Possibly Moving to Davenport-- 24 Female (Bettendorf: neighborhoods, living in, cost of)

[ails.93]

Hi,

I've lived in Seattle for my entire life and am considering a position with an organization in Davenport. I'm 24 and haven't yet had the opportunity to visit.

I'm wondering if you might be able to provide some insight into what I could expect, and any recommendations? It looks like a pretty cool city from what I've been able to research!

Thanks in advance!

[Meemur]

My best recommendation? Start researching cheap flights now and come out here and experience Midwestern culture first-hand for a least a long weekend, and a week would be much better.

Only you can determine whether or not living in Davenport will be an adventure or a total mistake: it's that different from Seattle, and there are so many differences that I don't even know where to start.

[QuadCityImages]

Sorry for the lack of response, but it's a pretty wide open question. Have you been anywhere else in the Midwest? Obviously Davenport is smaller than major cities that you may have visited like Chicago, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, etc, but the overall "feel" of most Midwestern cities is pretty similar. There are areas that are not so nice, plenty of perfectly nice neighborhoods, a revitalized downtown, the usual suburban big box type shopping, etc.

I'd also suggest visiting if possible, but I also know how expensive it is to get between the Pacific NW and the Quad Cities. If you have any more specific questions I'd imagine you'd get more response.

[fromthe213]

Please visit first. Moving from a large,diverse metro like Seattle will be quite an adjustment, imho. Iowa has its own culture, as do all states, and subcultures within that. And I can't overstate the winters. We are just getting out of it this year and there may be more snow on the way. I know you are in the NW, but I have never experienced more gray days than in Iowa and I have lived in other areas in the midwest. Again -- just my experience. Good luck!

[canadian99]

I live 30 miles from Davenport. Before you consider a move to the midwest, especially from somewhere like Seattle, consider visiting in the winter time, January/February. It will give you a taste of what it's like, and probably will change your mind on moving here. -40 degree wind chills, and buckets of snow. Sometimes it won't get above 10 degrees for weeks on end. Summers aren't anything to brag about, either, but it's the winters that will get to you. Big difference from Seattle. Davenport itself is an ok city, intertwined with Bettendorf, Moline, and Rock Island for a bigger metro area. Still smaller than where you're from. Iowa in general is blah, unless you're a farmer. Not much to do here. Cost of living is very reasonable. Hope this helps.