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| Worst, most unfriendly place I've ever lived - 8/13/2010
After just barely over a year, I'm able to get myself and my family out of here. I've tried befriending neighbors, coworkers and others. I've joined several different volunteer organizations, with the intention of meeting people. I've participated in many school activities and boyscout activities with my son. I'm met a few kind souls, but not many. I've also have never heard "ain't" and "ain't got none" or "I seen something". Seems like normal ordinary intelligent kind people are crushed in this town. If however you are a crazy Christian type or redneck meth-head, this is your town. [read more...]
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| So far, So good. - 5/4/2010
We've been here in Helena for going on 2 years. I'm sure there are other Californians that have migrated to this area. I've read some negative comments about Helena, and some of them are true. It is a "small city" similar to the way Reno, Nevada USED to be. I've been quite a few places in the USA and I really love the scenery, most of the people, and the small town atmosphere. As far as shopping goes, it isn't the best. Health care is a problem as others have mentioned. But, if you want the big city attractions, then Helena isn't the place for you. When I first moved here my new employer told me that you HAVE TO WANT TO LIVE HERE! He was right. It's a total change from living in an area where the population is over 1 million people. This has actually been a wonderful experience for my wife and I, but it has taken all this time to get used to it also. Would I like to live somewhere else? Yep, Bozeman would be nice, but I truly like the Helena area. It's close to everything...Montana mileage that is. And I'm proud to be a Montanan now...no matter what the natives think or say. This is the USA and I can move anywhere. If the natives don't like me, I don't care. I have never tried to bring the atmosphere I came from here. I've noticed that most natives don't like to hear; "Where I came from so and so." I don't do that and I've left that behind. Move to Helena, it's a great place to live and raise a family. Live your life here like you would any place else, and make the best of what's here. No Disneyland...who cares? No traffic jams...now that's what I'm talking about! [read more...]
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| Queen City's Tarnished Crown. - 3/24/2009
As a descendant of original settlers in the Helena Valley and having myself lived here the majority of my life, it saddens me to see my once beloved city become the capitol of pretentiousness. The massive influx of out of staters into Helena in the last 15 years has completely changed the dynamic and attitude of Helena and not for the better.
The cost of living is ridiculous and the wages are rock bottom. Many people have to hold down numerous jobs just to eek by. The shopping is non-existent unless Wal-Mart, KMart and Target is your cup of tea.
The roads are not made for the amount of traffic that is here and the horrible self-important drivers make it even worse in trying to get around. I almost forgot the train that runs through the middle of Helena that holds up traffic several times a day.
If you are from out of state then you will probably love the mountains, lakes and be used to the self importance of the general public. As for me and several other native Montanans, we are making our escape out of here.[read more...]
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| Sheltered Community - 1/25/2009
Helena is very limiting in what it offers to people who do not enjoy outdoor recreation. During the cold winters it is easy to become isolated and depressed because most of the recreation is outdoors based.[read more...]
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| Terrible healthcare high cost living - 4/4/2008
Helena,MT has beauty to offer and thats about it... The healthcare is way below acceptable.( I have never witnessed such terrible healthcare anywhere else in the US.) You have to drive hours to get good care. Anyone who has a family member with a significant illness should not live in Helena, Mt.
The wages people are paid is terrible and the cost of living is high. Who can afford a 200,000 to 300,000 home on low wages. I feel sorry for Montana's people. "They pay high cost for low standards."[read more...]
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| Not friendly........Over priced homes - 3/27/2007
Helena is a nice place if you have money and don't need friends. It is not a friendly community at all. Meth is also becoming a very prominent part of our city.[read more...]
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| Helena- precip - 1/26/2007
Sorry to burst your bubble, but Helena, Montana only receives about 11.9 inches of precipitation per year, not 32![read more...]
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| We like it here - 7/26/2006
We are parents of two small children. We believe California stinks for raising children anymore. California has become a virtual cess-pool of diversity with unbeliveable illegal immigration problems which are destroying the fabric of California society not to mention the financial stability of the state. Most of the state is filled with drugs, gangs and weirdos. The few places that exist with a reasonable quality of life are either unafordable or so rural that it very difficult to school your children and don't get me started about San Francisco or California politics.
We found Helena, Montana to be friendly, affordable and very quaint. Montana is much slower than California, i.e. no traffic jams and uninhabited freeways. With the exception of "Malfunction Junction" the city was very easy to navigate. While property taxes are a little higher than where we live in northern California they are offset by no sales tax. The cost of registering a car is much lower, cars ten years old or older can pay a permanent one time fee for their vehicle. Housing is very affordable and about 25% cheaper where we live, Yuba City, California. The state seems to be business friendly. Wages are lower than California which I attribute to lower cost of housing and fewer regulations which tend to strangle California businesses.
Smog checks are nonexistent. When I refueled the rental car it cost $2.79 @ gallon, 07/24/06.
We are well aware of the very cold winters, but the worst months are between January through March. Remember that much of the United States lies in the North and very cold and people live very good lives. Most native Californians are willing to trade quality of life for good weather, abundant fresh produce and houses much larger than they need or can afford.
We love Montana!
Frank[read more...]
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| not much to say - 6/10/2006
just moved here so really have not got an impression yet.[read more...]
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| Helena - 3/2/2006
Lived in Helena for 7 years and was glad to get the heck out. The shopping is terrible. You have to drive 80 miles to Great Falls just to do any decent shopping. It's extremely hard to make friends. If your not from Helena or a native Montanan, you more than likely will not be accepted. And If you dont like outdoor activities such as camping or hiking, you're in trouble. The only thing I liked about Helena was the weather. Glad to be living in the greatest state in the country - Wisconsin![read more...]
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| Health care, shopping, friends - 12/7/2005
On the whole good for a small city. However, we drive to Missoula (115 miles away) for periodontist, dermatologist and opthalmologist.
Lack of shopping is frustrating unless you really prefer all "big box" stores.
Helena is an easy place to make and keep friends. People are warm and helping. There are plenty of activities to share with friends and family.[read more...]
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