OK so I've been here for 20 years and The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. It's a a mid-size city city with about 101K people. The median home value here is around $162,900, which is actually reasonable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Is this normal for Davenport? TIA! The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
28 upvotes
14 Replies
Eli Alvarez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Jonathan C.
hard disagree but ok
35 upvotes
Aaron Reyes
Moved here from New York about 6 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to dating scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Dominic Kim
I'm a software engineer and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Zoey Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 39, moved here 1 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Pine Hills and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- East: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Miami, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
29 upvotes
Evan Hernandez
as a local I can confirm
29 upvotes
Ella
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Atlanta about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
27 upvotes
Elena
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
25 upvotes
Jonathan Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in construction. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Zachary K.
I'm a sales manager and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
Elena S.
great question, following
11 upvotes
Jordan Alvarez
Moved here from Phoenix about 4 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to healthcare but No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Leonardo James
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in The Heights area are solid. Kids love it here.
2 upvotes
Samuel Cruz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 51, moved here 8 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Riverside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Austin, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
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