I've been here for 10 years and The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $63,934 in Great Falls. It's a a smaller city city with about 60,412 people. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What do you all think? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to.
30 upvotes
16 Replies
Wesley Torres
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is solid in most areas.
40 upvotes
Bennett H.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
39 upvotes
Cooper Kim
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
William R.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Genesis Bailey
lol so true
30 upvotes
Jordan Hughes
not my experience at all
27 upvotes
Marie G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 13 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into running, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Violet Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 13 years. Moved from Phoenix for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are tough. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited entertainment options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Cooper Foster
facts
17 upvotes
Ian
not my experience at all
17 upvotes
Valentina Wood
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
nashville_hunter
as a local I can confirm
6 upvotes
sdchef2023
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Claire M.
following this thread
3 upvotes
Aaliyah C.
thanks for sharing
0 upvotes
Andrew Jimenez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 13 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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