Posts from September 2022

If you're planning to move to Iowa (or stumbled upon this blog while looking up fun things to do as you pass through the state), we've got you covered! Iowa offers a wide range of experiences for every kind of person, from adventurers and history buffs to foodies and art enthusiasts. Here is a list of the top things to do in Iowa, from border to border.

For the Adventurers

Lace up your hiking boots and add more snacks to your backpack—it's time for an adventure!  We've picked a few beautiful state parks and trails you can head off to:

• Maquoketa...

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So, you've decided to move to the Quad Cities—great choice! Did you know that it's been consistently voted onto the "Best Places to Live," "Best Places to Retire," and is ranked #4 in "Cheapest Places to Live" lists? But that's not all:

1. Yes, the overall cost of living is one of the lowest in the country, but the quality of life also ranks higher than the national average.
2. The average community time is less than 20 minutes. While most people in the Quad Cities area can easily get from point A to point B using their own car, if you live on the Illinois side of the region, the MetroLINK bus system is consistently mentioned as one of the country's best, hosting around 10,000 riders a day! (It was named as one of the three best public transportation systems in the country by The American Public Transportation Association.)
3. There are two award-winning local healthcare systems that are within just one hour of a nationally recognized university research hospital.
4. The Quad Cities are home to a variety of innovative and superior K-12 schools, colleges, and universities.
5. Last, but certainly not least, competitively priced housing options including lofts, new and historic homes, and new construction in urban, suburban, and rural settings.

The Quad Cities are the largest metropolitan area on the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and St. Louis. They are located just three hours from Chicago and two and a half hours from Iowa's capital city, Des Moines. With so many affordable homes for sale throughout the Quad Cities (both on the Iowa and Illinois sides) paired with its bustling scenes for just about every interest, it's no wonder why so many people are choosing to relocate to this beautiful region—it truly has it all. Let the experts at Ruhl&Ruhl be your guide to relocating to the Quad Cities. Learn more about the region, housing options in the Quad Cities, and more.

What are the Quad Cities?

First things first—let us officially welcome you to the midwest! We promise that it's not just farmland and corn fields (although we take pride in both). The Quad Cities span across two states—Illinois and Iowa—sharing the mighty Mississippi River in between. The cities and counties within the region encompass a thriving community of about 400,000 people (and counting!). This prosperous bi-state region has something for everyone, whether you're looking to join the workforce right out of college, ready to settle down, nearing retirement, or a young professional setting off on a new career path. The Quad Cities are made up of six counties (Clinton, Muscatine, and Scott Counties in Iowa; and Henry, Mercer, and Rock Island Counties in Illinois) and five cities (Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline, East Moline, and Rock Island). Each city has its very own personality, too.

Which States Make up the Quad Cities

Something you should probably know before you settle in: The "Quad Cities" is actually a misnomer. Before World War II, the area was actually known as the "Tri-Cities," which included only Davenport, Rock Island, and Moline. As Rock Island County began to grow (almost exponentially), East Moline was eventually given equal status as its very own city, and the region became known as the "Quad Cities" in the early 1960s. By the 1970s, Bettendorf took in East Moline's footsteps, and residents in the community began to discuss adopting the name "The Quint Cities" to honor that. But, as you can guess, the name didn't really stick. Bettendorf eventually passed East Moline in size and is part of the reason it's often "forgotten" on the Quad Cities "quad" list—often being combined with Moline proper.

Group of friends talking and laughing on the beach[/caption] While each city offers residents a taste of just about everything, each one also has its own character:

1. Davenport: The largest city within the Quad Cities and home to a lively riverfront and exciting downtown area.
2. Bettendorf: A family-friendly area that has a more residential vibe.
3. Moline and East Moline: The retail, art, and civic hub of the Quad Cities and very close to the John Deere company (it started here after all!). Pro-tip for new residents: try to remember that East Moline, although often bundled with Moline, is its very own city! Residents often joke about how articles will exclude it when referring to the Quad Cities.
4. Rock Island: Home to the Rock Island Arsenal and many government focused jobs. Rock Island Arsenal is the largest government-owned weapons manufacturing arsenal in the United States, but that's not all it's known for. The District, a vibrant entertainment neighborhood, is host to many exciting events and draws residents and visitors from all over the bi-state area.

The best part of moving to a combination of cities is that when it comes to picking your perfect living situation, you actually can! The artist in you will feel right at home in Moline and East Moline; Coal Valley is perfect if you're looking for a quieter life; and if you want to dance the night away, Bettendorf, Rock Island, and Davenport downtowns are where you'll want to be. Head to the community pages above to learn more about housing options, listings, job opportunities, and more. Ruhl&Ruhl offices are located at the bottom of each page. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have!

What to Do in the Quad Cities

With brewing scenes, art scenes, casinos, river cruises, and green spaces that draw outdoor recreationists from all over, there are so many things to do and even more to see. Outdoor Being located so close to the biggest river in North America certainly has its perks! With kayaking, fishing, boating, canoeing, beaches, and more, the outdoor recreation here is endless. The Quad Cities are covered with top-notch parks, outdoor recreational and scenic spaces, and hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking, and walking. In fact, bike races in the area really can't be compared to anywhere else in the country. Check out the Quad Cities Marathon, Trinity Quad Cities Classic Regatta, Bix 7 Road Race, and the Quad Cities Criterium bike race.

For resident sports fans, The John Deere Classic PGA Tour draws crowds from all over. The region is even home to its own sports teams: the minor league Quad City Storm hockey team, the minor league Quad Cities River Bandits baseball team, and the Quad City Steamwheelers indoor football team. There's also a Monster Jam! In the winter, residents love to tube at Snowstar park or head to Michael's Fun World for some good ol' fashion arcade games. Arts & Culture The Quad Cities region is home to award-winning museums, learning centers, diverse cultural festivals and events, robust art, culture, and theater scenes as well as lively sports and entertainment scenes. The art scene throughout the Quad Cities is actually nationally known. The Figge and the Bucktown neighborhood (home to the Bucktown Center for the Arts) in Davenport are must-sees, offering fine art from all over the country. Don't forget to check out the Quad City Symphony Orchestra or the nationally-acclaimed Ballet Quad Cities which often partners with the Orchestra Iowa.

The Taxslayer is also very well known for bringing touring musical acts from all around the country, as well as the Rust Belt in East Moline. Blues and jazz festivals are also very popular in the summer months (on both sides of the river), so you can enjoy a drink, the inspiring sounds, and the weather. The Putnam Museum and Science Center is perfect for some family fun all year long. Other awesome places to visit include the following:

1. The QC Botanical Garden
2. The Adler Theatre
3. The Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse
4. The Planetarium in Augustana
5. Moline's Bass Street Landing
6. The John Deere Pavilion

Food & Drinks Home to a creative food landscape with restaurants, food trucks, craft breweries, distilleries and vineyards at just about every corner. As agriculture is one of the original industries in the area, you can bet that farm-fresh food is pretty much guaranteed (as well as a farmer's market just about every weekend) at any restaurant you visit.

The area is aimed at green innovation and high-quality food production. Area supermarkets are consistently voted as some of the cleanest, offering top-notch meat, produce, kind employees, and incredibly affordable prices.

1. Head to Whitey's for the perfect malt (all year long).
2. Visit Front Street Brewery for handcrafted brews, tours, delicious bites and the outdoor beer garden.
3. Mark your calendars for Gumbo Ya Ya in Rock Island. It's basically the Quad Cities' Mardi Gras. Held in The District in Rock Island, it celebrates Cajun culture with food, drinks, music, and more for two straight days in June on the Great River Plaza.

The QC is Where Memories are Made

We are thrilled to welcome you to this exciting community! While we tried to touch on everything we could, there is still SO much more to explore throughout the Quad Cities. Whether you're doing research on what city suits you best or you're ready to buy and settle into this vibrant region, give the experts at Ruhl&Ruhl a call. We can help you find the perfect home in the perfect city, at the perfect price.

Iowa's friendly people, low crime rates, affordable homes, and small-town atmosphere make it a highly desirable place to put roots down—but one of its biggest and most sought-after draws? The staggering natural scenery. When it comes to outdoor recreation, Iowa has expansive State Parks that attract adventurers from all over. Whether you're looking for something mellow for the whole family or you're itching to test out those new hiking boots you just bought on a trail, shall we say, a little more off the beaten path? There is a park, a peak, and a picnic table waiting just for you right in your backyard. While you explore Iowa real estate and the many homes for sale in the area, don't forget to take into account the beautiful parks, lakes, trails, and paths that will surround your new home, you just have to pick your landscape!

Learn More about the Iowa State Parks System

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When it comes to living in Bettendorf, Iowa, the list of things to do and places to go is endless! One of the best perks of living here, though? The 24 parks, 36 miles of trails and bike lanes, 19 ballfields, and ample greenspace that Bettendorf offers its residents. This place has everything you need to stay active and enjoy the great outdoors in the best way possible.

With excellent schools, a thriving community, and of course, its prime location as part of the Quad Cities (or QC), Bettendorf truly has it all. Learn more about Bettendorf's parks, bike paths, and why so many people are choosing to live in...

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