OT, Dubuque Iowa. New job prospects?

[Cicli]

Originally Posted by marsh

What part of Illinois are you in now? Finally ditching the city for the burbs, we've had enough. I recently tried to ride from Harvard, IL to Galena in one shot. It didn't end too well. As a flat-lander, the hills destroyed me, plus I was way under geared. We've been visiting the Galena/Dubuque area since I was a kid. It is beautiful country. By and large the people out there have been super nice - not always the case in rural areas.
You can get a really nice house for not a whole lot of money.
Plus you can host a Paceline gravel ride!

I am sort of looking forward to it. I am out in Geneva but work on the south side. Sick of the city.

[Tandem Rider]

Geneva to the South Side is a pretty substantial commute. If you are working in Dubuque, living in Asbury or any of the nicer neighborhoods will get you a 10 minute commute. Dubuque has rush minutes, not rush hour.

Small town schools are have been experiencing some financial difficulties the last few years. The state has been issuing mandates and forcing some consolidations through monetary cuts. The larger schools seem to be weathering the storm in better shape. Dubuque, Clinton, Cedar Rapids, etc are the larger schools. Peosta, Dyersville, Edgewood-Colesburg, Monticello, are examples of smaller schools that are being cut and consolidated. The smaller districts that are surviving ok are replacing the revenue through property tax increases.

Proximity to the schools are a consideration as well, as kids get older, they participate in more activities. Winter storms can sometimes take several days to get cleared from small roads, icy conditions often mean that buses run on hard surface roads only, no gravels.

Dubuque has a regional hospital, anything really serious will get sent to either Iowa City or Rochester MN.

[Cicli]

So, I went out to Dubuque today to meet with some people about managing a new dealership for them. Its a haul from their corporate office but a couple of heavy hitters showed up. Within an hour of leaving, I had an email stating that I had been given a unanimous thumbs up and they want to send me to their corporate offices to meet and interview with the executive team.
I take that as a good sign things are moving the right direction.
The area is beautiful and the riding looks superb. The family is into it.

[Cicli]

So, I met with potential employer local management Friday. Monday morning, I was emailed a plane ticket to their corporate headquarters for a meeting and lunch with a group of senior management. A good sign? I have never been flown anywhere for a job interview.
Thoughts?

[Cicli]

Landed. Out of Chicago. Heading to Epworth Iowa for a long while.

[gasman]

Best of luck !

[Gsinill]

You and your kids are going to miss Graham's!

[texbike]

Originally Posted by Cicli

Landed. Out of Chicago. Heading to Epworth Iowa for a long while.

Congratulations! Be sure to post pics of your rides in the area. I'd love to see more of it.

Cheers,

Texbike

[Cicli]

Originally Posted by Gsinill

You and your kids are going to miss Graham's!

Yeah. And the local burger joint.

[Tandem Rider]

Congrats!!! That's awesome, Iowa is a great place to raise a family!

Did you find a house in Epworth?

[Cicli]

Originally Posted by Tandem Rider

Congrats!!! That's awesome, Iowa is a great place to raise a family!

Did you find a house in Epworth?

Yep.

[Tandem Rider]

It's going to be quite a change going from Geneva to Epworth (not bad or anything, just different). Should be a short commute, depending on weather probably 20 to 30 minutes to the Implement dealers, leaves more time for riding. Of course riding is out your driveway and onto country roads and gravels!!

[rePhil]

Congratulations and good luck!