Visiting Billings (Laurel, Whitefish, Red Lodge: where to stay, real estate, lender)

[Montana Dreamin']

Hey out there,


I'm beginning my plan to visit Billings this summer . . .probably July.


I'd appreciate any suggestions on places to visit, which hotels are best, things to do.


I'm especially interested in staying a nite at a Dude Ranch or country type location with good
amenities. I'm also wanting to know how the Embassy Suites size up, there. I've only been
to one (in Los Angeles) but I sure enjoyed it! Good breakfasts, "on the house". The grounds
had "character" - nice koi fish ponds indoors.


While I will be visiting as a tourist, I will also be sizing it (Billings) up as a potential place to move to in a
couple of years. Yes, I've done a little homework and found that the water and air quality suck . .
But doesn't every affordable city have it's drawbacks? I wasn't too pleased to find that the cancer
rate in Billings is way over the average for U.S. cities : (
All in all, I do think I will like living in Billings. I'm going to take a couple trips there to confirm my
hunches.
Tell me what areas not to go in, as an 'outsider'. Tell me what Real Estate companies are good to
deal with, and which ones not to mess with. I've already talked to a couple real estate offices but
they seem to have no 'follow through'.


Thanks in advance!

[NW Crow]

Dude ranch options:

https://www.allredlodgelodging.com/lodging/ranches.php

Montana Ranch Vacations | Ranches | Where to Stay

No Embassy Suites in Montana. Here is a list of what's available: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g...na-Hotels.html

Real estate agents might tend to not go full force for an out of state caller unless you really sell that you intend to follow thru. Your in person visit might get more attention.

Neighborhood matters. Read past threads to get some background. Use google maps / street view to see them ahead of time. Pick a few. Know your priorities. Crime, income level, access to downtown, quiet, etc.

[ericsvibe]

The cancer is high, as is some developmental disabilities, but that is all due to bad well water. You have to remember, that water quality testing wasn't a big deal until just recently. A large amount of Montanans were raised on well water that had very high levels of heavy metals, nitrates, nitrites, etc. Now it isn't a big deal due to the fact that you can get reverse osmosis filtration systems that will eliminate the contaminants. We almost couldn't close on our home because our well had what many would consider to be "bad" water. We had to get a water analysis study completed, with a letter from a lab explaining that heavy metals are common in almost all Montana well water, in order for the lender to accept the after treatment results. Most lenders won't accept after treatment results for well water. The water is fine to bathe in and wash clothes.


When we shared our well test results with our neighbors, they were all shocked. They had never even thought about it, and had been drinking the unfiltered water for decades.

[wisterhunter]

we stayed at the best western in Laurel last time we were there. great hotel and has breakfast. I have been using Realty Billings for the last 6 months and have no complaints. I should be up in 2 weeks to put a bid on a house and hope to be moved in by Aug. check out Red Lodge maybe a trip to Cooney Reservoir. the Zoo maybe a trip out to https://www.nps.gov/libi/index.htm have fun.

[historyfan]

I think I'd go see what they've done with Northern Hotel. Otherwise we stay at Hilton Garden Inns in Montana.

Nicer dude ranches are not close to Billings. They are closer to either Glacier Park or Yellowstone Park....it may be too late to get a reservation for this summer. Google dude ranches Big Sky Montana and Whitefish Montana. Or there is always Paws Up
https://www.pawsup.com/

***Just do not make reservations at the Dude Rancher Motel in Billings. It is very run down.

I can not speak to cancer rates. I suspect it is related to refinery activity.

If I needed to live near Billings, I'd look by Fromberg. Or farther out by Red Lodge.