Where to live if working in Helena? (Montana City, Townsend: job, housing)

[ChoozeJoy]

Considering taking a job in Helena. Would be moving from the country with low housing prices so wouldn't have but about $150K to buy with.

Can anyone suggest where to live and commute to Helena (mabye 45 min max)?

Are there traffic issues?

Cities to avoid?

Any info is greatly appreciated!

[kdwom@bresnan.net]

Actually around Helena is not so bad, there are alot of rural areas.
Traffic is bad south on I15 from Montana City but its only about 7 miles. If that. Helena is pretty small for a city, if you want to be on a mountain and deal with the snow in winter, York. Townsend is fairly flat. You should get online to a map of the area and take a look.

[MTer]

Living in Helena is probably your best best (Helena or East Helena or Mountain City--all adjacent). Within 45 min. are Townsend, Boulder, Jefferson City, Clancy, but the further from Helena you are, the rougher time you'll have commuting in winter. Mountain passes (e.g., from Boulder to Helena) occasionally close in winter, and with ice and snow, I don't recommend driving them even when open.

Montana traffic is nothing like traffic in large cities.

[luckyman]

I would not recommend a 45 minute commute in this area. The price of gas is only going to go higher. The roads can be (and are) treacherous in the winter and the number of deer collisions around here is staggering. You are far better off to find the closest house to your job that you can afford and save the commute time and money for more important things.

[criwa5]

I grew up in Helena and all of my family lives there. I laughed out loud a little when I read your question regarding traffic and a 45 min commute. Helena is a nice place to live. The Helena valley is nice and I know you could find houses in your price range and it may take 10 to 15 minutes to commute to downtown if thats where your job is. If you like the cute old house and tree lined streets there are areas around the capital building that would be nice. Look first though if that is what your interested in because some of those areas have a lot of druggies. Someone else said Montana City or East Helena which are nice but if your not used to the snow, the winter commute would be horrible! Hope that helps. Good luck!!