Milan

With a neighborly vibe that feels as peaceful as its name sounds, Ginger Hill is an ideal neighborhood for Quad Cities residents looking for a quieter lifestyle. “It’s a really quiet, laid-back neighborhood,” says Garret Upton, a local real estate agent with the Nolting Team at RE/MAX Concepts Bettendorf. “It has a small-town feel even though it butts up to everything else in the Quad Cities. Everywhere you want to go is within 15 minutes.” Ginger Hill is south of Interstate 280 in Milan, on the southern edges of the Quad Cities. Residents enjoy the relaxed neighborhood features like mature trees and local parks. Major roads nearby make it easy to get to work or spend a day in the larger cities like Davenport and Rock Island.<br><br>Ranch-style homes line the quiet neighborhood streets of Ginger Hill. There are some split-level houses as well. Most homes have good-sized yards where homeowners can play with their dogs or host friends and family for a backyard cookout. Houses are close enough together to feel like a suburban neighborhood but have enough room between them to give residents privacy. Built-in garages are more common in this neighborhood than other parts of Milan. Mature trees provide plenty of shade throughout the area. Ginger Hill is slightly more expensive than other parts of Milan. Two-bedroom homes can cost between $90,000 and $220,000. Three-bedroom houses range from $120,000 to $230,000.<br><br>Students in Ginger Hill will likely attend Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Edison Junior High School and Rock Island High School. Thomas Jefferson Elementary is conveniently located in the heart of the neighborhood, a walkable distance from many homes. The junior high school is rated a C-plus by Niche, while the elementary and high schools each receive B-minus ratings. Rock Island High has about 1,800 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18-to-1. Students can play for the state championship-winning softball and basketball teams. The school’s speech team has won the sectional competition 11 years in a row.<br><br>Ginger Hill residents have convenient access to multiple public parks. “There’s a Little League field over there, so a lot of people walk over and play pickup games or watch pickup games. It’s pretty close to Camden Park, which is the largest park in town. They do really big fireworks every year, so a lot of people in the neighborhood sit out in their front yard and watch the fireworks,” says Upton. The Little League fields are located on 4th Street and include three different-sized fields for various age groups. Camden Park is just south of Rock Island-Milan Parkway and includes several picnic shelters, playgrounds and softball fields. The park is also home to disc golf courses. Residents interested in a long walk or bike ride can visit the Hennepin Canal State Trail, part of a 104-mile linear park across the state. Locals can access the mixed-use trail on Big Island Road on the north side of Milan. The scenic trail runs alongside the canal and can be used for hiking, biking or running.<br><br>Upton recommends Benny’s Pizza for a local meal. The pizzeria on Hillcrest Road is just south of Ginger Hill and has indoor and outdoor seating. Locals enjoy the Quad City-style pizza, which includes toppings under the cheese and pizzas cut into strips instead of slices. Residents can shop for groceries at Hy-Vee Grocery Store, just north of the neighborhood on 10th Avenue. Locals can pick up specialty meats at Meatheads Meat Market, known for its more than 50 varieties of bratwurst and sausages. Other stores in the area include Dollar Tree, Walgreens and CVS.<br><br>Despite being on the edges of the Quad Cities region, Ginger Hill gives residents a convenient commute. Highway 67 takes residents north to Rock Island, 5.5 miles away. Davenport, Iowa is just 7.5 miles north of the neighborhood. Several bus stops in the area give residents a route north if they prefer to use public transit. Interstate 280 is just north of the neighborhood and bypasses the metro region to connect to Interstate 80, giving residents an easy commute out of town. Locals will also have a quick drive to Quad Cities International Airport, just 4.5 miles to the east. Ginger Hill residents are also close to major employers, with the John Deere Parts Distribution Center just 2.5 miles from the neighborhood. The John Deere Harvester Works plant is 13 miles away in East Moline.