$474,484Average Value$194Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes 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
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Bluffwood
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Bluffwood Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bluffwood, Iowa City sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Bluffwood, Iowa City over the last 12 months is $550,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Step inside this beautiful two-story home to find an inviting open layout with vaulted ceilings, cozy gas fireplace, & bright living spaces that flow effortlessly throughout. The kitchen features matching stainless steel appliances, a spacious pantry, & a convenient breakfast area perfect for your morning coffee or hosting friends. Upstairs, you’ll find a relaxing primary suite with a private
Tucked at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac on a wooded 0.77-acre lot, this award-winning modern estate—featured in the 2023 Parade of Homes—offers a stunning blend of classic symmetry and contemporary refinement. The residence pairs formal architecture with playful detailing and high-performance finishes. Inside, 10' ceilings on all three levels, oversized 7' windows, and 8' doors create a sense of
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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.
