Tiffin offers quick commutes and new homes in a growing community
Iowa City and Coralville have grown steadily over the years, and that growth has reached Tiffin, a largely residential community tucked between Interstate 380 and I-80. “It's an up-and-coming, fast-growing bedroom community to Iowa City and Coralville,” says Jill Armstrong, a broker with Skogman Realty with nearly 30 years of real estate experience. “It’s a nice little community with a slower pace of life. We ran out of land in Coralville and Iowa City has stuff on the far east side, so they’re putting up new restaurants” and housing in Tiffin, she says. Tiffin has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, which is lower than the national score of 4 out of 10.
Newly built single-family homes, townhouses and condos
Although Tiffin was platted in 1867, new construction makes up most of the available housing along the community’s rolling terrain. The median year built is 2016, and freshly constructed homes, townhouses, and condos are plentiful, as well as lots in developing housing additions. There are some older National, Victorian, cottage and ranch-style homes, but the market is saturated with new, Craftsman-inspired designs with New Traditional influences. The median townhouse price is about $320,000, higher than the Coralville median of $230,000. The single-family median sale price is roughly $340,000, on par with Coralville and higher than Iowa City’s median of $300,000.
Clear Creek Amana Community School District serves students
Students may attend Clear Creek Amana Community School District, which receives a B rating from Niche and serves about 3,000 students. Kindergarteners and first graders may start at C-plus-rated Tiffin Elementary before moving on to B-plus-rated Oak Hill Elementary for second and third grade. East Ridge Elementary serves fourth and fifth graders and is currently unrated by Niche. Kids in sixth through eighth grade attend Clear Creek Amana Middle School, which receives a B. Clear Creek Amana High School, rated B, offers internships, job shadowing and apprenticeships with local businesses, plus dual credit courses through Kirkwood Community College. Coralville has private Christian, Islamic and nonsectarian schools.
Easy access to Interstate 380 makes commuting a breeze
Interstate 380 and I-80 are within minutes of most homes, making commutes to nearby cities easy. “It’s five minutes from Coralville and 15 minutes from the University of Iowa,” Armstrong says. “You’re two minutes from the interstate, so it’s a convenient location.” Iowa City is also home to UI Health Care Medical Center. Cedar Rapids is about 20 miles away. Locals can get to Des Moines and its international airport in about 100 miles on I-80.
Outdoor adventure at Kent Park and biking on the Clear Creek Trail
City Park is the city’s largest with a splash pad, playground and ball fields. A $5 pass is required for the connected dog park. A few miles from town, Kent Park spans more than 1,000 acres with a 27-acre lake for fishing, kayaking and swimming, plus camping, hiking and cross-country skiing. The Clear Creek Trail connects Tiffin to Iowa City and will soon expand to Kent Park. PinSeekers is a Top Golf-style complex with a driving range, putting course, sports simulators and mini bowling. “That is a big draw. People go there all the time for that,” Armstrong says. A new recreation center in the works near Tiffin Elementary School will feature multi-use sports courts, an indoor turf area, fitness rooms and community spaces. Coralville Reservoir offers boating, fishing and swimming a few miles north.
Growing restaurant options plus shopping in nearby Coralville
Tiffin is mostly residential, but more restaurants are coming to the area. The New York mixed-use development has apartments with businesses and restaurants on the first floor, including Casa Tequila, a favorite for margaritas and Mexican staples. There are casual sit-down spots like Bryant’s Off 6 and Back Berner Bar and Grill, and Fareway has groceries covered. About 5 miles south, Walker Homestead Farm and Winery has harvest-to-barrel wines in a picturesque setting. Residents are within a 10-minute drive of shops and restaurants in Coralville, including the Coral Ridge Mall, which has more than 100 stores and the Iowa Children’s Museum.
Tiffin Rec Fest has fun for the whole family
In August, Tiffin Rec Fest gets residents active with a day full of friendly competitions, kids activities, vendor booths, live entertainment and a beer tent. Kids and adults alike can compete in sports leagues through the city’s parks and recreation department. Residents are only 15 minutes from cheering on the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and other events in Iowa City.
Tiffin has several houses of worship, including Methodist, United Methodist and nondenominational churches.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
