$423,676Average Value$227Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Quiet suburbia in northeast Iowa City
Bluffwood, tucked into the Hoover subsection of Iowa City, offers quiet suburban living at the east entrance of the 185-acre Hickory Hill Park. Nearly 400 homes, many on spacious lots, line hilly streets. The prestigious Regina Catholic Education Center is just outside the community's southwest corner. Two small retail centers can be found to the south, and downtown is less than 3 miles away.
Bluffwood is a beautiful residential neighborhood at any time of year.
To the south, Bluffwood is built into the area's wooded hillsides.
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Varied architecture among hills, woods and creeks
Bluffwood has changed a lot in the past few decades, says Adam Pretorius, a Realtor with Lepic-Kroeger Realtors who grew up in the neighborhood. "It's had seven additions since the '80s, with the newest being Tamarack Ridge." With each addition came new architecture, painting a style timeline across the neighborhood. Modest ranches sit beside two-story Colonial-inspired and New Traditional homes. Custom homes can come with all sorts of quirks, like porthole windows, steep gabled roofs, Craftsman porch pillars and farmhouse aesthetics. Brick condominiums also appear in the mix along North First Avenue. Condos typically cost between $200,000 and $275,000, while single-family homes range from $425,000 to $675,000. On average, home values are about $100,000 higher than values across the Iowa City Metro Area. Sidewalks are prevalent, and the median lot size is nearly 1/2 acre. Homes typically have single-or two-car garages. Lush, large-bowed trees fill the spaces behind homes. "The neighborhood terrain is all rolling hills, woods and creeks; it's not your stereotypical flat Iowa suburb," Pretorius says. "And the terrain is enough rolling hills that I don't remember the creeks flooding or damaging the homes."
New traditional-style homes with a twist can be found throughout northern Bluffwood.
Bluffwood features a bold mix of new contemporary homes.
Bluffwood features a variety of homes built onto the wooded hills that line the city.
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The sprawling Hickory Hill Park
Residents have many recreation options nearby. To the east, Calder Park features a partially shaded playground and a picnic pavilion. The park was renamed in 2018 in honor of Calder Wills, a local boy who used to play with his friends at the park before passing away from cancer, says Robin Sueppel, Realtor with Urban Acres Real Estate. In addition to memorializing Wills, the new name distinguishe what was formerly known as Hickory Trail Park from Hickory Hill Park, a larger green space sits to the west. Hiking trails, dotted with mushrooms and assorted ground cover, wind through Hickory Hill’s forest. Some paths connect to bridges over narrow creeks. Chirping birds draw visitors during spring and summer, while the forest's vibrant foliage becomes the main attraction in fall. Northeast of the neighborhood is the Harvest Preserve, a 100-acre landscape with member-only access. The non-profit Harvest Preserve Foundation maintains and protects the area's native prairie and woodlands, adorned with sculptures, water features and a butterfly house. They also offer programs and events to educate the community about conservation.
Bluffwood residents can enjoy a stroll through beautiful Hickory Hill Park.
Bluffwood residents can enjoy a brisk jog through nearby Scott Park.
Sleepy Calder Park sits at the bottom of one of Bluffwood's forested hills.
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Parents split between public and private education
The state of Iowa offers open enrollment; however, students are zoned for Iowa City School District and typically stay within it. Students attend Lemme Elementary School, named for Helen Lemme, an African American activist with a prominent history in Iowa City. They continue on to South East Junior High School. Both schools each have a B rating from Niche. City High School earns an A-minus and recognizes graduating seniors who have completed 200 hours of community service through a Silver Cord Program. Pretorius says the A-rated Regina Catholic Education Center is another popular option regardless of its religious affiliation. "The private school has a pretty big enrollment, so I'd say about half of students go to public school, and half go to the private." Regina serves prekindergarten through 12th grade, and Niche rates it as the second best catholic high school in all of Iowa. The A-rated University of Iowa is roughly 5 miles southwest.
Bluffwood's younger students attend Helen Lemme Elementary School.
Bluffwood students continue their educations at South East Junior High.
Bluffwood's older students complete their primary education at City High School.
Regina Catholic Education Center serves Bluffwood students in grades K-12.
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Brunches at BlackStone
A small retail center sits just beyond the neighborhood's southwestern corner. Residents can shop at Hy-Vee, stop in at Cracken's Grill or grab carry-out from Wig & Pen East. One mile east is another business center that locals visit more often. It features an urgent care center, medical offices, fitness studios and more restaurants. Locals particularly favor the versatile BlackStone for brunch and date nights. A 2-1/2 mile drive west to downtown offers more shops, restaurants and entertainment options.
Bluffwood residents can enjoy lunch on the patio at nearby BlackStone.
Short's Burgers Eastside offers Bluffwood residents quality burgers and drinks.
Just minutes from Bluffwood, HyVee fulfills residents' daily grocery needs.
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Getting downtown via Rochester Avenue
Bluffwood is a car-dependent area with only a few roads leading into the city. North First and Rochester avenues are main thoroughfares, and Interstate 80 is under 2 miles north. A few bus stops line Rochester Avenue, and a bike path winds along North First. For long-distance travel, locals head 4 miles southwest to Iowa City Municipal Airport.
The streets of Bluffwood are lined with dense, mature trees..
Northern Bluffwood is still being built out, with new construction a common sight.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rob McCain,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Calder Park
Hickory Hill Park
Scott Park
Transit
Airport
The Eastern Iowa
37 min drive
Bus
Rochester Ave & Post Rd
Bus
Rochester Ave & 1st Ave
Bluffwood Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bluffwood, Iowa City sell after 3 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Bluffwood, Iowa City over the last 12 months is $772,500.
Immaculately maintained by its original owner, this 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo is happily tucked in a highly desirable east side location just across from Hickory Hill Park. This inviting unit offers a bright open layout with a spacious living area and sunroom overlooking the delightful neighborhood, a space perfect for plants to thrive in. The open concept kitchen features solid surface
This Rochester Hills condo is spacious, beautiful and exemplifies easy living. Upon entering you'll find a large living area with gas fireplace, built ins, 10' ceilings and a great view of the timber below, which you can take in from the deck. Kitchen has new SS refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave, new quartz countertops & new sink. Eat in kitchen leads to a 4 season room perfect for
This stunning and spacious light filled condo features a large primary suite with a walk in closet with many built ins, beautiful en-suite bath with tile and granite, expansive living area, drive under garage with extra storage for snowy winters and a main floor laundry room all nestled in a prime location. The kitchen has plenty of counter space and storage with stainless appliances, gleaming
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rob McCain,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
711
Median Age
43
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$110,833
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$117,885
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
100%
College Graduates
80.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
47%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
12°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
30''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
32/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
22/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
21/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
