Relocation Advice: Muscatine/QC Area

[BCoffClone125]

Hey fellow fanatics. I did some quick searching through the forums and didn't find a lot, so sorry if there's already a similar thread to this.

I accepted a position with HNI Corporation in Muscatine, IA following graduation this May. I'm planning on going out to look at places to live this weekend and was hoping for some advice. I've heard some mixed reviews on living in Muscatine, so I am also open to commuting from the QC area if it feels like a better fit and is worth the drive.

Any advice on places to live/commuting from fanatics in the area would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

 

[CysRage]

I interned with HNI last summer and loved it! They are a great company to work for so you made a great choice with that. Yes Muscatine isn't the greatest town to live in but it really isn't as bad as people say it is. It is a typical river city town as it is literally on the Mississippi River. The downtown is really cool as it overlooks the river and there are some beautiful old river mansions along the river that you'll have to check out. As far as places in town to live, I'd live on the North side by Muscatine community college. There is a newer housing and apartment development in that area and is right by a beautiful city park and the aquatic center is right there. They are also building a new movie theater (maybe its already done?) that looks amazing! Don't be surprised on the large number of ISU fans in the area. There are a lot of engineering grads who went on to work for HNI! Hope this helps and PM me if you have any questions!

 

[CYvilEng]

I lived in muscatine a couple summers. It's a very nice town. The only problem is the smell. Because of that I would live in the QC. The stinky industries (I can't remember what their names are) in muscatine are frequently in violation with the DNR for air quality issues.

 

[MeanDean]

From Muscatine originally. Depending on what you want you can find it. Newer family housing areas on the north and northwest. Old mansion style homes on Mulberry and overlooking the river (a few, not so many).

I lived E of town as a teenager. Off to ISU then lived in Davenport for a while, finally ended up in Blue Grass (lots of mid/nice subdivisions and close to QC's, but not much right in the town itself. Be sure to drive up IA 22 to check out housing between Muscatine and QC. Some amazing housing overlooking the river and some on the banks if you're not afraid of flooding (I wouldn't recommend it).

Wildcat Den State park is not too far from Highway 22. It's not a big park but pretty nice with a stream running through, some hiking areas and a restored mill. Lots of memories from there.

I'd avoid S. of town (called the Island). Flat and boring terrain, sandy soil. Great for truck farming (melons, duh!) and other veggies, but not where I'd want to be - JMHO.

 

[MeanDean]

I lived in muscatine a couple summers. It's a very nice town. The only problem is the smell. Because of that I would live in the QC. The stinky industries (I can't remember what their names are) in muscatine are frequently in violation with the DNR for air quality issues.

GPC. Mostly S. End and Island. Depending on the wind you can smell it miles away, but I don't remember it being too bad most of the time. Not like Cedar Rapids.

 

[no2cyclones]

Check with TallKidIsTall on the QC--he used to live there.

 

[Cyhart]

GPC. Mostly S. End and Island. Depending on the wind you can smell it miles away, but I don't remember it being too bad most of the time. Not like Cedar Rapids.

This. For the most part the smell only affects the South end. You can't smell it down on the island. Most of the time anyway. And yes, the smell isnt too bad most of the time. Its from GPC mostly. Grain Processing Corp.

OP, you might check out Fruitland too. No apartments, but it is a growing little community. Its basically still Muscatine.

I think I'd rather live in Muscatine than the Quad Cities. But, I've never been a big fan of the QC's at all. So, perhaps Im biased.
I believe Muscatine has the most millionaires per capita in the state. Last I knew anyway.
I also echo the sentiment that the North end can be quite decent. And they have really cleaned up the riverfront. Compared to when I was a kid.

 

[is09span]

I am currently in the middle of a co-op with GPC. Yes, we produce that smell. But I lived in the Cobblestone apartments and they were great. The only thing I disliked was that there are no bars near it. The only bars are really down by the river. Here is a link: Cobblestone Apartments | Home

If you know people, or meet people that you work with, that you can hang out with, its really not a bad place to live.

 

[Cyhart]

I am currently in the middle of a co-op with GPC. Yes, we produce that smell. But I lived in the Cobblestone apartments and they were great. The only thing I disliked was that there are no bars near it. The only bars are really down by the river. Here is a link: Cobblestone Apartments | Home

If you know people, or meet people that you work with, that you can hang out with, its really not a bad place to live.

Yep. I think its one of the better mid-sized towns in Iowa. But that's not necessarily saying a lot. ha!

 

[Cyclonetrombone]

From Muscatine originally. Depending on what you want you can find it. Newer family housing areas on the north and northwest. Old mansion style homes on Mulberry and overlooking the river (a few, not so many).

I lived E of town as a teenager. Off to ISU then lived in Davenport for a while, finally ended up in Blue Grass (lots of mid/nice subdivisions and close to QC's, but not much right in the town itself. Be sure to drive up IA 22 to check out housing between Muscatine and QC. Some amazing housing overlooking the river and some on the banks if you're not afraid of flooding (I wouldn't recommend it).

Wildcat Den State park is not too far from Highway 22. It's not a big park but pretty nice with a stream running through, some hiking areas and a restored mill. Lots of memories from there.

I'd avoid S. of town (called the Island). Flat and boring terrain, sandy soil. Great for truck farming (melons, duh!) and other veggies, but not where I'd want to be - JMHO.

From the area as well... Blue grass is a good area (the area between Blue Grass and buffalo provides you with access to both work and a quick drive to the quad cities.)

I'd also say take a look at West Liberty. It is probably 15 minutes from Muscatine and 20 from Iowa City, 40 from the QC (most of which is on 80). Yea, there are Hawks in Iowa city but it also gives you access to the occasional Iowa State sporting event without having to make the 3 hour pilgrimage if funds are tight. Houses are inexpensive but not run down inexpensive like you will find in the QC. Its a population of about 4000 but there are a lot of commuters (early to mid career professionals).

Two biggest bits of advice.

1) Scrap the QC idea as the parts of Davenport that would make the most sense for getting to Muscatine are just on the same (if not worse) levels as Muscatine. This link is not lying, the south side of Davenport is not ideal Davenport IA crime rates and statistics - NeighborhoodScout The commute from the good parts of Bettendorf (not actually a Quad City) or the decent parts of Davenport would make it a 45 to an hour commute pending traffic.

2) I don't think it is on your thoughts but don't live in Illinois when you can live in Iowa.

Just my thoughts (I've been in Texas for a year so who knows if things changed since then (doubt it))

 

[jdoggivjc]

I grew up in Davenport, but I wouldn't recommend you live there if you're going to work in Muscatine. It's not that Davenport is this god-awful place to live, it's that the commute is horrible, especially in the winter.

My brother-in-law used to be a welder at Allsteel while living in northwest Davenport. He absolutely hated the commute, especially during the winter. He was involved in two accidents during his commute, both of which came just short of totaling his car - within one year. One of them was him hitting black ice and flipping his car, the other was obliterating a deer. He was about ready to move to Muscatine until he got a job at John Deere.

Bottom line - if you're going to work in Muscatine, live a lot closer to Muscatine.

 

[klamath632]

I grew up in Davenport, but I wouldn't recommend you live there if you're going to work in Muscatine. It's not that Davenport is this god-awful place to live, it's that the commute is horrible, especially in the winter.

My brother-in-law used to be a welder at Allsteel while living in northwest Davenport. He absolutely hated the commute, especially during the winter. He was involved in two accidents during his commute, both of which came just short of totaling his car - within one year. One of them was him hitting black ice and flipping his car, the other was obliterating a deer. He was about ready to move to Muscatine until he got a job at John Deere.

Bottom line - if you're going to work in Muscatine, live a lot closer to Muscatine.

I'll agree with Jdogg. I grew up in Davenport (went to the same HS as Jdogg) and I loved living there, but it's just too far from Muscatine. And I have to agree with the earlier poster, if you're going to live in Davenport, southwest is the last area I'd choose.

 

[isuno1fan]

I'd live in Des Moines and commute with those choices.

 

[Colossus]

This. For the most part the smell only affects the South end. You can't smell it down on the island. Most of the time anyway. And yes, the smell isnt too bad most of the time. Its from GPC mostly. Grain Processing Corp.

OP, you might check out Fruitland too. No apartments, but it is a growing little community. Its basically still Muscatine.

I think I'd rather live in Muscatine than the Quad Cities. But, I've never been a big fan of the QC's at all. So, perhaps Im biased.
I believe Muscatine has the most millionaires per capita in the state. Last I knew anyway.
I also echo the sentiment that the North end can be quite decent. And they have really cleaned up the riverfront. Compared to when I was a kid.

I think you're thinking of the early 1900's during the pearl-button heyday. How old are you anyway?
Source: former Muskie

 

[jdoggivjc]

I'll agree with Jdogg. I grew up in Davenport (went to the same HS as Jdogg) and I loved living there, but it's just too far from Muscatine. And I have to agree with the earlier poster, if you're going to live in Davenport, southwest is the last area I'd choose.

Actually, I'll disagree with you here. The last place I'd live is just east of Brady south of Locust, followed by just west of Harrison south of Locust, followed by Americana Park. But yeah, I wouldn't want to live in Davenport's Tornado Alley, either.

 

[klamath632]

Actually, I'll disagree with you here. The last place I'd live is just east of Brady south of Locust, followed by just west of Harrison south of Locust, followed by Americana Park. But yeah, I wouldn't want to live in Davenport's Tornado Alley, either.

Opinions vary. =) I did live just west of Harrison south of Locust and had zero problems with the neighborhood. Then again, a few blocks south of us would have been a much different story.

 

[Cyclonetrombone]

I got a laugh looking at SW Davenport on the zoomed in crime map. You can see the cracks in the roads from space... the neighborhood is worse at ground level. There are so many bad parts of Davenport (many have been brought up in here before) it is just not worth risking trying to find a great area. It is like Waterloo Iowa... there are better options so just skip the city all together. That said... it is a massive step up from East Moline or the south parts of Rock Island.

 

[ianoconnor]

Parents live there. I lived there & worked at HNI during the summers while at ISU. Not my favorite place in the world, but there are worse places. Still not pleased by the fact that I worked/interned at HNI for 4 summers and they didn't offer me upon graduation... but it all worked out for the best. SO glad I'm in DSM rather than Muscatine.

 

[NorthCyd]

This. For the most part the smell only affects the South end. You can't smell it down on the island. Most of the time anyway. And yes, the smell isnt too bad most of the time. Its from GPC mostly. Grain Processing Corp.

OP, you might check out Fruitland too. No apartments, but it is a growing little community. Its basically still Muscatine.

I think I'd rather live in Muscatine than the Quad Cities. But, I've never been a big fan of the QC's at all. So, perhaps Im biased.
I believe Muscatine has the most millionaires per capita in the state. Last I knew anyway.
I also echo the sentiment that the North end can be quite decent. And they have really cleaned up the riverfront. Compared to when I was a kid.

Fruitland?! There is seriously a town named Fruitland! LOL! Sounds absolutely FABULOUS!

 

[im4isu]

We moved to Muscatine from Cedar Falls in 2002, back to CF in 2010, then back to Muscatine in 2012. Muscatine is a terrible place to live. I commute to downtown Rock Island for work and it takes about 28 minutes. We live on the north side of the bypass (a nice area) but could not sell our house because we did not want to take a bath. The up side is that it is cheap to live here. You also get the trifecta, bad schools, plenty of crime, and you will not find a lot of other 20 - 30 year old white collar professionals. Check out the lofts or other apartments in downtown Davenport, Moline, or Rock Island. Do not live here, you will hate it if you grew up anywhere decent.