Quad Cities Info (Des Moines, Davenport, Iowa City: for rent, house, theater)

[SharpHawkeye]

It should be mentioned that the kind of crime problem we're talking about in this case is in areas like theft, vandalism and assults (more bar fights and the like than random violence). We're not talking muggings and drive-bys here.

As DBQ'er points out, Dubuque is another good option, with roughly the same commute time as from Iowa City.

Clinton and Muscatine might also be closer and smaller alternatives to the QC. Both seem like nice mid-sized river towns from my very limited experience, but I'll leave it to someone else to reccommend them or not.

[metro223]

You said you wanted to live in the QC area and know about it, but all I'm hearing is Iowa City and other towns... obviously you don't want to commute, and a lot of people don't.

I have family in the QC and have been going there all my life, personally, I think it's a great area. There's always something to do, a few malls and other shopping areas. I saw you were wondering about outdoors and I think basically anywhere in IA is going to have a lot to do outside, it IS iowa. Plenty of parks and bike trails, and some great teams there in the QC too. Obviously there are going to be newer areas all around most areas like this, so if that's what you're looking for, I think Northern Davenport and all of Bettendorf are the way to go. Oh and don't worry about nightlife, theres pleeeenty of that too. hope i could help.

[jeffs]

The QC is a very good place to live. Palmer is the best known chiropractic school in America. possibly the world. Theyve done millions of dollars of expansions to the Davenport campus.

As far as entertainment. For sports. There is a minor league baseball team, an arena football team, a AAA hockey team. NBA teams always have exhibition games here in the preseason.

The Mark is the local arena here. It gets pretty much all the top name musicians and bands. Everyone from Janet Jackson, Eric Clapton, Korn, Snoop Dogg, Metallica, Ozzy osbourne, pretty much every genre.

For arts/culture, there are always cultural events here. They just built a new 49 million dollar Figge art Museum downtown which gets world renown exhibits, and their trying to turn the downtown area into a modern art type of feel. With aprks, and sculptures by local artists. Theres always street fests. We have Blues Fest, which is a 2 day outdoor concert, The district in Rock Island has numerous street parties many times a year. It also has a lot of bars/nightclubs if your into that kind of scene.

It has a nice mix of restaurants, pretty much all the major food chains, and a lot of authentic mexican, asian, indian, soul food.

Its about a 45 minute drive from Iowa City, which is a VERY artsy liberal town. Overall QC is a pretty good place to live. Its not Chicago, but its not Mayberry either, like a lot of people have said.

[BRL resident]

I grew up in Davenport. It always feels like home to me. Every time I go back I always find something to do. Someone mentioned the river front, it seems like there is a festival every weekend on the riverfront. Today was the Bix 7 road race. The Swing of the QC has a newly renovated baseball stadium. There are a lot of your big city restaurants. Once you get to know people and enjoy a cocktail with friends there are plety of pubs and bars. The Mark or now the I wireless center draws pretty big acts. But as mentioned earlier if you want a liberal college town. Iowa City is the place to be. The Quad Cities culturally is not very diverse; there are not sections of town like china town, little italy that sort of thing. It has its rough parts where I wouldnt walk through during the day. But it has very nice areas too. I prefer the rural setting myself away from everybody but a short drive into town you know. You can drive from downtown Davenport to being surrounded by Cornfields in as little as 15 minutes. Hope this helps.

[GoHogsGo]

Yes, the QCs are a Blue-Collar metro area. and it will be for some time. But consider this:

Moline has finished their Riverfront/downtown development project, with the John Deere Pavilion, the Mark of the Quad Cities (now the i wireless Center, home of the AHL Quad City Flames and af2 Quad City Steamwheelers)

I understand Davenport has made progress with the Figge Art Museum, as well as various other projects in downtown/hillfront which are under construction. There's also an area historical museum, the Putnam Museum and the IMAX theatre which they built maybe 2 years ago. Rock Island is still fairly behind, in the sense that most of their riverfront areas/downtown areas are either the Rock Island Arsenal or old businesses for the contractors/soldiers on base. (i/e, Bars, Clubs, etc)

From what I hear, Bettendorf is nice, aside from the Alcoa plant and the one electric plant. They've cleaned out the older neighborhood in that area (not really old as it was unkept) and put in more Greenspace.

So no, the Quad Cities aren't behind the times completely, and they're actually moving forward.

[paulyboy]

Hey Oceanfit,

I lived in Davenport my whole life and let me tell you it's a great town for Iowa. I live in Cedar Rapids for work now and I miss it. I drive back almost every weekend. As far as Iowa City, yes its a very interesting place (culturally, artisically, and sports wise) but it is still a college town. And that can get old quick.

As for Davenport and the Quad Cities...music is what this town was founded on. Many bars and clubs cater to live music, additionally the downtown(s) all have nightlife within walking distances from each other. The casinos are around if gambleing is your thing. Beautiful parks line the Mississippi River, and plenty of shopping malls and outlets are all over town. Housing I would suggest try to move into the McClellan Heights area. And don't forget to check out the East Village! You will find Davenport is a very good town to live in. Just make the best of it!

Peace

[thea05]

I would have to say Davenport definitely a no. Leclaire, Bettendorf other outskirts. Davenport is sliding down quite quickly. There is barely a "good" neighborhood anymore. Check out the low income housing, it is virtually everywhere. Rental (houses) properties are abundant. I would definitely stay out of Davenport. Sure visit, but enjoy your neighborhood too.

[iagirl30]

I currently live in Davenport and grew up about 35 miles from here, so I have spent a lot of time in the area. If people say there is "nothing" to do, it is because they are not trying very hard. I mean, come on, it's the Quad Cities, if you can't find anything to do in 4 towns, you have a problem.

One big advantage of living here is it's about a 2 1/2 hour drive to Chicago so you can get a taste of the big city when you want it. Chicago's great, but I don't think I could live there. Anyway, the QC offers a lot of great things: museums, great concert venues, dinner theater, IMAX, riverfront casinos, great nightlife, great restaurants and shopping, annual outdoor music and food festivals in the District of Rock Island, parks and bike trails, and pretty much anything you could want from a community. There is also a low cost of living and travel and traffic are not bad at all. Iowa City is a great place, too. I've never lived there, but used to visit a lot. I wouldn't say it's any more liberal than any other city I've lived in in Iowa. It's turned into too much of a "typical" college town for my taste. I think it was better in the 90's! Anyway, there is nothing wrong with the QC and remember, Iowa city is only a 45 minute drive away, so you can visit all you want!

[The Artman]

I think they try hard to be "artsy" and liberal but they might fall a little short.Quaint might be a better way to put it.The people are nice though.

[mfrerkes]

If people from Dubuque are going to bash the Quad Cities for having nothing to do, I have to jump in and point out a few facts here.

Dubuque has no professional sports scene whatsoever. The PGA tour does not stop in Dubuque. It doesn't have any professional hockey, baseball, or arena football team.

Dubuque doesn't have the one-third the live music scene of the QC. The Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is one of the biggest in the country and River Roots Live attracts big names as well. There's no major concert venue in Dubuque, so forget seeing any nationally-reknown acts on a regular basis, like you can in the QC.

When it comes to shopping and dining, the Quad Cities has far more options than Dubuque. It's not even really close in that department.

I've been to Dubuque and it's a nice city. But facts are facts, and the fact is there more to do in the Quad Cities than Dubuque.