Set Apart By Great People

Everyone has a story to tell – ours is a story about how we fell in love with where we live, because of those who call the Cedar Valley home.

We Are Uniquely Individual, And Darn Proud Of It

In the Cedar Valley, you’ll find people who are driven, genuine, and caring. People who live with purpose and find new ways to create, experience, and do things that matter. People who come to the aid of their neighbors, volunteer with youth and the elderly, and plan community events for everyone to enjoy.

Ah-Lei

Ah-Lei

Waterloo, IA

Ah-Lei is a Karen Burmese refugee who aspires to open her own restaurant in Waterloo. She fled Burma in 1999, leaving behind a war-torn country in search of a better life. Ah-Lei moved around Southern Asia teaching herself to cook along the way, developing her own unique style reflecting her journey.

Bobby & Emma

Bobby & Emma

New Hampton, IA

“New Hampton has always been our place to call home! This city has given us so much join – from coaching middle school and high school team sports to establishing our business – we couldn’t imagine calling anywhere else but New Hampton ‘home'”.

Jaydon & Lacey

Jaydon & Lacey

New Hampton, IA

“With so much to offer from the local businesses, recreational opportunities, and of course, the people, we can’t think of a better community to call home!”

Ted

Ted

Waterloo, IA

Ted was born in New York and was raised in the Cedar Valley, since 1971, attending Central High School in Waterloo, IA and then attended college from Wartburg, “Go Knights!”

Ted enjoys returning to Wartburg to watch football games as well as spending time at the Waterloo Elks Club, a civic organization that looks to be an active member in the community – providing the manpower and fundraising on hundreds of projects that develop and benefit the Cedar Valley community.

In the Summer, Ted loves attending the Irish Fest. He’s a self-proclaimed “social butterfly” and enjoys the atmosphere of those events. He also enjoys spending time at local bars; enjoying entertainment as well as live music which thrives in the Cedar Valley.

Jesus

Jesus

Waverly, IA

“We’ve fit right in. It’s been really easy, I’m surprised by how easy it is to get involved in the community. Everybody is really nice and more than willing to help you out.”

Alex & Blake

Alex & Blake

Cedar Falls, IA

Alex was born in Iowa and grew up on a farm in Williams which is about an hour west of Cedar Falls. Alex attended the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) where he met his wife, Blake. “UNI is what showed us how great of a community the Cedar Valley is. Before that, we had no familiarity with the area.” Alex shares.

We asked Alex about some more of his favorite places in the Cedar Valley, and he shared that his family loves, “Montage, Peppers, Lost Island, all the bike trails, Cedar Falls Rec Center, and we enjoy walking around downtown Cedar Falls on Main Street. We feel fortunate to have such a nice downtown. I am very thankful to have a wide range of options to consider when our family is looking for something fun or different to do.”

Did you know the Cedar Valley is 13.3% more affordable than the national average?!

Why Live the Valley?

Live the Valley exists to help you discover the Cedar Valley as an incredible place to live and work. The incredible people, great places, and amazing experiences in our region all contribute to a wonderful quality of life at a low cost of living. We're here to help you find everything you need to make the Cedar Valley your next place to live and work. Join us and spend more time living!