How long to get a sense of Helena? (Billings, East Helena: activities, retire)

[RPMuldoon]

My wife and I are considering retiring to Helena or thereabouts. One of our daughters just moved to East Helena and absolutely loves it, says it would suit us well. My brother, who visited Billings a decade ago and never left, is also high on the Helena area.

We're planning a week-long no-family trip to Helena soon, but is that enough time to get a real sense of the town, the community, the landscape? Any thoughts about how long it takes to get a sense of place about Helena or any area in Montana? And any recommendations on what to be sure to do (and what to avoid) in Helena on our visit?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

[Montanaman1]

You should really enjoy Helena. It of course is the capitol of Montana. If you enjoy history, make sure you visit "Last Chance Gulch" where gold was found and the city of Helena was started. Stop in at the Chamber of Commerce, they always have lots to offer the visitor.

Have Fun.

Rick

Ps, I plan to retire to 20 acres I own outside of Whitehall, Montana which is about
90 miles South of Helena.

[MTer]

Originally Posted by RPMuldoon

My wife and I are considering retiring to Helena or thereabouts. One of our daughters just moved to East Helena and absolutely loves it, says it would suit us well. My brother, who visited Billings a decade ago and never left, is also high on the Helena area.

We're planning a week-long no-family trip to Helena soon, but is that enough time to get a real sense of the town, the community, the landscape? Any thoughts about how long it takes to get a sense of place about Helena or any area in Montana? And any recommendations on what to be sure to do (and what to avoid) in Helena on our visit?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

I thought I replied to this a few days ago, but I don't see my reply anywhere. In truth, it'll take a year to really get a sense, as each season is very different in Montana--different weather (obviously), different activities, different things to worry about (fires, storms, ice...), and so on. But that's pretty much true in any place with four distinct seasons.

[lifesport]

I would definitely recommend visiting during the summer and winter... they are somewhat different sides of how great montana can be.

[AQHA]

How did your visit go?

[mthawki]

The summers here are the reward for the long winter. The winters actually aren't as bad as the rest of the country thinks...but don't tell anyone.

[Fuzzycake]

They seem less cold and less snowy than when I first moved here in 1993.

[mthawki]

Originally Posted by Fuzzycake

They seem less cold and less snowy than when I first moved here in 1993.

Al Gore will tell you why! LMAO

[NYMTman]

Well it's all relative... compared to North Dakota the winters aren't so bad. But compared to pretty much anywhere else in the Continental US, they're pretty cold. When I first moved to Montana from New York in 2000 I froze my buns off.

[mthawki]

I'll take the occassional -30 cold snap we get over the freezing rain and humidity that most of the midwest, east and south gets in the winter.