Household incomes average around $71,855 in Billings. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I overthinking this? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
55 upvotes
25 Replies
Isaiah Brooks
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
38 upvotes
Jack Carter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is tough.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Ryan R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 34, moved here 14 years ago from New York. I've lived in Sunset and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 New York, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
38 upvotes
Jordan Brown
wish I knew this sooner
38 upvotes
Emma Hughes
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
36 upvotes
Waylon H.
hmm interesting perspective
35 upvotes
Piper C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 11 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Ezekiel Torres
hard disagree but ok
31 upvotes
Luca Lewis
I've lived in The Heights for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
- The weather scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Joseph Reed
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
27 upvotes
Alexa J.
hmm interesting perspective
26 upvotes
Vivian Walker
thanks for sharing
26 upvotes
Caleb Jackson
interesting, hadn't considered that
23 upvotes
Nora Morgan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 12 years. Moved from Austin for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is average - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Weston J.
I'm a HR manager and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Naomi R.
literally same
20 upvotes
Austin Carter
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely decent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
20 upvotes
Levi Myers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 2 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Luca King
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Olivia H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 24, moved here 2 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Greenfield and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Portland, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
12 upvotes
Benjamin Phillips
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Greyson Rodriguez
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The dating scene is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Donna H.
following this thread
9 upvotes
Kai Gonzalez
100%
6 upvotes
orlandoguy2022
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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