Helena Is a great town I'm outside Bozeman 1.5 Hours south I do get up there once in a while for business or to fish the Missouri.
Helena is the State Capitol it has a good stable economy ( Thanks Government), and more reasonably priced homes. I would consider it over many towns in Montana to live. Lots to do within 2 Hours of Helena. Lots of history and outdoor activities. Lots of water and the mighty MO. Neat downtown with a lot of mining history nice folks with a lot of pride.
As with most places in Montana it does get cold in the winter. But we don't have some of the problems you may find in warmer climates. It's not for everyone -We are OK with that.
We still have less than one million in the state, being the 4th largest state in the US as far as land area.
The summers are the finest you will find anywhere.
Montana People are friendly, helpful, free thinkers and appreciate the beauty around them. If you visit this time of year and like it. You will love the rest of the year.
Montana is packed with Midwesterner s and Californians my neighbor down the street moved from Maui and has 18 years of ski passes in his shop . I moved here from Indiana (Indy Area) have been here 17 years. It will always be home. I can see getting to the ocean in the winters when the right time comes. I do not travel in the summer because there is no better place to be.
Bottom like if you like to be outside you will like it here.
My .02 Cents
There are quite a few Pelicans Here !
