Hey, Military spouse here. Rent is about $2,875/month for a decent place. With a population of 11,660, Davenport is a small town. The unemployment rate is 1.8%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $65,157 in Davenport. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Nice parks and trails
- Easy commute
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Limited public transit
- Mosquitoes and humidity
- Chain restaurants dominate
The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
11 upvotes
13 Replies
lake_connor1
this is the way
40 upvotes
Autumn R.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Isabelle Phillips
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The cultural scene is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
35 upvotes
Elijah Smith
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 13 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is average.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Zoey Young
noted, appreciate it
26 upvotes
Maverick Hughes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Downtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
26 upvotes
Scarlett Anderson
Bought a house here in 2020 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
25 upvotes
Allison Chavez
yeah no that's not right
21 upvotes
Julian Edwards
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is decent in most areas.
9 upvotes
Dominic G.
I've lived in North for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
- The cost of living scene is solid
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Sarah Nelson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Portland about 15 years ago. The main reasons were family and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Stella Taylor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 14 years. Moved from Denver for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Property taxes are high. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
0 upvotes
Peter R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 9 years. Moved from Nashville for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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