Perhaps you or your spouse just got a job offer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and now you’re breaking the news to your friends and family. Once they get over the initial shock, the questions will start pouring in.

“What’s in Iowa?” and “Why there?” are guaranteed to be the first couple questions out of their mouths.

If you’re not from eastern Iowa or you’ve never visited it, then Cedar Rapids can be a difficult city to picture. Especially with many people who have the misconceptions that Iowans only subside on corn and that they all live on farms in remote areas where internet signals don’t exist.

This is absolutely NOT TRUE!

The truth is that Iowa has a lot going on and Cedar Rapids has become a hub of fun, business success, culture, and activities for the whole family.

While you’re preparing to move to the second largest city in Iowa, we’d like you to know six things about this eastern Iowa city:

1.Movers are available

Whether you’re moving from out of state or from the other side of the state, White Glove Movers can help you get here. We recommend speaking with several residential movers and getting estimates from each one.

If you work with our team, you’ll find that we have little to no overhead costs, which means we pass the savings on to you. Why is that? We’re locally owned and operated!

2.Significant neighborhoods

Cedar Rapids is divided into sections by the river and 1st Avenue, which means there are prominent areas around town. Czech Village and New Bohemia are districts located near the downtown area that have blossomed over the years.

Both of these neighborhoods offer a blend of housing, cool local shops, and walkable streets to peruse. Czech Village has been inhabited by multiple generations of the same families, which gives it a historical feel. 

3.Brace yourself for the sirens

If you’re new to the midwest then you’ll need to prepare yourself for the tornado sirens. In Cedar Rapids, we’re fortunate to not have many tornadoes pass through (knock on wood) but we like to be prepared.

The first Wednesday morning of the month we’ll test our tornado sirens to make sure everything is kosher. And don’t worry, we’ll let you know it’s a test before they start.

4.Factories for your olfactory system

Cedar Rapids is a processing town so it’s home to several factories that manufacture products that are shipped around the country. With that privilege comes a range of smells. Some are fantastic and some are not so great.

When you wander downtown, you’ll get a whiff of Quaker Oats that can smell yeast-y, like eggs, or like Crunch Berries. You’ll quickly discover that everybody here prefers Crunch Berry day.

5.Prepare for all seasons

Iowa will give you a full blast of each season, so prepare for mild springs, humid summers, cool falls, and snow-covered winters. Each year is a little bit different. Sometimes spring gets lost in the matrix and we go straight to summer. Winter can contain lots of snow or minimal amounts – it just depends on what mother nature wants to do.

Either way, we know that Iowa winters won’t last for years like they do on “Game of Thrones.”

6.A wide-ranged economy

The downtown area is the center for the city’s banking, insurance, processing, and telecommunication industries. Rockwell Collins, a Fortune 500 company, has a main location here in Cedar Rapids and is one of the city’s largest employers. The city’s job market has been growing consistently and unemployment rates have plummeted.

Come join us!

Do you need a residential mover to help you relocate to Cedar Rapids, Iowa? Give the team at White Glove Movers a call or complete our online quote form. We’ll happily help you pack, move, and get your items back into your home. Call us today to schedule an estimate.

So you just finalized the paperwork on your new home in Cedar Rapids (heck yes!). But now the reality of having to pack and haul all of your things to your new space is setting in.

Don’t worry, now is not the time to panic!

When it comes to residential moving, our locally owned team knows a thing or two. White Glove Movers loves to help homeowners move across the country, to the other side of the state, and even to the other side of town.

We’ve been in the moving business for a while and are here to give you some tips and tricks for making your summer move run smoothly.

1.Schedule your packing

Packing gets overwhelming when you procrastinate. Summertime is full of fun activities and vacations, so the last thing you probably want to do is be cooped up in your home packing boxes. Trust us, the entire process will be much easier if you give yourself a daily box quota.

Start in one room and don’t go to the next one until that room is done. Keep a reminder on your calendar or smartphone to remind you to pack three to four boxes every day. After a few days, you should be ready to move on to the next room in your home.

Trust us on this one, packing in one fell swoop can be stressful unless you call in reinforcements. If you’d like some help with your residential packing, our team is ready to step in.

2.Use good quality boxes

Moving day will run smoothly if you avoid using cheap boxes. No one wants to see their valuables breaking all over the driveway on moving day, so don’t let it happen!

When it comes to packing materials, we’ve got you covered. We stock lots of high-quality boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper. Not sure how much you need? Let us take a look at your home and give you an estimate. If you end up needing more, we’ll hook you up.

3.Pack your wardrobe separately

Who says you have to waste time taking all of your clothes off the hangers? Not us!

When you work with our professional moving team, we’ll get you some wardrobe boxes so you can take your clothes out of the closet and stow them in wardrobe boxes hangers and all. Then they’ll be ready to go back in the closet in your new space. Piece of cake.

4.Keep a master list

As a residential moving company, we know how easy it is to become disorganized during a move. The trick is to keep a master list of all your household items and personal belongings so you can check them off during the unpacking process. Make at least one copy of this list and keep one in your phone so you can keep track of everything.

5.Let the professionals help you

The good news about moving during Iowa summers is that there usually isn’t much in the way of bad weather. The occasional thunderstorm can rain on your moving day, and the humidity can be intense, but it’s typically smooth sailing.

No matter how far you’re moving, let the pros at White Glove Movers help you out. We’re happy to take care of the packing, moving, and hauling process for you so you don’t have to break a sweat on your summer moving day.

Give us a call today to receive an estimate! Otherwise, complete our online form, today.

Moving takes a lot of coordinating, planning, hard work, and organization. Even when you decide to work with a residential moving company, you need to discuss some things with their team before the big day arrives.

Whether you’re moving to the other side of town or across the country, you should work with a residential mover that has your back.

Here’s a list of the top 6 questions you should ask the moving company you’re looking to hire.

1. Are you licensed?

The moving team you’re considering may have a good reputation in the Cedar Rapids area, but they could be hiding some skeletons in their closet. All residential movers need to have a license and insurance in order to operate legally in the State of Iowa.

Check to make sure your mover has the correct licensing and insurance to get the job done legally.

2. Are you locally owned and operated?

Local businesses are the lifeblood of the city of Cedar Rapids. As a working community, we understand the value of every dollar we make.

When you work with a locally owned and operated moving company, not only are you supporting the business of someone just like you, you’re also saving money.

Since White Glove Movers isn’t part of a large corporation, we have minimal overhead cost, so we pass the savings on to you!

3. Do you subcontract?

This is a fair question for the mover you’re looking into. Ask if their team will be the ones showing up on moving day or if they’ll be calling in reinforcements from another business. Rest assured that the local team at White Glove Movers will be the ones moving your household items on moving day – it’s just how we operate.

4. Do you do quotes or estimates?

Every moving team worth their salt gives estimates so you have an idea of what to expect. Most companies charge a rate per pound and distance. Get this information up front so you have something to compare during research mode.

White Glove Movers is happy to provide you with a quote today. The more information you give us the more accurate we can be. Visit our website to fill out our quote form to the best of your ability and we’ll be in touch with you shortly. You can also give us a call at 319-393-3000.

5. Do you sell packing supplies?

If there’s one thing we know about moving it’s that we tend to forget just how much stuff houses can accumulate. That means you’re going to need a lot of boxes!

Moving companies offer sturdy moving boxes, quality packaging tape, packing paper, carpet covers and more to ensure your items are transported safely and your house remains clean on moving day. Don’t waste time trying to track down boxes – just ask your mover! 

6. What recommendations do you have?

Each family is different, which means each move is different. After spending some time talking with your mover, they should have a clear idea of what to expect on moving day, which means they will have some guidance for you. Never hesitate to ask their advice or what else you should know before the move begins.

White Glove Movers is a locally owned and operated moving company that helps homeowners like you in the Cedar Rapids, Marion, and surrounding communities. We believe in treating your home, valuables, and family with care – that’s how we got our name! Give us a call today to discuss your upcoming move.

Known as the City of Five Seasons, Cedar Rapids is Iowa’s second largest city. Located at the intersection of a river and train tracks, good old CR is chalk full of history, art, great food, and a beautiful landscape.

Cedar Rapids is a great community. We’re hard workers and we know the value of family. Here’s a look at 6 additional reasons to relocate to this city if you’re getting ready to make a residential move.

1. We have an island

The Cedar River runs through the heart of the city and there just so happens to be an island along that river. Mays Island, former home of the courthouse, is the small island located in the downtown area. There are just a handful of cities in the world that have government offices on a municipal island and Cedar Rapids is one of them!

2. It’s the second largest city in the state

With a population just shy of 130,000 people, CR is the second largest city in Iowa. The first being the capital of Des Moines, of course. 

3. It’s all about the ‘burbs

Lifelong residents will tell you how much Cedar Rapids has grown over the years. The surrounding small towns have expanded into suburbs that continue to grow and develop. If you’re looking to move to eastern Iowa, we recommend you check out Atkins, Bertram, Hiawatha, Marion, Palo, Ely, Fairfax, Shueyville, Walford, and Swisher.

4. Preserving the prairie

It’s sometimes difficult for our modern minds to think back on what the state looked like when it was mostly prairie, but it’s not all gone. Now home to lots of farmland, Cedar Rapids is aiming to protect and preserve the natural wildlife around us. Thanks to Indian Creek Nature Center, you can enjoy the natural plants, habitats, and wildlife that once covered the entire state.

5. It’s inspirational

Ever heard of the famous painting called “American Gothic” by Grant Wood? Yeah, that was painted here.

In the downtown area sits the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art where you can peruse the largest collection of his works in the world. You can even take a tour of Wood’s studio and see the loft where he painted several of his famous paintings.

Need to find your zen after a long moving day? Be sure to stop by the Grant Wood studio for a monthly meditation session where you can relax in Wood’s studio. You can also bring the family to the museum for free once a month!

6. Celebrating five seasons

When you’re driving around the S curves of 380, you’ll spot the gigantic stylized tree that overlooks the river. This is the symbol for the “City of Five Seasons.” The tagline belongs to the city and encourages us to celebrate spring, summer, fall, and winter. What’s the fifth season, you ask? It’s a reminder to enjoy all seasons and to enjoy life.

Cedar Rapids is a great community and we’d be happy to help you get settled in. If you need help with your residential move, give the team at White Glove Movers a call. We’d love to help you move from one of the local suburbs to a spot in the city or across town! Give us a call today at 319-393-3000 to receive a quote.