Area surrounding Helena (Missoula, Lewistown, Montana City: job, health, housing)

[SunnyE]

Hi everyone,

Could you please tell me about the nice areas to live around Helena?

Thank you so much!
Sunny

[SunnyE]

So I take it that there's nothing surrounding Helena?

Okay, thanks for your help.

[Homewardbound66]

There are a few people that can help you when they get back to the board and I think the most helpful people that really stand out to have a real grasp of Montana would be Ladyflyfsh, MHT and Giftshoppeguy. Keep bumping your message and someone will grab it. The Montana board is slower than others and I think its because of the healthy Montana living. People are out and about enjoying the fresh (sometimes very cold) air.

Hope you get an answer soon.

[Homewardbound66]

Hi Sunnye - You don't seem to be having any luck on this site, but why don't you search for those names I previously posted and maybe send them a private email. They are very knowledgeable and seem to be more than willing to help. I'm sure they'll have answers for you. Don't give up yet.

[SunnyE]

Thanks so much IMISSNY, I really do appreciate your help! You've been very encouraging.

[ladyflyfsh]

Originally Posted by SunnyE

Hi everyone,

Could you please tell me about the nice areas to live around Helena?

Thank you so much!
Sunny

Hi Sunny,

Sorry, I've not been on the board much as I'm extremely busy at present with my business. You sound frustrated so I will do my best to try and help.

Unfortunately I don't know a whole lot about Helena. I have a friend there and go visit him from time to time. Once you leave Helena, there isn't much around. As for in Helena itself, you're better off on the western side of town. East Helena is less affluent and I suppose housing will be less there also. There are lots of beautiful old mansions in Helena which is the state capitol. It's a pretty town but it is one of those towns that pretty much closes up late at night and on Sundays. I'm always amazed at how quiet it is at night sometimes. I'm not saying there isn't anything to do, just that it closes early and is quiet on weekends.

If you found a good job there, I'm sure you could find a very nice house and enjoy it there. You have everything you need for shopping, restaurants, movies etc. There is skiing not far away and great fishing, hiking, biking and hunting.
Hope this helps some!

[GiftShoppeGuy]

As close as we live to Helena (89 miles), I'm surprised that we don't get over there as often as we might get over to Lewistown or even White Sulphur Springs.

However, we do get there on occasion if we've got a real hunker for pie and coffee, or if we want to go the long way to Missoula.

It is a quiet place though, and there are some beautiful old turn of the 19th century houses there.

You can learn more about Helena Montana by visiting the link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helena%2C_Montana

[mthawki]

Hey SunnyE,

I don't know if you're still looking for Helena info, but I'd be glad to help you out.
Most parts of Helena are very nice, but as in most cities, there are some exceptions. The areas near the railroad tracks (Lower Eastside & Lower Westside) are somewhat run down in places, but have the most affordable housing. Just do some searching at the site below to get a feel for the market here. Things are pretty slow this time of year though, so more homes come up in the spring.
The north valley is booming and you can get downtown in about 15-20 from almost all of the outlying areas. There is a great deal of growth going on, but it's nothing on the scale of larger cities around the country.
Just let me know if you'd like any specifics on anything.

removed

[NYMTman]

My mom bought a house in the valley last April, just a wee bit north of Custer Ave. When she bought it, she could see country side in three directions. Now she's surrounded by new houses, most of which are far larger than her own. She doesn't mind it too much, but it's something to keep in mind, especially if you're buying a house for the view.

Personally, I'd like to live in one of the small towns just a bit south of Helena, mainly because I like living amongst the mountains, as opposed to a gigantic valley like the Helena Valley. Clancy, Montana City, etc. Although I must say that I recently stopped in one of those towns before embarking on a road trip, expecting to find a gas station, and found none...

Helena's a really nice town, and it's growing on me. Everything just seems so nice and clean, and the downtown area is lovely. Missoula's still #1 IMO, but Helena is catching up!

[mthawki]

A lot of those brand new houses that are going in north of Custer near Ptarmigan, Roadrunner, etc are being built on VERY high density lots. Your mom had to know that once the subdivision was built out, the views and general landscape of the neighborhood would change.

You're right about the areas south of town (Montana City, Clancy) having more of a "mountainy" feeling. But like you mentioned, once you get a little out of town, you have to drive a ways to get some basic services. The fast growth in those places has put quite a strain on things like roads and fire protection too. Without businesses as part of the tax base, the load is going to be passed onto the home owners.

This is still a beautiful part of the state and I wouldn't trade it for anything!