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QC, that’s where we’re made of the Mississippi River and the regional towns and cities it gave birth to. We’re made of our bridges and our island, of the way the landscape looks in spring, and of the late fall sky. Our region brings together two dynamic states and one mighty river in a Midwestern sweet spot of industry and creativity. Our Mississippi River is a stage for downtown life, a port for river cruises, and a backdrop to bike rides, long walks and picnics. It’s every town’s destination for locals and the place every visitor wants to see. Join us to hear the long-told stories of the river, and the curious way it flows east to west flow in the Quad Cities.
The Quad Cities boasts a cost of living that is 11% below the national average. QC, that’s where a one-bedroom loft or three-bedroom two-story on a wooded acre is within reach, whether you’re stepping into your first job in an office or on the shop floor. Here, the money you’re not spending on utility bills, filling your gas tank and sky-high sales tax can be spent to build your dream backyard, a cozy dinner downtown or a night at the symphony. Here in the QC, that’s where each of us thrives and can afford the life we envision.
QC, that’s where you can explore miles of recreation paths through our communities and along the watery edges of the Mississippi River, then stop for a rest in a park to listen to the leaves or children laughing. It’s the roar of a boat motor and splashing water on the Rock River, the silence of a fisherman and a gliding kayak on West Lake. It’s loud cheers and whistles for the little leaguer’s first home run and applause for smashing a successful sand-volleyball spike – from both teams. It’s the beat that fills your soul and the downtown with concert lights and music and the magic of fireflies lighting the night sky. It’s sharing a craft beer or sipping a sample of craft vodka on the distillery floor. It’s watching a landscape artist at work under the summer sun and gabbing with friends over coffee or a four-course meal. QC, that’s where we have more than our fair share of food, festivals and fun.
QC, that’s where we live within a family of communities connected by the storied waters of the Mississippi River. We enjoy downtowns and main streets of character and share an easy rhythm of life. With a pleasing balance of urban, rural and natural, there are so many choices for living and playing. True to the heart of the Midwest, people gather as neighbors and feel like they belong. We share an openness that makes people feel welcomed, valued and respected. We are proud Midwesterners who don’t forget where we came from and who knows where we’re going.
We are building on the legacy of John Deere, a Fortune 100 global giant that stays deeply rooted in the QC and the genesis for countless spinoffs and innovators. QC, that’s where we are home to the architects and engineers who sculpted the new iconic I-74 bridge and the creative, high-tech web developers who capture your attention. Our culinary experts carefully craft each plate in which you’re served, and our small business owners fill shelves with the home-grown, the unique and one-of-a-kind. From violinists to bass guitarists, musicians fill our community with crescendos and artists capture and share the magic of every day – the fight of an eagle or a flowering bloom – in paint, photographs and graphic design. QC, that’s where a creative current inspires and encompasses all of us.
People living in larger cities can spend an hour or more driving to and from work. Not here. In the QC, that’s where your average commute is a mere 16 minutes. Dropping the kids off at school or running out for a loaf of bread is just as quick. Our communities are seamlessly woven together, which provides a unique ease of access no matter where you’re going. You can spend the time you save doing other things like enjoying a concert with friends or riding along the mighty Mississippi.
QC, that’s where travel time is compressed into hours, not days. From here, you can take a day trip to visit family or attend a class reunion for a quick weekend. Life is great in the QC, but if you want to take a longer getaway it’s easy to do.
Want to learn more about QC? We invite you to explore job opportunities in the region, hear from those who have boomeranged back and what they love about our region, check out stats about the Quad Cities area and visit our partners at Visit Quad Cities for more lifestyle information.
