Hey everyone, I've been here for 19 years and Median household income is $63,934, which feels about average for the area. Household incomes average around $63,934 in Great Falls. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Is this normal for Great Falls? It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
6 upvotes
24 Replies
logan_walker
Came here for family and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The food scene is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
40 upvotes
Elijah
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
40 upvotes
Madelyn Garcia
following this thread
37 upvotes
Jaxon M.
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
32 upvotes
Sophia Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Elena F.
interesting, hadn't considered that
32 upvotes
Lucas Torres
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Dallas about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Sarah Morales
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Westside area are underrated. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Matthew
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Nashville about 3 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
sd_leo
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Ava Ramos
been saying this for years
23 upvotes
Lucy Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Uptown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
23 upvotes
Bennett H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 11 years. Moved from New York for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. hospitality 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is improving - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield 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. Limited public transit options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system 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.
22 upvotes
Kinsley W.
honestly same experience here
22 upvotes
Carter Wilson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 8 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
proud_landon80
I've lived in Highland for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Affordable housing options
- The traffic scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
kayden_heart
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
17 upvotes
Addison Hughes
Came here for family and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The healthcare is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Peyton Anderson
I've lived in East for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
- The walkability scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Joshua Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 11 years. Moved from Raleigh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are improving. 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 shopping options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Lori E.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
Vivian Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
2 upvotes
Hunter Ward
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
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