Besides being the biggest city in the state of Montana, Billings also has the distinction of being the only city in the entire state to top 100,000 people in population. Billings is the seat of Yellowstone County and sits in the south-central area of the state, close to the Wyoming border. The city is experiencing a period of rapid growth, and it continues to be the fastest-growing city in the state of Montana.
Its growth, while not limited to one particular area, is more heavily concentrated on the metro area, and the city as a whole managed to not be adversely affected at all by the country's economic recession and real estate downturn. On top of everything, Billings has more hotel accommodations available in the city than any other area in a five-state region.
This guide will provide you with some helpful tips and information on just about everything you need to know if you're going to be making the move to Billings. From the city's neighborhoods and school systems to the employment options and recreational activities available within the city, you'll find it all in this guide so that you can go into your move with the knowledge that is needed to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Billings Climate
The highly varied topography of the state of Montana influences the climate of Billings to a large extent. The western region of the state contains the northern section of the Rocky Mountains, while the eastern region of the state is characterized by badlands and plains. The city of Billings is in a semi-arid climate zone, mainly characterized by hot summers and cold, dry winters.
Here the winters are milder and summers are hot, with temperatures that can rise to over 100 degrees. The key word for Billings' weather is "dry" and the area also experiences a short growing season. In the winter, snowfall can average around 57 inches, however because of warm winds that pass through the region, the snow does not accumulate in large amounts and doesn't remain on the ground for too long.
Billings Geography and Neighborhoods
The city of Billings has several distinct neighborhoods that give the city its unique character and personality. The south side of the city is the oldest residential area in Billings and it's a culturally diverse neighborhood, while the South Park neighborhood is home to most of the city's festivals and fairs during the summer. The Bottom Westend Historic District is the more upscale section of the city, and also features some of Billings' first mansions, and the Midtown area is the densely populated downtown section of the city that has been rapidly growing and expanding and is also currently undergoing gentrification.
Living Costs in the City
Billings has a rapidly growing economy and an even faster growing real estate market, and the population in the city continues to grow at an increasingly rapid rate, which has driven up the living costs in the city over the past decade. Billings has a higher average cost of living when compared to other cities in the region, as well as throughout the state of Montana, and the city finds itself on the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to things like food, utilities and other typical living expenses. The median family income in Billings is $62,258, which is slightly higher than the national average for median family income.
The median home price for an average home in Billings is $175,875, right around the national average as well. With a median family income that is slightly above the national average and real estate prices that are slightly lower than average, the real estate market in Billings is on the rise, with many people moving in and the city's growing economy make it an ideal place to settle down.
Registering Your Car
You have 60 days to register and title your car in Montana from the date of the beginning of your residency in the state. Titling and registration is done at any county treasurer's office. At the time of application, you have to submit your out of state title, paperwork of the vehicle, and title and security interest fees. After you pay the taxes and fees, the vehicle is registered and new license plates are issued.
You have 60 days to apply for a Montana non-commercial driver's license and 30 days to apply for a commercial driver's license. You need to produce proof of identity, proof of Montana residency, and proof of authorized presence. You are also required to pass the written, driving, and vision tests. If you are in possession of a valid out of state license, then the examiner may waive written and driving tests.
Billings Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Billings, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Montana. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Billings Schools
Billings contains three public school districts that serve the city's students. These districts, Billings Public Schools, District 3, and Elder Grove School District, educate over 15,000 students and are comprised of 22 elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools – Senior High School, Skyview High School and West High School. There are also six private and chartered schools located in Billings, in addition to several institutes of higher education including Montana State University Billings, Rocky Mountain College and Yellowstone Baptist College.
Billings Employment
Over the years, the city of Billings has become a major trade and distribution center, as well as the main retail hub throughout most of the region, since there is no sales tax in Montana. Because of this, there are many regional headquarters and corporate headquarters located in Billings. The city also accounts for more than a quarter of the wholesale business of the entire state of Montana.
In 2009, Fortune Small Business magazine named Billings the best city in which to start a business. The city of Billings is in the midst of a period of great growth and expansion and the economy is thriving. The current unemployment rate is low, at 4.4 percent as of March 2013, while the job growth rate is on the rise at 12.36 percent. A few of the Fortune 500 companies with offices located in Billings include, Exxon/Mobil, Wal-Mart, Conoco-Phillips, Ford, GM, General Electric, Wells Fargo, Target and New York Life.
Public Transportation
The main public transportation system in Billings is provided by the Billings METropolitan Transit authority. MET transit provides bus service to the people of Billings all throughout the week. All buses are handicap-accessible. The city also has numerous limousine and taxi services and there is Greyhound bus service available at the Billings Bus Terminal. For bikers and nature lovers, there is an extensive trail system throughout the city called the Heritage trail system. Billings was recently voted among the top 50 bike-friendly cities in the country. The closest major airport is the Billings Logan International Airport, which provides daily commercial flights to both domestic and international destinations.
Culture and Contemporary Life
If you're a fan of festivals, you'll feel right at home in Billings, home to over 20 different festivals that take place throughout the course of the year, including the Wine & Food Festival (May), the Strawberry Festival (June), Summer Fair (July), the Magic City Blues Festival (August), and the Harvest Fest (October), just to name a few. For the beer drinkers, there's an abundance of breweries located in Billings, with eight located in the city and 10 in the metropolitan area. Tours of the breweries are available to the public. Some other points of interest in the city include Zoo Montana, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and the Yellowstone Art Museum.
Moving to Billings
Whatever your reasons for moving to Billings, whether it be for a change of scenery or for employment, the city beckons you with its charm. The first step in the process of moving to Billings is choosing a moving company after first checking their BBB ratings, insurance and license. The moving rates are charged by the hour if you are moving within the state boundary, while for a long distance move the charges will depend on the total weight or volume in cubic feet of your belongings. In the latter case, you can ask about a flat rate or any special discounts that are available with the mover.