Clinton, Iowa

[QuadCityImages]

They're also at least trying to improve their downtown, including a number of projects they're currently working on. They were named one of Iowa's "Great Places" in the first round of the program, back in 2005, which got them a $1M award for riverfront improvement.

I still prefer the QC area, but I do appreciate that Clinton is trying to be proactive about their quality of life.

[HeneryHawk]

Clinton is a nice small city. It has an industrial area that isnt the prettiest, but it also has some real nice neighbourhoods too. It is the county seat, has its own minor league baseball team with a sweet little stadium. Downtown is okay, with efforts to revitalize under way. The Van Allen building is one of the true gems of architecture in the state of Iowa, being a Louis Sullivan design. It is pure looking, in wonderful shape. Nearby ( 16 miles on US 30, the Lincoln Highway ) is a nice little town of DeWitt, with nice schools and just a terrific little place, only 20 miles north of the Quad Cities and about 50 miles south of Dubuque. Fulton is across the Mississippi and is a nice little community and up and around the area are a bounty of things to do.

[JMZ]

I grew up in Clinton, Ia. I was there until I was 19 then left quickly after graduation. Depending on what your position is with living conditions; children, married, single, Clinton may not be so bad.

I left becuase it is no place for a single person, but I would contest that it is a great place for bringing up children. I am 27 now and rarely return but for yearly family gatherings.

Also, the city of Clinton has been in a economic decline for some years now. A couple of a few companies that still thrive in Clinton is ADM and Ralston. ADM is quickly eating up inexpesive real-estate along the river and practically extends the length of 1/3 the small city.

[eejm]

Originally Posted by JMZ

I grew up in Clinton, Ia. I was there until I was 19 then left quickly after graduation. Depending on what your position is with living conditions; children, married, single, Clinton may not be so bad.

I left becuase it is no place for a single person, but I would contest that it is a great place for bringing up children. I am 27 now and rarely return but for yearly family gatherings.

Also, the city of Clinton has been in a economic decline for some years now. A couple of a few companies that still thrive in Clinton is ADM and Ralston. ADM is quickly eating up inexpesive real-estate along the river and practically extends the length of 1/3 the small city.

I grew up in Clinton as well. I liked growing up there (I moved when I was in high school), but know I wouldn't fit in there now. It's very quiet, and not much in the way of a nightlife. When I lived there, the downtown area quite prosperous, but sadly, it isn't any longer.

The real estate market is very inexpensive in Clinton. North of downtown still has some very nice older homes. It's a very working-class town, with a number of people commuting to the Quad Cities.

If you visit, don't be too frightened by the Camanche Ave. stretch. There are a lot of old, very rundown buildings that are slated to be torn down for road expansion. In fact, Clinton had several rundown old buildings that have (thankfully) been torn down in the past few years. It's made a difference, I think. I visited Clinton last fall for a wedding, and it looked MUCH better than the last time I had gone there.

I went to preschool at Ashford University/Mount St. Clare. The setting of the school is quite pretty, very old and set up on the bluffs.

[dubuqueaskme]

Clinton is one of those river cities that hasn't quite realized the Mississippi River opens numerous economic doors. Dubuque and Davenport have realized this, and have coordinated, Dubuque by expanding the port with more things to do, more places to see, more condos to reside, and Davenport by revitalizing their riverfront and cleaning up the downtown a bit.

Hopefully some day soon Clinton will realize that it has potential. It does not have to stay in it's decline. The river can turn it all around! Clinton could be a great middle stop between Dubuque and Davenport, it has a great potential.

Fix up that downtown a bit, make it slightly more appealing to young professionals, singles, and families, and fix up that riverfront, add a few condos, viola! You have a tourist destination, and tourist dollars!

Now, if it were only that easy.

[dubuqueaskme]

Dubuque was in the same stage (but a bit larger) about 10 years ago. The economy was not great, there were no projects to create new economic opportunities for the area, and then bang! in the past five years we have seen tourist numbers skyrocket. We now have 1.4 million visitors per year! Most visited city in the state! Impressive considering it is only 8th largest.

[jasperhobbs]

The Grand Harbor Resort has contributed a lot to tourism growth in Dubuque. Dubuque is also helped by Galena Illinois bringing a lot of tourist to the area.

Dubuque has always been promote tourism first and unfortunately builds economy around it instead of luring good paying jobs to the area.

Jasper

Originally Posted by dubuqueaskme

Dubuque was in the same stage (but a bit larger) about 10 years ago. The economy was not great, there were no projects to create new economic opportunities for the area, and then bang! in the past five years we have seen tourist numbers skyrocket. We now have 1.4 million visitors per year! Most visited city in the state! Impressive considering it is only 8th largest.