Peninsula Area
Neighborhood in Iowa City, Iowa
Johnson County 52245
Modern builds with vintage charm
Aside from a few older homes along the river that have docks, the neighborhood is relatively new. "My first open house, when I got my realtor's license, was 17 years ago in the area," O'Brien says. "That's around the same time the neighborhood was being developed." Built within the past 20 years, the condos and townhouses range between $200,000 and $350,000. Tall Brownstone units with Italianate architecture make up one street, while squat Craftsmans make up another. Every unit has a sidewalk outside the front door, lined by young trees that explode with color in autumn. Detached houses offer more design diversity but cost more Bungalows and Victorian Revival cottages with wide porches range from $400,000 to $670,000. Removed from the condos are a few cul-de-sac neighborhoods with New Traditional homes and Colonial Revivals with dormer windows, tapered columns and bright vinyl siding. Forest View Trailer Park once housed over 100 manufactured homes near the highway, but the area has since been cleared. "There are ongoing talks with the city about developing that land," O'Brien says.Yards aren’t needed with parks so close
Locals have plenty of ways to get outside. Most notable is Thornberry Dog Park, which has shade shelters and fenced areas for dogs of different sizes. "There used to be a lot of through traffic because of the dog park," O'Brien says. "It was the only off-leash dog park in the city for a while, so it was very busy." On the far southeast corner of the neighborhood is Iowa City Skatepark – where bikers and skaters work on their newest trick. Walkers and joggers take to the paved Iowa River Trail that winds through the woods to riverside lookouts. The trail becomes a wooden bridge across the Iowa River Power Dam before continuing south to Manville Heights. The parks and trails are prone to flooding – as are the streets around the condos at Idyllwild.Fantastic college prep at City High
While Iowa City may be best-known for higher education, primary and secondary schools don't take a back seat. The oldest students of Peninsula Area attend City High School, rated an A-minus by Niche. Second only to West High School, City High rates highly for college prep among Iowa's public high schools. Younger children can attend A-rated Lincoln Elementary School, followed by Southeast Junior High School, rated a B.Neighbors know each other’s names
Most homeowners can expect to pay HOA fees that help maintain community common spaces. One beneficiary of those fees is Emma J. Harvat Square Park. "It's where all the community events and gatherings occur, and it's right in the center of most of the homes," says Jill Armstrong, a broker at Skogman Realty who has been selling in the city for nearly three decades. Adults grill while children climb the jungle gym at the Summer Party, and the Fall Harvest Party has free beer and wine tastings, bands and costume contests. The University of Iowa, 2-1/2 miles away, is home to more sporting events and performances. "The university women's rowing team operates out of the boathouse on the peninsula, and you can go to the river and watch them practice," Armstrong says.Mostly free from through-traffic
Parkview Church, an Evangelical church, and Elks Lodge, a membership-based country club with a pool, private restaurant and 9-hole golf course, share the peninsula with the housing developments. Aside from people traveling to those locations, the dog park and the restaurant, residents are typically the only ones driving in the Peninsula Area. While the neighborhood is bike-friendly and walkable for leisure, residents rely on their cars for commuting and running errands. Buses run along Foster Road. Interstate 80 marks the northern border of the community, and Dubuque Street leads 2 miles to downtown. Eastern Iowa Airport is 23 miles northwest. The nearest hospital is across the Iowa River on the university campus.Major shopping just across the river
The neighborhood's seclusion and privacy are some of its best features, but that also means residents must travel outside the area for shopping, dining and running errands. Fortunately, plazas and stores are just across the river at The Iowa River Landing. The outdoor shopping mall has groceries and national chains like Lululemon, Anthropologie and Trader Joe's. One tiny-but-mighty shopping destination is walkable for many residents; patrons can chat while getting their hair styled at Willow & Ivy Salon. Owned by Sorayah, a professional stylist for over 25 years, the salon specializes in color treatments like glazing, balayage and foil highlights. Next to the salon is "one of the best spots in the city for ramen," O'Brien says. Japanese food lovers can eat at small tables on the sunny patio or at long communal tables inside, under paper lanterns and intricate chandeliers.


Agents Specializing in this Area
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Chris Boddicker
Urban Acres Real Estate Corridor
(319) 600-7161
259 Total Sales
2 in Peninsula Area
$290K - $315K Price Range
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Rob McCain
Urban Acres Real Estate Corridor
(319) 600-6853
312 Total Sales
3 in Peninsula Area
$270K - $325K Price Range
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Teague Case
Westwinds Real Estate Services, Inc.
(319) 600-6717
123 Total Sales
3 in Peninsula Area
$225K - $335K Price Range
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Taylor Blazek
(319) 820-4493
232 Total Sales
6 in Peninsula Area
$158K - $433K Price Range
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Becky Halsch
Urban Acres Real Estate Corridor
(319) 359-3309
96 Total Sales
1 in Peninsula Area
$502,500 Price
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Tim Conroy
Blank & McCune Real Estate
(319) 519-4469
195 Total Sales
13 in Peninsula Area
$168K - $627K Price Range
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Peninsula Area | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 2 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
Robbery | 3 | 4 |
Burglary | 4 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
Larceny | 4 | 4 |
Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Peninsula Area Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Peninsula Area, Iowa City sell after 55 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Peninsula Area, Iowa City over the last 12 months is $315,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
Some Transit
Transit 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods

A desirable neighborhood in the bend of the Iowa River close to major employers

Walkable access to dining, college sports and City Park

The heart of Iowa City and home to some of the region’s largest community events

An extension of downtown housing university students and staff, plus homeowners

Historic downtown neighborhood popular among University of Iowa students and staff

Investor-dominated housing stock within walking distance of the university