Crime In Great Falls (Billings, Missoula: apartments, renting, violent crime)

[cdc1211]

A few years back, I visited the three largest cities in Montana (Billings, Missoula, and Great Falls). Of the three, I actually liked Great Falls the best. While there, I walked all over, and never felt unsafe or witnessed anything that raised my eyebrows.

But when I read some of the reviews on here and other places, some make Great Falls out to be a center for crime. It has kept me from pushing forward with a possible move there.

I would be renting an apartment, and I know a lot of people say to avoid Downtown Great Falls. But most of the apartments I find online are near Downtown. So what should I expect if I choose to live there. Is there a lot of random crime, like shootings, assaults and robberies? Or is it more amongst people who know each other, and therefore if I avoid the bad crowds, I should be okay for the most part? I have read meth is a problem, which has been the case in other places I've lived, but it never impacted my life. I have also read some things about car thefts, but I don't drive anyway.

There are just a lot of things that appeal to me about the city, even though I know it's not for everyone. I actually enjoyed my time in Downtown Great Falls, as it seemed alive with stores, restaurants, the river trail, etc... Some downtowns are dead.

So just how bad would things be? Does anyone have any direct experience from living there?

[jasper12]

Crime in Great Falls? This is actually a funny story...I have lived in Las Vegas, Miami, and D.C. The only place I ever had a car stolen, was Great Falls, MT....Random coincidence? I don't know. Just telling you the facts.

I have not seen random shootings in Great Falls, assaults or robberies, that is pretty much localized to domestic issues, and sadly, area around the Native American Center...which is the area where my car was stolen.

Great Falls is a great place to live.

[cdc1211]

Originally Posted by jasper12

Crime in Great Falls? This is actually a funny story...I have lived in Las Vegas, Miami, and D.C. The only place I ever had a car stolen, was Great Falls, MT....Random coincidence? I don't know. Just telling you the facts.

I have not seen random shootings in Great Falls, assaults or robberies, that is pretty much localized to domestic issues, and sadly, area around the Native American Center...which is the area where my car was stolen.

Great Falls is a great place to live.

Good to hear there is not a ton of random violent crime there.

Where is the Native American Center located?

[durenevb]

Originally Posted by cdc1211

Good to hear there is not a ton of random violent crime there.

Where is the Native American Center located?

This is a funny story...because Great Falls is small so comparing larger cities is not fair to the City. I've lived in Great Falls and have never had any problems with theft. I can even leave my car unlocked most of the time, and of course there is a ghetto side of the town....all cities have them, but the ghetto side of town is small compared to other cities. I have never had any problems with the natives and native american center. I have a son that is addicted to meth..he is from Spokane, Wa and he doesn't like it here in Great Falls because it is hard to find it as easy as Spokane.