Anyone else feel this way? Been living here since 2008. Household incomes average around $64,286 in Helena. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What are your go-to spots? Thanks in advance! There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up.
7 upvotes
10 Replies
James G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Waylon Murphy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 11 years. Moved from Seattle for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. engineering 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are hit or miss. 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 very walkable outside downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Jayden Gutierrez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from LA about 3 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Jose W.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The housing market is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Weston Diaz
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Xavier Martinez
+1
19 upvotes
Thomas C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Nova Patel
seconding this
11 upvotes
Leah Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from San Francisco 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 Westside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Josiah Brooks
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Highland) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
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