This Montana City Was Just Named One Of The Best Places To Live
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Jessica Wick
Author
In Montana, even the big cities aren’t all that big—and we like it that way. Most Montanans prefer small town living to city life, and that’s why they live here. Still, it’s nice to have some of the amenities that city living offers… great restaurants, good coffee shops, and plenty of exciting things to do. And believe it or not, Billings recently topped a list of best places to live for all of these reasons.
Whether you love or hate Billings—and you’ll find Montanans who feel both ways—it does happen to be our most populated city. About 109,100 people call it home. That means that when it comes to types of people, there’s something for pretty much everyone. You’ll find social butterflies, introverted types, religious people, non-religious people, and all kinds of interests and hobbies.
One complaint about Billings is that it’s not a very attractive city. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it certainly has its picturesque parts. Plus, it’s close to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness area, Granite Peak (Montana’s tallest at 12,807 feet), and the Stillwater River.
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Plus, the Four Dances Recreation Area has the best views… well, ever.
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One of the best things about Billings is its affordability. While the rent prices have definitely risen in recent years (like in most cities), you can still find reasonably priced rentals, and the median home price is still less than $200,000. This is substantially more affordable than the "discovered" Montana cities like Bozeman and Missoula, not to mention mid-sized cities in other states where the real estate market has gone through the roof. Billings also has a decent economy that ranked in the top 25 among smaller cities last fall.
Another misconception is that Billings is devoid of culture. And while it’s true that you won’t find as much flair as, say, San Francisco, the city can definitely hold its own when it comes to great food and good entertainment. Restaurants like The Fieldhouse and Local Kitchen & Bar are breathing new life into the dining scene, while classics like The Burger Dive are still going strong.
There’s also a growing list of breweries for people who enjoy some tasty local beer.
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History buffs also tend to enjoy Billings. It was a lively town in the Old West days and was once the stomping grounds of Calamity Jane and Yellowstone Kelly. You can hear it all on a local guided tour or learn what life was like 100 years ago by exploring the Moss Mansion.
Love it or hate it, Billings is a city like no other. It’s got history, culture, and the great outdoors within an arm’s reach.
If you’re ready for life in a mid-sized city, Billings might be the right place for you. But if you’d rather live in a small town where everyone knows your name, give one of these places a try.
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