The good and bad of living in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
The median home value here is around $209,700, which is actually reasonable. It's a a small town city with about 9,512 people. The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. What do you all think? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
3 upvotes
13 Replies
William M.
yep
40 upvotes
Sophia W.
seconding this
37 upvotes
Melanie
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 51, moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Francisco, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
34 upvotes
Elena T.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Houston it's solid.
30 upvotes
denver_logan
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is improving in most areas.
28 upvotes
Aiden S.
been saying this for years
26 upvotes
Ellie Long
wish I knew this sooner
18 upvotes
Hudson S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely pretty good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Springfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
15 upvotes
Brielle M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 3 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Lillian
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
8 upvotes
Aaliyah Miller
same here
4 upvotes
orlandodude2024
facts
4 upvotes
Aaron Lee
I've lived in Westside for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The nightlife scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
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