c.1895 Four Bedroom Iowa Victorian on 1.62 Acres $175K
OHU50K Notes $175,000
I love the way the realtor describes this Iowa Victorian four-bedroom, two-bath home. “Nicely updated over the years with enough restraint that it still feels authentic.” That especially goes for the exterior. For the interior, personally I feel a bit more restraint was warranted. Still, it is a lovely old home with hardwood floors, French doors, fireplace and unpainted staircase. The bonus is the 1.62 acres with the proverbial white picket fence. The street is so pretty, too.
Realtor Comments
Nicely updated over the years with enough restraint that it still feels authentic. Lots of sq ft to let family spread out. Large family room addition with fireplace. 2 br and a bonus up with a full bath and primary bedroom and full bath on main level. Detached 2car garage, huge lot with mature trees and mowed serenity path around the perimeter. Lots to love; a must see.
- 4 bed
- 2 bath
- Build date 1895
Pros of Living in Lamoni, IA
1. Excellent Affordability & Housing
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Lamoni’s overall cost of living is around 27% lower than the U.S. average, and about 9% lower than the Iowa average
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Median home values hover between $107K–$108K, roughly 68% below the national median, with two-bedroom rent averaging $676–$780/month—significantly lower costs overall
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BestPlaces ranks housing affordability highly (score: A+) and shows strong home equity potential (~10.8% appreciation year-over-year)
2. Safety, Commute & Quality of Life
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Lamoni has an exceptionally low crime rate—about 50% lower than Iowa’s average and 62% below the U.S. average, making it one of America’s safer town
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Average commute is under 13 minutes, with nearly 20% walking to work, indicating compactness and convenience
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A dense-suburban environment with sidewalks, trails, parks, and neighborhood parks provides a peaceful small‑town rhythm
3. Community, Culture & Diversity
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Home to Graceland University, Lamoni benefits from cultural events, some diversity, and young adult energy. Locals describe the town as welcoming and family-friendly
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Niche grades: Jobs—A; Cost of Living—A-minus; Diversity—B; Nightlife—B; Family-Friendliness—B+
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Roughly 48% of adults hold at least a bachelor’s degree, with a high share of professionals, white‑collar workers, and remote employees (~12%)
4. Education & Local Schools
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Lamoni Community School District has ~14:1 student-teacher ratio, with 59% math proficiency and 64% reading proficiency, and a graduation rate of 84%—slightly below state norms but decent for size
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Small class sizes allow more personalized attention; local schools collaborate with Graceland University and community college for dual-credit courses
Cons of Living in Lamoni, IA
1. Lower Income Levels
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Median household income sits around $36,600, approximately 33% lower than Iowa’s average, with per capita income around $21,900
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Poverty rate is around 13%, a bit above the national average (~12.4%)
2. Small Size & Limited Amenities
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Population is under 2,000, with modest amenities—few restaurants, shops, and minimal nightlife or entertainment beyond university events
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As a Reddit commenter noted:
“Lamoni is a cute town on the Missouri border… my teenage niece thinks it’s super‑boring and would definitely not choose to live there.
3. Economy & Job Market Constraints
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Though Niche gives lamoni “Jobs” an A, local median income and job availability skew toward teaching, service, and regional work—few high-paying or professional roles within the town itself
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Many residents commute or rely on remote work; younger residents often move after high school due to lack of local opportunity
4. School Ratings & Resources
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Public school grades: District C+, Elementary D–, High School F; test scores and academic outcomes are lower than state averages
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While educationally intimate, strong academic resources and extracurricular options are limited by small size.
