself
to hiking, fishing, camping and strenuous cross country skiing (while
there are farms on the outskirts of Decorah, this region is part of the
Driftless Zone, an area primarily characterized by hills and river
valleys). Decorah also has four golf courses.
The charming
downtown has coffee shops, banks, a J.C. Penny's, some good restaurants,
art galleries and the like. Shopping is adequate, but many
residents travel to LaCrosse, Wisconsin or Rochester, Minnesota for a
better selection of stores. The town's respect for its architectural history is
evident in the wonderfully restored Hotel Winneshiek
and the historic Steyner Opera House, both
downtown, as well as in its numerous house museums. Churches
are plentiful, but there is no public transportation. High speed
Internet access is available. The water quality is above the
national average, and the air quality is outstanding.
Winneshiek
Medical Center is a 25-bed critical access hospital that employees
400 people, making it the third largest employer in the county.
The hospital is part of the Mayo Health System, a network of
community hospitals that taps into the highly specialized expertise and
resources of the renown Mayo Clinic. Additionally, Veterans
Memorial Hospital is 15
miles away in Waukon, Iowa. The Northland Agency on Aging
provides a number of services, including advocacy and meals, and is
located in Decorah.
If there is a primary drawback to retirement in
Decorah, it is the climate. Iowa winters are not for the faint of
heart (early Norwegian settlers probably felt right at home,
though), and Decorah has its share of cold, snow and ice. Snowfall
averages eight to ten inches a month from November to March, and
temperatures can easily dip into the teens. Summer temperatures usually
top out in the 80s. It is overcast much of the time, and
humidity is high. The chance of a tornado is 120% higher
than the rest of the U.S., and the area is prone to flooding (parts of
Decorah flooded in June, 2008). Decorah is also losing
population, roughly 4% during the last decade. On top of that, the town
cannot always handle the crowds that come for Luther College events
(Homecoming, etc.).
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Recommended
as a Retirement Spot?
Yes
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The weather will keep many retirees
away, but Decorah, Iowa has a lot going for it,
including excellent health care, a healthy downtown,
affordable housing, a pretty setting, a well managed
government, a low crime rate, friendly people, an
engaged citizenry, recreational venues and cultural
amenities, making it a great, undiscovered retirement
spot. |
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