Readlyn, IA

Readlyn offers quiet small-town living surrounded by the open farmland of northeast Iowa. Situated along Highway 3, it sits about twenty-five minutes from Waterloo and Cedar Falls, giving residents a relaxed rural setting alongside an easy commute to regional jobs, dining, and healthcare. Families are served by the Wapsie Valley Community School District, which brings students together from across the surrounding countryside.

ATTRPeggy Marvets / FortepanIowa / CC BY-SA 4.0

The town's playful personality shows up right on the welcome sign, which famously greets visitors with “857 Friendly People & One Old Grump.” Every summer, the community celebrates this tradition during Grump Days, a weekend festival where locals crown an honorary town grump with plenty of good humor. Between the local bike trail, neighborhood parks, and active community groups, Readlyn is a comfortable, down-to-earth place where people quickly learn your name.