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sdchef2023
qa
How is Rock Island for outdoor activities?
Hello, The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
24 upvotes
11 Replies
Alice H.
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor recreation is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Stella P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 34, moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in East and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Phoenix, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 34, moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in East and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Phoenix, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
24 upvotes
Christian Cook
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Julian E.
Moved here from Atlanta about 13 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
matthew_runner
couldn't agree more
20 upvotes
bostongirl2024
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
16 upvotes
indy_madeline
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Aaliyah Cook
following this thread
12 upvotes
Leah Adams
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
10 upvotes
Levi Roberts
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from LA about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I'm a electrician who relocated here from LA about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Ruby Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
5 upvotes