Council Bluffs

Neatly trimmed lawns and blue skies abound in the Fox Run neighborhood and provide an air of quiet paired with modern convenience. “It’s close to downtown Omaha, and the community of Bellevue—which is home to Offutt Air Force Base,” says Andi Coziahr, Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens. Commuters enjoy their easy access to downtown Omaha, spending their workdays as civilian workers at the air force base or at one of the area’s major employers, like Mutual of Omaha, TD Ameritrade, Union Pacific or one of the many healthcare systems that also call Omaha home. At the same time, those with children value the Blue Ribbon Award-winning schooling available in the area. Only 6 miles away, Fox Run offers homes complete with fairway views of the semi-private Fox Run Golf Club. For the avid golfer, they can even get in a quick round before the sun goes down. Modern ranch-style and split-level homes define the growing Fox Run neighborhood. Featuring new construction that is laid out on a master plan, with a median build year of 2016, these residences offer modern appliances and fixtures, contemporary design and desirable features like walk-in closets and granite kitchen decor. “Many of the homes here are zero entry without basements which is not common in the area,” adds Coziahr, who points out that it makes for easy accessibility for people of all ages and abilities. Stone and brick facades line the streets, along with two- and three-car garages overlooking expansive driveways—with room for more vehicles, a trailer or even a boat. With a median sales price of $300,000, some smaller units with three bedrooms and two bathrooms can be found for as low as $250,000, while four-bedroom homes can go for $400,000. Condos are also available in the Turnbridge community, with two-bedroom, two-bathroom units going for around $150,000. Turnbridge, Fox Run, and the Seven are governed by separate HOAs. Students living in Fox Run can attend the Lewis Central School District. “I would say one of the biggest draws for Fox Run is the school district,” says Coziahr. They can start their learning at Kreft Primary, which serves preschool through first grade and Titan Hill Intermediate, which serves second through fifth grades. These schools earned a B and a B-minus rating from Niche, respectively. For grades six through eight, students move up to Lewis Central Middle School, which also received a B rating from Niche. To finish up, students can enroll at Lewis Central High School, which has a B-plus rating and was named a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education in 2021 for academic excellence. Private school options in the region include institutions like Heartland Christian School or Liberty Christian School. While a stroll around the neighborhood is great exercise, and the roads double as low-traffic routes for bicycling, in the end Fox Run is extremely car-dependent. There is no public transit here and while U.S. Route 275 makes it convenient to get to Council Bluffs or Omaha, it is not safe for bicycling. Eppley Airfield, 10 miles from the neighborhood, provides service to cities throughout the country, but international travelers will have to make connecting flights. Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs and CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center provide emergency services, and both are roughly 7 miles away – generally under a 15 minutes drive. The nearby commercial district in Council Bluffs is the destination for dining and shopping for Fox Run residents. With big-box retailers and hardware stores including Walmart, Target and The Home Depot; specialty stores such as PetSmart and Dick’s Sporting Goods; and a mix of chain and local restaurants, these one-stop shopping centers provide convenience. A little closer to home, Pizza Counter offers locally owned take-out options, pizza by the slice or by the whole pie; while Doozie’s, features burgers and other sandwiches—as well as 16 different homemade ice cream flavors, which has quickly made this the go-to spot to be on warm summer nights. Lake Manawa State Park, only 3 miles away, is a 1,500 acre preserve perfect for boating, hiking, playing or simply relaxing. Kids can let their imaginations run free at the Dream Playground, which features play structures that give a nod to history, like one that resembles an oversized version of Lewis and Clark’s boat. Locals can access the Lake Manawa Trail or opt to stay the night at the park’s campground. From bluegill to catfish and bass, fishing is another popular outdoor activity here. If locals aren't up for boating, they can simply relax on the beach. Right behind the community of Fox Run, residents will find the semi-private Fox Run Golf Club, which features an 18-hole championship course. Just to the north, Council Bluffs Recreation Complex provides soccer and baseball fields, and is home to youth leagues. Residents of Fox Run will often head to Lake Manawa for the annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration, where it’s easy to get a great view of the show. Council Bluffs Public Library is host to events for young and old alike, from board game nights to crafting nights and more. Every May, the Council Bluffs community participates in the “Celebrate CB” community pride week, with an annual parade – it’s been a big part of community tradition for over half a century. Just over the border into Omaha, the CHI Health Center hosts major concerts and conventions and the Charles Schwab Field is the permanent home of the College World Series. Fox Run is a developing neighborhood, with numerous land parcels up for sale. There is a mix of industrial and agricultural use throughout the neighborhood – much of the area is still farmland- and it can come with the according traffic. The nearby Amazon fulfillment center means Route 275 gets heavy truck traffic. This route is also how commuters get to downtown Omaha or Offutt Air Force Base, and can get quite busy during rush hour.

Originally a small settlement called Traders Point nearly 200 years ago, Council Bluffs has gradually developed into an active town just a short drive from Omaha across the Missouri River. Containing several community parks and celebrated eateries, Downtown Council Bluffs serves as a fine landing spot for those wanting to experience city life while still retaining the character of a smaller town. "We're in the heartlands where people care about each other, they are friendly and they are kind. And it would say it's very family-oriented," says local Realtor Shawn Lake of Key Real Estate, who has been selling homes for over 15 years. "We have plenty of opportunity here — opportunity for jobs, opportunity for housing, opportunity for anyone." Homes in Downtown Council Bluffs are anything but cookie-cutter. A variety of home architectures are present throughout the neighborhood from Tudor and Craftsman-style dwellings to Neoclassical and colonial properties. Older homes often price between $100,000 and $200,000 while larger 4,000-square-foot homes can top out closer to $300,000. The market in Downtown Council Bluffs is relatively competitive with many homes selling within three to four weeks. "We have a wide variety of homes," Lake says. "In my opinion, our market, compared to other markets, we don't have that 'up and down.' We are fairly steady, so for real estate, it's always a good investment because you're not gonna lose." Students in Downtown Council Bluffs are served by the Council Bluffs Community School District. Children can go to Bloomer Elementary School before moving on to Gerald W. Kirn Middle School off East Kanesville Boulevard. Both schools earn an overall grade of C from Niche. Teens may attend Abraham Lincoln High School off Bonham Street. Earning a Niche grade of C-plus, the high school presents a wide range of extracurricular clubs and organizations, as well as a competitive athletics program offering teams from football and baseball to bowling and golf. Locals often head to the heart of Council Bluffs to walk their canine companions at Bayliss Park. Highlighted by its central fountain, the park is a hub for an array of community events from the annual Winterfest and Farmers Market Council Bluffs, which operates every Thursday from May through September. After school, kids flock to Broadway Skatepark to show off their skills. Fairmount Park also sits nearby, where locals can enjoy nature along the hiking trails or take in picturesque views of the city at Lookout Point. History buffs won't need to travel far to learn about Council Bluff's olden days. The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is a popular attraction stationed directly next to Bayliss Park while the Kanesville Tabernacle draws theological historians. The annual Bikes on the 100 Block is another town tradition, attracting bikers from across the country each third Thursday of every month from May to September. Residents often visit the local Super Saver for fresh fruits and veggies, though additional shopping options can be found along West Broadway. Dusted Charm is a popular boutique in the core of Downtown Council Bluffs while musicians can shop around at Lidgett Music. Downtown Council Bluffs also offers a host of acclaimed eateries. Stationed on 5th Avenue, Primo's Modern Mexican is a local staple for its chicken tacos and margaritas. Caddy's Kitchen & Cocktails off West Broadway is another hot spot, offering a robust brunch menu highlighted by its Meal in a Mug while Boxer Barbeque on South Main Street is a top destination to gather friends for the big game. Downtown Council Bluffs is very walkable, especially along West Broadway and South Main Street. Locals can even speed up their adventures at one of the city's Heartland Bike Share stations. Just 4 miles from Omaha, locals can get to the city in under 15 minutes to discover more of the area's attractions.

Located in Council Bluffs and just 6 miles from Omaha, The South End is a wooded oasis for residents who want to be close to all that both Council Bluffs and Omaha have to offer. For its affordable 20th-century homes with large yards and its long list of community events, people choose to live in The South End. “The South End offers good vibes,” says Iris Lobo, a Realtor for BHHS Ambassador Real Estate who has sold over 40 homes in this community. “It’s very woodsy. You also get more space with yards. And buyers get a little more value here than in other neighborhoods.” The South End offers a variety of 20th-century home types, ranging from ranch-styles to bungalows and split-level homes. “The South End has beautiful homes,” Lobo says. ”Houses here don’t stay on the market long because this is a desired area.” Homes here sell for between $140,000 and $240,000 and feature larger lawns with tree-covered backyards, while some feature garages. Many of the homes were built between 1900 and 1925. The median home price in The South End is $160,000. Streets are wide enough for cars to pass in opposite directions and most feature sidewalks. One of the more popular spots in the neighborhood is 712 Eat + Drink, where they can enjoy entrees like the 712 Cubano; or the Quaker Steak & Lube, known for its 25 different wing sauces. Jonesy’s Taco House is known for its authentic Mexican cuisine and features family recipes, like the Mexican Casserole and the Jonesy’s Special, a flour tostada topped with ground beef, beans, rice, chili con carne and cheddar jack cheese. For groceries, locals head to ALDI or Wal-Mart, both located just 2 miles away. The South End is a part of the city of Council Bluffs, which hosts a city event nearly every day of the week. On Tuesdays, there’s ‘Coffee and Contacts,’ where residents can enjoy coffee while networking. Every other Wednesday, locals attend ‘Pedals and Pints,” where they ride bikes to a local spot to grab a beer. In January, for the last 50 years, the city has hosted the Carden International Circus, which provides an array of acrobatic performances and animals like elephants, horses and camels. For concerts throughout the year, Steelhouse Omaha, a live music venue that seats up to 3,000 people, offers concerts almost every weekend. The South End is part of the Council Bluffs Community School District, which means students can attend Longfellow Elementary and Gerald W. Kirn Middle School, both of which, were given a C grade by Niche. For grades nine through twelve, students can enroll at Abraham Lincoln High, which received a C-plus rating according to Niche and boasts a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. For those looking for private school options, the Heartland Christian School serves pre-kindergarten through twelfth grades and was given a B-minus grade by Niche. Peterson Park is undergoing renovations and will be completed in 2024. Residents will see a new playground that will feature a play structure called the summit, a merry-go-round and a swing set. Safety features will include a rubberized play surface. The park will also get a new picnic shelter. Aesthetically, residents will see updated landscaping. Locals visit Sunset Park for additional recreation options, where they can compete with their neighbors on the baseball fields or the basketball and tennis courts. The park also has horseshoe pits for afternoon games. For a longer day trip, residents head to Lake Manawa State Park, where kids can have fun at the Dream Playground, hike the Lake Manawa Trail or camp out. Visitors also use the lake for fishing and boating. Residents enjoy easy access to downtown Omaha, only a 6-mile drive from The South End, using Interstate 80 and Interstate 29. For public transportation, residents use the Omaha Metro system. For locals looking to get out of town, Omaha Eppley Airfield is just a 9-mile drive away. And for those seeking medical attention, the CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs is just 3 miles away. The Horseshoe Council Bluffs Casino is another entertainment option located within the southern portion of this neighborhood. Owned by Caesars, this venue offers traditional casino games, restaurants and a Caesars Sportsbook. It’s one of the major employers for the Council Bluffs community.

Twin City is a neighborhood with two identities – while it is in Council Bluffs, Iowa, a short walk or bike ride across the Missouri River will bring residents into the bustling heart of Omaha, Nebraska. With easy access to two cities, as well as a variety of local parks, a rich system of community events, and a selection of accessibly-priced homes, Twin City offers the best of both worlds for anyone wanting a small-town feeling with access to the big city. “Basically, you can step out your front door onto a bike trail, and within 45 minutes you could walk to Nebraska easily,” Lindsey Grote-Rodgers, the director of marketing at The 712 Initiative, a community revitalization program. “Council Bluffs has always been our little city, but it’s mighty. When you get into the heart of the city, you’ll see how incredible it is and there are just so many hidden treasures.” Most Twin City homes are split-levels or ranch-style, and there are many mobile homes in the area that offer an accessible housing option to residents. Neighbors pride themselves on landscaping and it is common to see gardens and decorations in front yards. Backyards often have sheds or other outbuildings, as well as patios or porches large enough to host guests. Twin City streets are well-organized, walkable and shaded with full-grown oak and maple trees. Most 3- or 4-bedroom in the area homes hover around the $200,000 mark. Families can send their children to the Lewis Central Community School District. Young students may attend E.A. Kreft Primary School, which earns a B on Niche, for kindergarten and first grade, before moving to Titan Hill Intermediate School for second and fifth grade, ranking B-minus on Niche. Lewis Central Middle School scores a B from Niche and serves kids from sixth through eighth grade, and students in Grades 9 through 12 may attend Lewis Central Senior High School, which earns a B-plus from Niche. The high school was named an exemplary “Blue Ribbon School” by the U.S. Department of Education in 2021. Part of Tom Hanafan’s River’s Edge Park runs alongside the western side of the neighborhood, giving Twin City residents quick access to 40 miles of trails for walking, hiking and biking. These trails spread throughout the rest of Council Bluffs and directly connect to the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge that crosses the Missouri River and leads into Omaha. “Both riverfronts are incredible. The Iowa side has big green spaces and amazing places to walk, then you cross the bridge and it just compliments our riverside. All of it is connected,” Grote-Rodgers says. Sports lovers will be right at home at Council Bluffs Recreation Complex in the heart of the Twin City neighborhood. This 77-acre park hosts 10 soccer fields, 7 softball fields, 4 football fields and 3 baseball fields. For tee time, Twin City neighbors the Fox Run Golf Course on Macineery Drive. The Marketplace Council Bluffs, just off 24th Street, is a small retail complex with clothing and furniture stores. The Marketplace is just down the street from the Salty Dog Bar and Grill, a community favorite restaurant known for its signature spicy Char Buff wings and made-from-scratch burgers. While there are not many grocery options directly in Twin City, there are multiple options in nearby neighborhoods, including Aldi, Walmart and Sam’s Club at the Metro Crossing Shopping Complex on Metro. Between May and September, community members can visit the Council Bluffs Farmers Market on Pearl Street every Thursday afternoon. Council Bluffs is near several large highways, like U.S. Routes 6 and 275 and Interstates 29 and 80. Twin City is only 5 miles into Omaha, and residents are so close to the border they have the option to walk or bike across the pedestrian bridge into the city. The Yellow and Blue Routes of the Omaha Metro bus system both serve Council Bluffs, and there is a bus stop at the Metro Crossing Shopping Center. Community members across the city can take part in several annual events sponsored by the 712 Initiative. Council Bluffs locals lace up their running shoes in March for the Shamrock Shuffle 5K, explore their community during the Black Squirrel Scavenger Hunt in May and enjoy a holiday lighting ceremony during Winterfest in late November.

The word “manawa” is believed to mean peace and comfort, a definition is fitting for the Lake Manawa community. Homebuyers seek out this neighborhood primarily for the beauty of the namesake lake and surrounding state park. The area benefits from all the amenities of the growing city of Council Bluffs, including nearby country clubs, solid schools and a thriving local arts scene. “It’s somewhere you’re going to know your neighbors, as opposed to the more sprawling Omaha metro,” says Mark Hanwright, who is a co-owner of Heartland Properties and has been selling homes in Council Bluffs for over a decade. “Council Bluffs is a small and vibrant community that has a ton going on, and people are involved in their community and want to see it thrive. The lakefront has an eclectic mix of homes, from ranch-style properties and mid-century cottages to two-level contemporary properties and townhome. Houses are built alongside large front yards and neat, uniform streets shaded by oak and maple trees. Backyards commonly have decks and patios, and the most sought-after properties come with private docks leading right to the water’s edge. “Demand is very strong, and you won’t find much sitting on the market,” Hanwright says. “Houses will spend days on the market, not weeks and anything on the waterfront will sell in the first couple of days.” Homes in the area range from $200,000 and $300,000 for a 3-bedroom property and can go up to $700,000 for a custom-built home with a lake view. The centerpiece of the neighborhood is Lake Manawa State Park. Visitors paddle board and kayak on the man-made lake’s waters, catch bluegill and walleye from the shoreline and explore the 1,500 acres of surrounding campgrounds and hiking trails. The park is also home to Dream Playground, the largest ADA-accessible playground in the state. A small city park sits on the lake’s perimeter and has a basketball court, a skate park and a sensory garden with walking trails. Council Bluffs Country Club neighbors the lake on Piute Street and has a members-only golf course, restaurant and pool. Families can send their children to the Lewis Central Community School District. Young students may attend E.A. Kreft Primary School, which earns a B on Niche, for kindergarten and first grade, before moving to Titan Hill Intermediate School for second and fifth grade, ranking B-minus on Niche. Lewis Central Middle School scores a B from Niche and serves kids from sixth through eighth grade, and students in Grades 9 through 12 may attend Lewis Central Senior High School, which earns a B-plus from Niche. The high school has a well-equipped Performing Arts Center, which seats 1,100 people and is the largest auditorium in Council Bluffs. Metro Crossing Shopping Center is in the northern part of the neighborhood on Metro Drive and has retail, dining and grocery options, including Target. Walmart, Sam’s Club and Aldi are located just down the street on Manawa Centre Drive. Just off the Veterans Memorial Highway, Rustic Cuts Butcher Shop offers locally raised beef as well as a selection of seafood, beer, wine and cheese. Between May and September, community members can also pick up fresh-baked bread, organic honey and locally grown produce at the Council Bluffs Farmers Market on Pearl Street every Thursday afternoon. Just off U.S. Route 275, Doozie’s serves 16 homemade ice cream flavors and fresh-made burgers, which were previously voted the best burgers in Pottawattamie County by Council Bluff’s Visitors Bureau. Sakura Sushi & Hibachi is in the Metro Crossings Shopping Center and specializes a variety of sushi rolls, teriyaki entrees and udon noodles. It takes an 8-mile drive down Interstate 29 to get from Lake Manawa to Omaha. Council Bluffs is near several other large highways, like U.S. Routes 6 and 275 and Interstate 80. While many locals prefer to drive, the Yellow and Blue Routes of the Omaha Metro bus system both serve Council Bluffs. The closest bus stop to the Lake Manawa neighborhood is at the Metro Crossing Shopping Center. Council Bluffs has also become a hotspot for performing arts thanks to Pottawattamie Arts, Culture and Entertainment (PACE), which promotes fine arts in the region. Highlights include plays and musicals every other month at the Chanticleer Community Theater,, an annual holiday presentation of “The Nutcracker” at the American Midwest Ballet and monthly performances from the Kanesville Symphony Orchestra.