Local thoughts on Helena (Missoula: transplants, real estate market, violent crime)

[TheFamilyGrace]

Is Helena a good starting piont for a move to Montana?My wife and I have been watching the weather and news from the area for the past year. It seems to us that area doesnt get as much snow as other parts of the state. What is a local thought on raising a family in the area? (schools, crime, ect.)

[decembergirl]

You're looking at Helena because it doesn't seem to get much snow? Not to be mean, but if you don't like snow that much why even move to Montana? As a whole, we have been getting less of it in the winter, but on the flip-side of that we have been having much dryer summers which often leads to fires. I would take a good hardy winter any day over having it "snowing" ash in the summer and my eyes burning non-stop due to the smoke. Just something to think about anyways. As far as schools, we moved my son around a bit until we got him into the Four Georgians Elementary. Best school here in my opinion, but I have heard good things about Broadwater and Jefferson too. How old are your kids? It depends on what you are looking for as far as this being a good starting point, although I would not take lack of snow to be a viable factor on wheter or not to move here. More like can you find a decent job and can you afford a decent house here? Much more important.

[AQHA]

Helena is a great place but our summers are pretty hot and dry. Winters are not too bad and so far we have not gotten much inversion.

I agree with the poster above me, the summer fires here are not pleasant at all, I have to leave the state for part of the summer, the smoke is BAD, kills the eyes and it can't be good for the lungs.

[TheFamilyGrace]

We didn't say that we don't like snow, that is actually one of the things we look forward to. As far as hot summers, one of us grew up in Florida and the other in So. Alabama, we've also spent some time in So. Louisiana and the summers down there are brutal. We know that the air is much drier in Montana compared to the thicker than water humidity in the South.

We're a young family, one daughter 21 months. We've been studying this move for a year now and we also drove to Helena last October. Adjusting to the cold is a fair trade for a better place to raise our little girl. We also love to be outdoors and have a true respect for nature and preserving it. Honestly, any where is better than the South these days, but our hearts are set on Montana.

Gardening is something that is important, so green land would be nice. I know it's a bit drier around Helena, but we figured that would be a good starting point. After we've been there for a year or so we'll have a better knowledge of the state and where we want to settle. Any suggestions based on the info we've provided would be greatly appreciated.

[TheFamilyGrace]

I forgot to add that as far as a job is concerned, we have fairly secure career firelds. I am currently working an accounting degree and my husband is in the commercial tire business. We're open to change; change is precisely what we're moving for. We've also been reading the Helena IR for the past year and researching the real estate market. We don't have a lot and don't really want for anything either. I guess you could say that we're pretty simple people.

[truckingbronco]

Helena has decent weather as far as MT is concerned. The winters can be cold and long but not too brutal. You will also get more sun than Missoula or the Flathead, which is a big plus in my book. The summers are in the 80s with the occasional heat wave in the upper 90s, but this only lasts for a few weeks in July and August.

Helena isn't a lively town but it is a decent town for families. There is low violent crime and a fair amount of family activies along with a decent community feel that is lacking in many MT towns due to transplants.

Jobs is a tough one because it all depends on what you do. There is very few "high" paying jobs but the cost of living isn't bad either. If you're interested in gov't jobs, accounting, or healthcare you will probably be able to find a suitable career.

[AQHA]

Originally Posted by truckingbronco

The summers are in the 80s with the occasional heat wave in the upper 90s, but this only lasts for a few weeks in July and August.

I'm not sure where you got these numbers truckingbronco... I think its a lot hotter than that here. We even got over 100 several times this summer. I wish the summers were mostly in the 80's but they are not.

[truckingbronco]

I guess I'm speaking from my MT experiences in the past. I have heard that the last few summers have been exceptionally brutal on the mercury.

[NYMTman]

Helena doesn't get nearly enough snow... very dry climate.

[NYMTman]

The average hi/lo temps for Helena in July are 83/52.

For last July it was more like 95/60. August was 81/51 (normal). July was the only hot month last summer. Most people from outside Montana would find only one month of heat to be wonderful.