Manchester offers health care, shopping and outdoor recreation
Manchester is a city in eastern Iowa with around 5,000 people and a variety of amenities. “There’s no shortage of things to do — great trout fishing, biking trails and a really nice rec center,” says Teresa Turnis, broker associate with Keller Williams Realty Manchester, who has lived in the community for most of her life. With a hospital, multiple dental offices and stores, some residents find everything they need within city limits.
Its location, about midway between the cities of Dubuque, Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, also appeals to commuters. “Sometimes we get transplants with one spouse who works in one city and one in the other,” Turnis says. “Our community does a nice job of opening doors for new people.”
Access to golf, indoor pickleball and a manmade whitewater park
Indoor and outdoor recreation options abound in Manchester. The city features multiple parks with playgrounds and sports fields, along with a dog park, trout hatchery and disc golf course. In 2015, the city transformed an old dam into a whitewater park on the Maquoketa River that's open for tubing, kayaking and other water sports. Golfers have access to a nine-hole and an 18-hole course, and both are open to the public. During summer, locals can cool off at the Kramer Aquatic Center, which has waterslides and a children’s splash area.
Members of the Delaware County Recreation Center can use its indoor walking path, fitness area and pickleball court. The Moser School of Dance & Gymnastics offers classes throughout the school year, and the community-owned Castle Theatre screens first-run movies.
Manchester’s housing includes fixer-uppers and newer developments
In the center of the city, tall hardwood trees and green lawns line sidewalks, and paved driveways are a common feature. Renovated American Foursquares from the early 1900s sit near midcentury Cape Cods and ranch-style houses. Newer neighborhoods offer Colonial Revivals, New Traditionals and ranch-style designs with attached garages. “There are some high-end developments, and some houses even have the Maquoketa River as a backdrop for their property,” Turnis says.
Fixer-uppers typically range from $50,000 to $100,000, while most home sales range from $120,000 to $725,000, depending on size and condition. Condo and townhouse units sometimes sell between $150,000 and $290,000. Parts of the community are prone to flooding, so lenders may require flood insurance. The area's CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Public and private schools, plus a satellite NICC campus
Lambert Elementary, West Delaware Middle School and West Delaware High School all earn B ratings from Niche. High schoolers can participate in extracurriculars such as show choir, football and esports. St. Mary’s School is a private Catholic school that serves kindergarten through sixth grade. For continued learning, residents can take courses at the Manchester Center, a satellite campus of Northeast Iowa Community College and Upper Iowa University.
Downtown Manchester is a thrifting and dining destination
Many of the city’s restaurants are located in the walkable downtown area. The Bread Basket is a lunchtime destination with lace tablecloths and freshly made soups and pies, and Dolce Vita serves wine and flatbread pizzas. When the weather allows, diners can sit on the patio at the Riverbend Pub & Grill and watch kayakers paddling down the Maquoketa River.
“If you live here and have friends coming in, downtown is a fun destination,” Turnis says. “We have lots of good thrift and consignment shops.” Manchester also has two grocery stores, a Walmart Supercenter, hardware stores and a quilting boutique, so most residents can do the bulk of their shopping in town. “If you’re going to take your kid to do back-to-school shopping, you might drive into one of the larger cities for more variety,” Turnis says.
From the Delaware County Fair to hobby meetups, locals stay busy
Community members gather throughout the year for holidays and events, including the Window Walk and Static Christmas Parade each December. “We always have activities going on in downtown during the summertime,” Turnis says. “We’ve had two or three car shows already, a farmers market, street dances and Rhubarb on the River.” As the seat of Delaware County, Manchester also hosts the county fair each July.
In addition to city-wide events, special interest groups hold regular meetups as well. “There are opportunities for all types of hobbies and interests,” Turnis says. “There’s a sewing group, a trivia club and homeschooling parent groups.”
Several travel options and services for Manchester residents
Manchester has several transportation options, including a system of paved multiuse trails and sidewalk connectors that form a circuit around the city. Residents can also schedule bus rides through the Regional Transit Authority. Access to state Route 13 and U.S. Route 20 connects drivers with the larger cities of Dubuque, Cedar Rapids and Waterloo, all roughly 50 miles away.
The Regional Medical Center, on West Main Street, provides emergency care, a birthing center and specialty clinics. Cedar Rapids is home to the Eastern Iowa Airport, which offers flights through multiple airlines.
