Having lived in Iowa City for a few years, I find it to be a peculiar place every time I try to explain what it's like to live here.

It's not completely rural, nor is it a big city like Chicago or Minneapolis.

This ambiguous position somewhere in the middle can be really nice some days, while on other days it can subtly frustrate you.

As a stay-at-home mom raising an elementary school son, I feel the character of this city more clearly as I go about my daily life.

The heart of Iowa City is undoubtedly the University of Iowa.

The atmosphere, housing prices, rent, cultural activities, and even the menu offerings at local cafes all revolve around the university.

When the school goes on break, the city feels like it takes a sudden pause, and when the semester starts, the streets instantly become younger.

The school district's public elementary and secondary schools are stable, and parents are quite satisfied with the college admission rates and educational environment.

As a result, families from various Midwestern states continue to move in steadily. Although there are many claims that the entire state of Iowa doesn't spend much on education, Iowa City is often said to be an exception.

This aspect is one of the main reasons I can't leave this place. Rent prices reflect both the pros and cons of living in this city. Compared to Chicago or Minneapolis, they are definitely cheaper, but they are quite high when viewed against the average in Iowa.

Especially one-bedroom apartments near the university see prices rise every year due to student demand, and decent rentals disappear in an instant before the semester starts. Areas like North Riverside or Coralville, which families prefer, are quiet and pleasant to live in, but the rent and housing prices go up another notch. Still, compared to big cities, the costs of home maintenance, car insurance, and property taxes are much lower.

I think the overall cost of living is satisfactorily low. Grocery, dining, and gas prices are about average for the Midwest, so people moving from big cities feel a sense of relief, while those coming from small rural towns find it slightly expensive.

Cultural life is surprisingly rich yet has clear limitations. Thanks to the University of Iowa, events like performances, exhibitions, lectures, and film festivals are constantly happening. Jazz concerts, independent film screenings, and author readings occur frequently, comparable to those in major cities, but there aren't many that are particularly interesting to Koreans. Since almost all cultural schedules revolve around one or two venues, patterns become apparent after living here for a few years.

If you expect a city with plenty of activities late into the weekend nights, you might be disappointed, but for quietly enjoying cultural life on weekday evenings, there are few places better than this.

The weather features hot and humid summers, and long, cold winters. It snows often, and the wind can make it feel quite chilly.

However, spring and fall are truly beautiful. When the campus and the Iowa River area are painted in colors, the advantages of this city come alive all at once. Considering all these factors, Iowa City is a perfect fit for some people, while it may feel a bit dull for others.

It offers a stable rhythm of life for those tired of big cities and provides just the right amount of vitality for those who find rural areas stifling. Thus, living here, you come to realize that when things are good, there's no place like it, and when things are frustrating, there's no place quite as ambiguous as this city.