Cost of living reality check -Helena Valley Southeast
Not sure if this has been asked before, but I grew up here but left for a while. The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 9,533 people. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Any advice would be great.
13 upvotes
12 Replies
Charlotte Mendoza
Used to live on the West side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
39 upvotes
Ryan Cox
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Mackenzie Ortiz
great question, following
27 upvotes
Adeline Gomez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Southern.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Benjamin G.
I work in legal here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is tough. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Betty L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's manageable 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 solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Elijah Cox
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Natalie Gray
as a local I can confirm
14 upvotes
Ariana Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 45, moved here 14 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Uptown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
14 upvotes
Victoria Collins
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Grayson Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in tech. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Madeline
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Nashville about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is challenging.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
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