Missouri Valley blends small-town living with city convenience
Missouri Valley’s train depot stands as a reminder of the Iowa city’s early days as a railway hub. Its 2,600 residents are about 8 miles from the Missouri River and the Iowa-Nebraska border, and Interstate 29 makes it easy to commute to nearby cities. “They’re coming up in the world because people want to live outside the cities, but it’s close to Council Bluffs and Omaha — 25 minutes max, and all interstate driving,” says Vickie Jenkins, a Realtor with BHHS Ambassador Real Estate who has 28 years of experience selling in the area.
Medical care and weekday shuttles available in town
Commuters to Omaha and Council Bluffs can hop on Interstate 29 to start the 25-mile drive to the larger cities. “It’s such a short distance to Council Bluffs and Omaha that people work in those cities,” Jenkins says. Omaha’s Eppley Airfield is the closest major airport. The recent Missouri Valley Bypass project altered the path of U.S. Route 30 to skirt the city, thereby improving traffic safety and eliminating truck traffic through downtown. Southwest Iowa Transit Agency offers weekday student and medical transportation and on-demand shuttle service. Medical services are available at CHI Health Missouri Valley.
Most centrally located homes date to the early 20th century
Narrow streets and shaded sidewalks pass by midcentury ranch-style homes and National builds dating to the early 1900s. “A lot of houses were built between 1900 and 1960, when the town was established,” Jenkins says. Lot sizes typically measure under a quarter-acre, with driveways and patches of grass out front. Terrain is hilly, and some residents climb short sets of concrete stairs to get to their front doors. Homes outside the central residential area might feature newer construction and larger lots. Fixer-uppers sell for $50,000 to $100,000, while well-maintained cottages and National homes cost $100,000 to $200,000. Most ranch-style houses and bungalows sell for $175,000 to $225,000, but larger ranch-style and split-level homes fetch prices from $250,000 to $500,000. Properties on the southern and eastern outskirts of the city might be prone to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, and homes near the railroad tracks are subject to train noise. Missouri Valley has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Missouri Valley students can attend public or Catholic schools
Missouri Valley Elementary School receives a Niche grade of B-minus, while Missouri Valley Middle School receives a C-plus. Extracurriculars at the B-minus-rated Missouri Valley High School include art club, band, dance and volleyball for girls. Students also have the option to attend the A-minus-rated Saint Albert Catholic Schools in Council Bluffs from early childhood through high school. St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Missouri Valley played a role in establishing Saint Albert and continues to provide the school with financial support.
Family-friendly parks with pools, trains and historic sites
Watson Station, the old train depot, is one of the highlights of City Park. On weekends, families board the miniature steam train for rides around the tracks, and kids romp on the playground. The Missouri Valley Aquatic Center is next door and features an outdoor pool with a corkscrew waterslide. Nearby, four-legged friends scamper around the fenced areas at Missouri Valley Dog Park. The basketball courts and playground equipment at Summit Park sit atop a small wooded hill. DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is about 10 miles away and offers fishing on DeSoto Lake and birdwatching opportunities in various habitats. The Steamboat Bertrand sank in the area in 1865, and remnants of the ship and its cargo can still be found there.
From pastries to pizza, dining options are steps apart
Mornings begin with coffee and smoothies at Rise & Grind Coffee Co. in Missouri Valley’s small downtown area. A few doors down, the Rialto theater screens first-run flicks. Pastries and tamales are the specialties at Martinez Bakery, and regional chains Casey’s and Pizza Ranch have strong local followings. Family Dollar and Food Land supermarket sell the basics.
Missouri Valley is the home of the Harrison County Fair
The Harrison County Fair rides into town every July. Highlights include Figure 8 stock car racing, rodeo and 4-H events, a BBQ competition, live music and kids’ activities. The Watson Steam Train depot hosts seasonal events like a Halloween costume party and a Polar Express train ride in December.
