Hi all, I work in insurance and With a population of 60,412, Great Falls is a smaller city. You can expect to pay around $866 for rent here. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Has anyone dealt with this? Appreciate any input.
29 upvotes
14 Replies
Kennedy H.
Used to live on the South side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
39 upvotes
miamichef2020
big facts right here
37 upvotes
Aria Diaz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Miami 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 Oak Park. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Isabelle James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 44, moved here 14 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Old Town and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
23 upvotes
Angel Lopez
facts
22 upvotes
Scarlett C.
lol so true
22 upvotes
jose_guy
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Clara Patel
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely average and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Midtown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
20 upvotes
Colton Edwards
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The food scene is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
austin_delilah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in consulting. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like sushi.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Colton Collins
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The healthcare is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
lalocal2025
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely challenging and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Springfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
14 upvotes
Brooks R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 6 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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