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Dylan Miller moving

Moving to Billings — what should I know?

So, Just moved here 3 months ago and Homes are going for about $311,800 on average. It's a a mid-size city city with about 118K people. You can expect to pay around $1,097 for rent here. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What are your go-to spots? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to.
60 upvotes

24 Replies

Bella L.
couldn't agree more
40 upvotes
Victoria P.
hmm interesting perspective
39 upvotes
Henry Hernandez
I work in marketing here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is pretty good. Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Lillian Rogers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in South for 13 years. Moved from Denver for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.

**Employment:**
finance is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Sophie Roberts
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.

I've been here 13 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is hit or miss.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Avery Jones
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a writer who relocated here from Denver about 3 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.

Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening

Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options

Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is decent.

Socially, I love the pace of life here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Michael E.
big facts right here
24 upvotes
Carter Flores
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
22 upvotes
Connor Hernandez
honestly same experience here
22 upvotes
Paisley Evans
glad someone said it
21 upvotes
Henry
accurate
19 upvotes
Nova Turner
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much wild but now it's average.
18 upvotes
Connor Foster
thanks for sharing
17 upvotes
Lillian Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a marketing manager, 52, moved here 5 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Sunset and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.

**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
14 upvotes
Bruce W.
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The dating scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Ariana Harris
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Jameson B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a electrician, 38, moved here 1 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Downtown and Fairview, 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. Four distinct seasons
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. Road conditions need improvement
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Seattle, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
11 upvotes
Theodore Lewis
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great BBQ places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
10 upvotes
nashville_hunter
100%
9 upvotes
Michael Wright
this is the way
7 upvotes
Allison Parker
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The school system is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Daniel James
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Isabella Turner
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Caleb Hill
literally same
0 upvotes
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