c.1863 Two Bedroom Iowa Home For Sale $64K

Upstairs – two spacious bedrooms and a full bath. Newer furnace, air conditioning, and hot water heater. Garden shed & private back yard complete this historic property. This property is zoned commercial.

• 2bed
• 1.5bath
• 1,664sqft
• 4,356sqft lot
• Circa 1863

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The Pros of Living in Fairfield

• Incredible Cultural and Culinary Diversity: Because of the international draw of the TM movement and the Maharishi International University (MIU), Fairfield has an incredibly diverse population for a small Iowa town. This global influx supports a vibrant culture filled with art galleries, indie coffee shops, health food stores, and a restaurant scene featuring authentic Indian, Thai, and Mediterranean cuisine that you would normally only find in a major metro area.

• A Hotbed for Entrepreneurship and Tech: Known as “Silicorn Valley,” Fairfield punches way above its weight in business start-ups, green energy companies, software development, and venture capital. The community actively supports independent businesses and local startups, making it an excellent place for remote workers, creatives, and entrepreneurs looking for a collaborative network.

• Highly Affordable Cost of Living: Real estate in Fairfield is very accessible compared to national averages. The median home value hovers around $140,000 to $160,000. Buyers can find anything from historic Victorian homes near the town square to eco-friendly, solar-powered architectural designs for a fraction of what they would cost on the coasts.

• Commitment to Sustainability and Wellness: If you value a green, health-conscious lifestyle, Fairfield is a paradise. It features the massive Fairfield GoTheDistance Trail System (a 16-mile loop connecting parks and lakes around the town), an excellent local wellness center, a sprawling community garden network, and one of the best-stocked sustainability-focused grocery scenes in the Midwest.

• Vibrant, Walkable Town Square: The historic Central Park town square is the active heartbeat of the community. It is fully intact, beautifully maintained, and packed with independent retail shops, bookstores, and eateries. It also plays host to bustling farmers markets, live music, and the popular “1st Fridays Art Walk” events.

The Cons of Living in Fairfield

• A Highly Visible Cultural Divide: For decades, Fairfield has experienced a subtle but persistent social divide between the “townies” (generational locals tied to traditional agriculture and manufacturing) and the “gurus” (residents who moved to the area specifically for the TM movement and MIU). While the groups coexist peacefully and collaborate in business, the cultural and political differences are deeply woven into the town’s fabric.

• Geographic Isolation from Major Metros: Fairfield is thoroughly rural. While it has everything you need for day-to-day living, major city amenities require a lengthy drive. Iowa City (the closest large college town) is over an hour north, Des Moines is about two hours northwest, and Chicago is a steep four-and-a-half-hour drive east.

• Limited Traditional Corporate Job Market: While tech startups and remote work are big here, the traditional job market is limited. Outside of healthcare, education, agriculture, and a few local manufacturing plants, high-paying corporate positions are scarce. If an independent startup fails, finding a comparable local job can be difficult.

• Vulnerability to Volatile Midwestern Weather: Like most of Iowa, Fairfield experiences extreme seasonal swings. Summers are intensely hot and muggy, while winters bring freezing temperatures, biting winds, and significant snowfall. The region is also located in the periphery of Tornado Alley, meaning severe spring thunderstorms and high-wind events are a regular part of life.

• Quiet Nightlife for Younger Demographics: While Fairfield has an abundance of daytime culture, poetry readings, and wellness workshops, its conventional nightlife is very quiet. There is no bustling midnight club scene or major sports culture. If you thrive on high-energy, late-night entertainment or massive concert venues, the local rhythm may feel slow and restrictive.