Bettendorf

Along a bend of the Mississippi River at the northeastern corner of the Midwest’s “Quad Cities” region, Bettendorf, Iowa – which calls itself “a Premier City” – has a long and unique history reflected in its diversity of housing styles, its landmarks, and even its well-established casino industry. In recent years, downtown Bettendorf has experienced a revival with the conversion of Grant Street into a two-way street due to its proximity to the new Interstate 74 bridge over the Mississippi River. This commercial corridor, now connected to the other regional hub of Moline by bridge, is the beating heart of this rising city. Realtor Alex Skeen of eXp Realty says, “Bettendorf is an up-and-coming city, and many people want to come here because of that,” he said. “We’re getting a lot of new housing development, so if you’re looking for new builds, look at Bettendorf as an option.” Along with the expansion of housing, Bettendorf’s riverside downtown area features every amenity, from shops and schools to parks and parkways. Downtown Bettendorf is best known for its shopping, dining, and riverside views. “There are all kinds of restaurants going on,” says Skeen. “And this is the place to be, as far as the Quad Cities go.” The highly-rated Yoso Modern Japanese serves sushi in an establishment with an upbeat and trendy vibe. Stacks Pancake House is a popular spot for a hearty breakfast in a casual sit-down restaurant. Residents can grab groceries at Hy-Vee and Aldi supermarkets, just 3 miles northeast of the neighborhood. Shopping is also incredibly easy, as downtown Bettendorf borders major shopping centers such as the Duck Creek Plaza, which features big-name stores such as Burlington and Home Depot. Laid out in a grid, Downtown Bettendorf cradles the Mississippi River to its south, with Interstate 74 and U.S. Route 67 intersecting the middle of the neighborhood. Mature oaks and maple trees line the streets, creating a canopy of shade over the narrow sidewalks of the residential area. Homes vary in style, from stately Colonial Revivals to ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and contemporary new builds. Downtown Bettendorf’s homes sell for between $130,000 to $300,000 for a two-bedroom, two-bath, while four-bedroom homes tend to go for $300,000 to $600,000. On Bettendorf’s vibrant housing market, Skeen says, “They’re always updating this town and putting money into it, and the city is investing in itself to bring in more people.” Nature lovers can walk along the bending Mississippi River at Leach Park, which sits beside the Mississippi River Bridge and its “Oculus” viewing section. Additionally, the 7-mile-long Riverfront Trail runs through this park and along the Iowan side of the Quad Cities region. Known locally as “Rocket Park,” McManus Park features a space-themed playground, picnic shelters, a basketball court and a tennis court. The Isle Casino Hotel, located along the Mississippi River, offers a luxurious experience, while a riverboat casino moored at its dock provides visitors with some gambling and gaming options entertainment. Downtown Bettendorf lies at the intersection of the major thoroughfares of Interstate 74, U.S. Route 67 and U.S. Route 6. Commuters to Davenport and other Quad Cities employment centers have access to a vast bus network, while every one of the Quad Cities is located within a 5-mile commute. Bettendorf Transit consists of three fixed routes. All buses come with bicycle racks and lifts for wheelchair accessibility. Downtown Bettendorf also provides connections to Davenport and Rock Island through Citibus and MetroLink. For longer-distance travel, the Quad Cities International Airport is 6 miles south of the neighborhood with direct service to 11 destinations via four airlines. The Bettendorf Community School District serves the residents of Downtown Bettendorf. Students can begin their education at Mark Twain Elementary School, which received a B-plus on Niche. They can continue their education at Bettendorf Middle School and Bettendorf High School, which scored an A-minus on Niche. Bettendorf High is among the highest-rated schools in the state, consistently ranking among the top 15 schools for college prep and athletics.

Bettendorf, the youngest of Illinois and Iowa’s “Quad Cities,” is known for its increasingly vibrant downtown area, its vintage housing, and its combination of rural and urban feels due to its varied geography. Southern Bettendorf’s Edgewood District expresses the full extent of this diversity within its compact boundaries. Homes built in the 1940s and 1950s line quiet residential streets just around the corner from downtown Bettendorf, while residents have easy access to a wealth of nature along the Duck Creek Trail and at nearby parks. The Edgewood District reflects Bettendorf’s own housing-market history; dozens of older bungalow and ranch-style homes sit beside newer construction, including 1990s-built Cape Cods. This variety can be explained by Bettendorf’s gradual transition from a blue-collar industrial town in the postwar years to a growing center of retail and restaurants in the recently revitalized Quad Cities region. The homes of postwar American Dreamers offer aspiring Edgewood homebuyers a relatively welcoming price range of $225,000-$340,000, while newer houses sell for between $400,000 and $675,000. While Edgewood features a diversity of lot sizes and home styles, residents can count on living along tree-shaded suburban streets complete with sidewalks and small front-lawn areas, creating a more neighborly feel for this community. Local Keller Williams Realtor and longtime Bettendorf resident Lauren Underwood says, “Homes here are nestled in quiet cul-de-sacs within walking distance from local parks and bike paths. You’re only minutes away from schools, restaurants, and shopping, so houses here go fast.” Edgewood may consist almost entirely of homes, but a small concentration of businesses along Central Avenue offers amenities from a local bar to a barbershop and a gas station. Central Avenue Tap has been a mainstay for Edgewood’s loyal clientele; between this bar’s “Taco Tuesday” events and its pool tables, Central Avenue Tap offers a relaxed atmosphere for locals to kick back at after work. The shopping and restaurant scene of downtown Bettendorf is just a mile southwest of Edgewood, offering a more comprehensive array of amenities from the local convention center and casino to brand-name restaurants and the locally famous K&K Hardware & Lumber Store. Grocery trips are made easy due to Edgewood’s proximity to the nearest Hy-Vee Grocery Store and Walgreens pharmacy, both of which sit just 2 miles to the north at the Glenroads Center shopping plaza. What sets Edgewood apart from other neighborhoods near Bettendorf’s downtown area is its immediate proximity to parks. In addition to local bike lanes, this neighborhood borders the playground and walking trails at Hollow View Park and the wooded paths of Veterans Memorial Park, while also containing a small green space at Wessel Park. Edgewood Park offers an extensive array of amenities offering fun outdoor adventures to local kids; in addition to a jungle gym and swing set, this green space also includes a baseball field and a basketball court for the athletically inclined, as well as grassy fields on which to play field sports or simply frolic under the sun. Students attend a school district rated highly by Niche, including the B-minus-rated Neil Armstrong Elementary School, the A-minus-rated Bettendorf Middle School, and the A-minus-rated Bettendorf High School, which features some of the strongest athletics and college prep programs in the state. With downtown accessible within a short drive or walk, and the cultural hub of Davenport just 5 miles down the road, Edgewood residents have prime access to the major urban centers of the Quad Cities.

Located at a junction of Bettendorf’s downtown, central and industrial sections, the Stensvad District offers a combination of all three living experiences within its compact boundaries. Bettendorf’s dining scene is just a few blocks away, while vintage housing and the presence of riverfront industry recall Bettendorf’s long history. The Stensvad District may be named for Ray Stensvad, a former superintendent of schools, whose name was also lent to the local school district’s administration center. This part of town has more in common with the neighboring industrial town of Riverdale than the rest of Bettendorf; factories line the riverfront, just as they did during Bettendorf’s post-World War II industrial boom. Today, the Cargill AG Horizons grain elevator, a U.S. Oil terminal, the Buckeye Terminals wholesaler, the Lincoln Electric Automation manufacturer, and several other industries operate from the section of town south of Highway 67, providing local employment. The Stensvad District’s housing is composed primarily of vintage housing such as ranch, colonial, and Craftsman-style homes, with most of these residences being built from the 1940s to 1950s as Bettendorf became an industrial center. The Stensvad District’s residential streets branch off from Central Avenue, and many homes have vast front lawns and sizable driveways. Some streets are shaded by thick foliage, providing shade to residents as they stroll down their block. Homes vary in price from $100,000 to $300,000, with newer construction adding greater diversity to this neighborhood’s home prices and lifestyles. This neighborhood’s location next to downtown Bettendorf puts residents within a few blocks of this city’s growing dining and retail scenes, while the surrounding area is also home to a small selection of local bars, music shops, liquor stores and even a Hardee’s restaurant. Realtor Alex Skeen says of this neighborhood’s nearby amenities, “You have a Hy-Vee grocery store, a great facility to get a lot of vegetables and your general groceries.” This supermarket is easily accessible within a 2.5-mile drive up Devils Glen Road, as is the local AutoZone, Walgreens and several chain restaurants. Skeen adds, “For family entertainment, the Family Museum is a great option for you, while, downtown, you have Stacks Pancake House for breakfast, Yoso for Japanese food, the Riverside Grille and a bunch of different options.” Within the Stensvad District, foodies can visit Teriyaki Madness to try its “Asian fusion” rice and noodle bowls, while Central Avenue Tap offers a relaxing atmosphere with its burgers, beers and lounge environment. Even home maintenance is made easy by 1-mile proximity to a fixture of the community. Skeen says, “If you want to do some home improvement, K&K Hardware is an old standby, with just about everything you can need, plus some. They have a very loyal customer base, and, if you grew up here, you definitely know what K&K is.” The Stensvad District is also home to two parks, Lincoln Park and Sunny Crest Park. Lincoln Park is home to a splash pad for summer cooldowns, as well as to a playground serving this neighborhood’s youths year-round. Sunny Crest Park, located in a grassy lot next to the Parks & Recreation building, has its own playground and picnic shelter, as well as an open field for frolicking and a basketball court for testing your free throw. Bettendorf is known for its outstanding public education; Niche gives the district an “A-minus” rating, while the Stensvad District’s students attend the B-minus-rated Neil Armstrong Elementary School, the A-minus-rated Bettendorf Middle School and the A-minus-rated Bettendorf High School. Bettendorf High has consistently ranked among the top 10 schools for athletes in the state of Iowa, as well as among the top 15 college prep high schools. With direct access to Highway 67 and proximity to Bettendorf’s downtown area, Stensvad District residents are ideally situated for travel throughout Bettendorf and the Quad Cities region.