With a population of 118K, Billings is a mid-size city. Average temperature is around 49°F, so expect cold winters. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What are your go-to spots? Thanks! People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much.
60 upvotes
13 Replies
Allison Turner
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to San Francisco it's average.
39 upvotes
Victoria C.
this is the way
34 upvotes
Aiden Wright
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
32 upvotes
Ellie
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 44, moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Eastside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
29 upvotes
Katherine B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in finance. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Sophia T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 34, moved here 9 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Uptown and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited shopping options
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Chicago, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
20 upvotes
Eva Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 54, moved here 6 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Oak Park and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
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. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. challenging 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 Charlotte, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
20 upvotes
Sarah A.
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
12 upvotes
charlotte_heart
I'm a lawyer and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
isla_living
I'm a chef and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
9 upvotes
Maverick Richardson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
jayden_vibes
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much pricey but now it's excellent.
5 upvotes
Gabriel
Moved here from Baltimore about 4 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to community vibe but No regrets on my end..
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