May be moving to the Quad Cities (Davenport, Bettendorf: high crime, attorneys)

[KewlKat]

I got an offer late last week for a job in the Quad Cities. We're trying to decide if I accept the job where would we live. My spouse will be retiring in July anyway, so I would like to now concentrate on the last of my working years. It would be a nice increase in pay, but we would like to purchase a home since we have lots of pets. I'm leaning toward Iowa since the property taxes seem much less than the IL side.

I realize that some things will be taxed in IA that wouldn't be in IL and we are used to paying quite a bit state tax where we live now. I figure if our income reduces so will our taxes but with already high property taxes if the homes continue to decrease in value the taxes will have to continue to increase to make up the short fall. So, no control over that, where income we do have some control.

Any thoughts on which side of the mississippi we should go? Also, I do have my eye on one home in Davenport. It's west of Duck Creek Park and East of Jersey Ridge rd. Is that an okay area?

Thanks for the help.

[bcrichdesmoines]

iowa definately because gas is way cheaper over here. i would try bettendorf if you can afford it and dont mind a short commute.

[Dport7674]

I probably wouldn't buy in Bettendorf because property taxes are higher. The area you mentioned is fine as far as safety goes.

edit: I'm prob'ly biased (my screen name is Dport, lol) but I would live on the Iowa side. Although there are plenty of nice neigborhoods on the IL. side.

[TootsieWootsie]

Originally Posted by KewlKat

I got an offer late last week for a job in the Quad Cities. We're trying to decide if I accept the job where would we live. My spouse will be retiring in July anyway, so I would like to now concentrate on the last of my working years. It would be a nice increase in pay, but we would like to purchase a home since we have lots of pets. I'm leaning toward Iowa since the property taxes seem much less than the IL side.

I realize that some things will be taxed in IA that wouldn't be in IL and we are used to paying quite a bit state tax where we live now. I figure if our income reduces so will our taxes but with already high property taxes if the homes continue to decrease in value the taxes will have to continue to increase to make up the short fall. So, no control over that, where income we do have some control.

Any thoughts on which side of the mississippi we should go? Also, I do have my eye on one home in Davenport. It's west of Duck Creek Park and East of Jersey Ridge rd. Is that an okay area?

Oh, yes, the local international airport is in Moline right at the Rock Island border, so that is your closest airport.

Thanks for the help.

Depending on your salary, you could pay up to something like 8.95% in Iowa; whereas, Illinois State income tax is a flat 3% now altho the new Governor has been plugging for an increase to 4.5%. Whether that will take effect, who knows?

You get more house for your money in Davenport overall than on the Illinois side I understand. I'd have to check sperlingsbestplaces.com and do a compare of Davenport vs. Rock Island or Moline to check property rates, but I "think" they are lower over on the Illinois side. Check that as I am not sure.

Bettendorf is considered classier on the Iowa side, Moline is considered classier on the Illinois side. All over is nice.

I grew up in Rock Island and have been eldercaring here the past 6 years. I can tell you this: Rock Island has the best deal for gym membership if you have an interest and a fantastic pool to use. I'm there 3X a week myself.
Incredibly cheap for what you get, also. None of the other cities in this area have that gym opportunity.

Lots of activities here for the area if you have an interest. Lots of festivals and other things to do compared to, say, Springfield, Illinois, which has really zip. Plenty of eating places and manly things for you (hunting, fishing) or you can gamble at one of 3 locals places not to mention all the other gambling places--and their huge buffets--in the area. This area has lots to do for those interested to get off their duff and out of their house.

Insofar as which area to live in, I have been in Rock Island which is considered, I think, to be the more "dangerous" city with all it's bars and the crime here...which, trust me, is NOT bad at all. There are plenty of areas over here that are super safe. But, then again, I've lived in DC, Chicago and Houston where crime is real. I like Rock Island and wouldn't hesitate to buy here myself.

And, because the costs of living on the Illinois side taxwise is lower than the Iowa side, we know more than a few attorneys that have moved over here--despite having offices in Iowa--to save tax monies. Go to retirementliving.com and look at their "State Taxes" column and read the difference in the tax rates.

Then--if you can't make up your mind--it is all personal preference. Me, I would stay in Rock Island, because you aren't going to find a gym deal like over here...but that is my "thang."
However, I spent many a time in Davenport when I was growing up as my grandparents were there and know both areas well. Davenport is great, too.

Good luck...this is a good area with warm, friendly people overall and very caring, helpful folk, too.

[QuadCityImages]

That area of Davenport is just as "safe" as Bettendorf without the (undeserved, in my opinion) premium that a Bettendorf address costs you.

[TootsieWootsie]

Yes, you probably are totally right, QuadCityImages, but, let's face it, folks consider Bettendorf a "classier" area just like they consider Moline classier than Rock Island...and I'm in Rock Island, so you should see I am not playing favorites.
I have a young friend who just moved to Davenport as he thought it was way "cooler." It's an individual decision according to your own needs (like mine is a great pool and his was an area with lots of bars and restaurants he liked).
Did just look up the demographics today on the area, and Rock Island has alot more retirees over here than Davenport according to the numbers.
And darn! if Bettendorf didn't make Money Magazines Best Places to Live list recently, so....what can I say?

ANY of the cities are great to live in in my opinion. This is a nice, nice area of the country with reasonable costs and sincere folks. And only a quick 3 hours from Chicago if you need that major metro fix.

And none of these cities has very high crime from what I can find while searching the net.

[Dport7674]

Most people I know who buy in Bettendorf is because they want their kids to go to Bett. schools. And that makes sense to me, but otherwise why pay the premium to live there when Dav. is just as good.

[TootsieWootsie]

Status...some people are concerned with status. And Bettendorf (as I said before) is considered classier.

Which reminds me of a date I had when I first got here. Guy told me about his house in Bettendorf, his Cadillac (little did he know that I hate Caddys), his pool. We go out for lunch and he uses...a coupon. (Most women--particularly single women--will get how insulting this is to a gal on a first date. Ask someone if you don't get this.) Sigh...so much for being a classy Bettendorfer.

[jrs1966]

Originally Posted by QuadCityImages

That area of Davenport is just as "safe" as Bettendorf without the (undeserved, in my opinion) premium that a Bettendorf address costs you.

For someone who purports to be such an advocate for the Quad Cities, you sure spend an inordinate amount of time spreading mis-information about Bettendorf.

There are plenty of houses in the central section of Bettendorf that are as affordable as anything you'll find in a similar Davenport neighborhood. You seem to think the whole city of Bettendorf is comprised of just Deerbrook and Saint Andrews Circle. You couldn't be more wrong...yet here you are pushing that mis-information on to somebody looking to move.

Some people don't want to mess with Dumpenport's crime and Dumpenport's failed school system. Those people usually settle on Bettendorf.

[QuadCityImages]

It isn't misinformation to say you pay a premium to live in Bettendorf. I never said there aren't affordable homes in Bettendorf. However, an affordable home in Bettendorf would be even cheaper in Davenport. Just look at the MLS listings for comparable homes on each side of the border. Just having a Bettendorf address means you will pay slightly more.