Alright, Military spouse here. With a population of 60,412, Great Falls is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Let me know your thoughts. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
9 upvotes
27 Replies
tampamama2020
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 4 years. Moved from Seattle for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Grace Sanchez
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 6 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to public transit but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
oakland_aubrey
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
29 upvotes
Zoey M.
Moved here from Nashville about 3 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to nightlife but Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Maverick Bennett
+1
26 upvotes
William M.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Genesis White
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely average and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Fairview) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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
Alice Brown
Came here for retirement and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The healthcare is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
Sarah Nguyen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Isabella M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 14 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Gabriella
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely hit or miss and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Sunset) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
16 upvotes
Connor W.
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
15 upvotes
Gabriella Wright
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
13 upvotes
Brooks F.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
chill_aria5
I've lived in Riverside for about 2 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 Atlanta, I was surprised by housing market. 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 healthcare scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Waylon Flores
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The job market is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Naomi Jackson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Hannah Anderson
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Highland area are average. Kids love it here.
10 upvotes
Parker Torres
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Eastside area are underrated. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Grace Young
it depends on the neighborhood
7 upvotes
Luke Reed
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Cedar Grove area are decent. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Philip C.
I've lived in Fairview for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- The healthcare scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Claire King
hmm interesting perspective
5 upvotes
Jace Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 24, moved here 12 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Downtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Portland, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
4 upvotes
Adam Davis
Moved here from Miami about 4 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to healthcare but Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Hazel Cooper
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from San Diego about 6 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Definitely worth checking out..
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