I work in finance and With a population of 118K, Billings is a mid-size city. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Let me know your thoughts. Any help is appreciated. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
cooper_kid
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Westside area are decent. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Nova Clark
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 2 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Midtown schools are decent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Homeless population growing downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Jacob Davis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Atlanta about 14 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Emilia Adams
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
31 upvotes
Levi Torres
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
sacramentovibes2022
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
29 upvotes
Maverick Gray
+1
25 upvotes
Piper Hill
interesting, hadn't considered that
22 upvotes
Charlotte Wright
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Ruby Reed
big facts right here
16 upvotes
Ava Lewis
hmm interesting perspective
11 upvotes
Waylon
noted, appreciate it
10 upvotes
Brielle Flores
Bought a house here in 2020 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
3 upvotes
Hazel Cooper
yep
2 upvotes
Dominic Morgan
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Charlotte about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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