Reviews & Comments
Davenport, IA
re: No place like home ... Not - 1/12/2010 -
4/2/2011Lily Pond,If you were still on the fence about Davenport I would like to add a few things. Davenport is like many other towns with good places and bad places to live.When you look at the numbers and see the crime index I can tell you from first hand experience the little drug violence is "bad on bad", I can't think of a better way to put it.In all my 40+ yrs here I don't recall ANY bystander injuries/deaths.I have worked in the ER and on the ambulance for 20+yrs.Housing in davenport is affordable ($120,000 will get you a decent small house,$160,000 for a middle size)but the schools struggle a bit but I firmly believe parents make a huge difference there. jobs-really depends on what you do.I currently made just under 45,000 in 2010. there are some excellent universities/colleges (St Ambrose Univ., Augustana in Rock Island,Western Illinois and various other community colleges. 2.5 hours from chicago and 45 minutes from Iowa City and Univ. of Iowa.)nightlife-haven't been there in a long while but the girls/guys I work with seem to have a lot to talk about.We have the cardinals farm team at Modern woodman park , pro hockey,running clubs and The Bix Run that brings runners from all over the world, The guys from American Pickers are 15 minutes away in LeClaire IA,river boat gambling, rugby, polo games. we are not a great hub for food but we do ok-you can always go to The Taste in chicago,Niabi Zoo, SnowStar if you like to ski. Now there is a difference where you live-Bettendorf is more expensive and Pleasant Valley maybe even more and because of that the schools tend to perform better-again I don't know how to put it. Moline,Rock Island,East Moline,Silvis,Milan all are accross the river in Illinois just 5-10min away.Again some are less expensive to live than others and the schools have the same issues as any other school.There is a very good airport QC International that flies pretty much anywhere,If you like golf we also have a major PGA tournament at TPC Deere Run. many courses in the area-cost around $17-$28.Jazz festivals.I have lived in Davenport,Rock Island, PV and Bettendorf and for the most part my family has liked Bettendorf the most.yes winters are your typical midwest winters but the summers are a lot of fun also. hope this helped good luck
Bettendorf, IA
great place to raise kids -
4/2/2011very low crime, great schools, housing costs-a decent house for family of 5 is around 150,000+.