Hey, I'm a college student here and Crime rate is something to consider -Helena sits at 96.1 per 100K. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development.
12 upvotes
12 Replies
Henry Rivera
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
real_emma90
great question, following
31 upvotes
Madeline Myers
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: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Nevaeh
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Dominic Reyes
hmm interesting perspective
17 upvotes
Abigail Davis
hard disagree but ok
15 upvotes
columbusvibes2022
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's been a really good experience overall.
13 upvotes
Savannah R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Nashville about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Beverly P.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much growing but now it's decent.
5 upvotes
Harper Robinson
couldn't agree more
4 upvotes
Emmett Foster
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
2 upvotes
Cora
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 34, moved here 11 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Pine Hills and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. hit or miss 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
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