I relocated for work and Household incomes average around $71,855 in Billings. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development.
17 upvotes
30 Replies
Christian T.
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor recreation is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Alice Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Leah Myers
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
35 upvotes
Katherine Torres
big facts right here
35 upvotes
Ezra Young
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
33 upvotes
Sadie Martin
I've lived in Fairview for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- The public transit scene is tough
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Aurora Edwards
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Madelyn Green
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely improving and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Midtown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
31 upvotes
Ariana Williams
Bought a house here in 2022 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
30 upvotes
Sophia Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Valentina Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 45, moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Riverside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
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. Property taxes are high
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
28 upvotes
Alice Martinez
preach
26 upvotes
Greyson Sanchez
I work in consulting here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is solid. Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Brielle Cox
bump
20 upvotes
Leah Ward
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
19 upvotes
Samuel R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
kckid2023
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 8 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - we have beaches 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 better than expected. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Ariana Hill
preach
16 upvotes
Savannah Collins
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Chicago it's improving.
15 upvotes
Nevaeh Hall
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 11 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
George G.
couldn't agree more
14 upvotes
Ian Peterson
noted, appreciate it
13 upvotes
Delilah Lopez
100%
11 upvotes
Lucy M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 8 years. Moved from Austin for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is decent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are excellent. 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. Dating scene is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Joshua Long
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
Ellie M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Parker
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Asian places. the quality of life is solid.
6 upvotes
John W.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The weather is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
3 upvotes
Eva
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
1 upvotes
Isabelle W.
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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