Iowa City is the former capital of the
state of Iowa. It is home to about 60,000 people. It was also home to the
University of Iowa. Iowa City is a
cultural center for the state.
From personal experience, Iowa City is a black hole. The University attracts people from all over. The International Writing Program has a huge pull on people, and it is the cheapest school in the big ten. Many people come to Iowa City for school and love it so much they end up staying. One of my roommates has an Aunt and Uncle that came to school here twenty years ago and are still here. A friend of mine just graduated and moved to California. She's looking at coming back for Graduate School.
You either love this city, hate this city, or you end up having this detached love for it. I'm here. I'll be graduating in a year. I enjoy being here, but I'm certainly not staying when I'm done with my degree.