Anyone else feel this way? We're a young couple and Median household income is $63,934, which feels about average for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Great Falls sits at 515.0 per 100K. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Anyone in a similar situation? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
2 upvotes
16 Replies
Helen W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
39 upvotes
Allison
wish I knew this sooner
38 upvotes
Sophia
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (West) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
33 upvotes
Nevaeh M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is average in most areas.
30 upvotes
Nevaeh C.
I've lived in Old Town for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The community vibe scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Amelia Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Phoenix about 6 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is solid.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Owen
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
21 upvotes
Luca Adams
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Theodore
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Thai places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
18 upvotes
Everly Smith
Bought a house here in 2024 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
17 upvotes
Brielle J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Roman Wood
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
15 upvotes
Robert Robinson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
tucson_camila
Moved here last year, no regrets.
9 upvotes
Lucy Morris
hard disagree but ok
6 upvotes
Hudson Cook
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Uptown) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
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