Fifty things I like about Billings.
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- Billings_Griz
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- Cat-theotherwhitemeat
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I love Billings. As far as I'm concerned there is no better place. However, here's my list....
1. No Division I college. I wish MSU-Billings had football but I'd rather have them at D-I for basketball. If they had football, the D-I wish would never happen.
2. They need to utilize the river more with more/better parks.
3. Same thing as #2, only with the Rims.
4. The bottleneck that is the Heights. It's only getting worse with all the new subdivions planned.
I guess that's about it. After living in Helena, Missoula, and Carson City, NV, I LOVE living in Billings.
1. No Division I college. I wish MSU-Billings had football but I'd rather have them at D-I for basketball. If they had football, the D-I wish would never happen.
2. They need to utilize the river more with more/better parks.
3. Same thing as #2, only with the Rims.
4. The bottleneck that is the Heights. It's only getting worse with all the new subdivions planned.
I guess that's about it. After living in Helena, Missoula, and Carson City, NV, I LOVE living in Billings.
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grizband
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Cat, I grew up in Billings, but have basically lived in Missoula for the past 7 years. However, my situation may change and require me to move back to Billings. Please compare your experiences in these two cities, and what to expect in Billings now - I imagine it has somewhat changed.Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:I love Billings. As far as I'm concerned there is no better place. However, here's my list....
1. No Division I college. I wish MSU-Billings had football but I'd rather have them at D-I for basketball. If they had football, the D-I wish would never happen.
2. They need to utilize the river more with more/better parks.
3. Same thing as #2, only with the Rims.
4. The bottleneck that is the Heights. It's only getting worse with all the new subdivions planned.
I guess that's about it. After living in Helena, Missoula, and Carson City, NV, I LOVE living in Billings.
- Cat-theotherwhitemeat
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I lived in Billings for 12 years before moving to those places in 1997. I recently moved back almost 2 years ago. Billings has changed a ton since then. The differences between Billings and Missoula that I saw.....Missoula is a little snobier with horrible traffic. There are 30,000 less people than Billings yet the traffic is worse due to the poor city planning or unexpected growth. While both are growing, Billings seems to handle it much better and has much more room.grizband wrote: Cat, I grew up in Billings, but have basically lived in Missoula for the past 7 years. However, my situation may change and require me to move back to Billings. Please compare your experiences in these two cities, and what to expect in Billings now - I imagine it has somewhat changed.
Downtown Billings used to suck and dry up after 5:00pm unless you count the hookers. The hookers a gone along with some unsightly buildings. Many of the buildings have either been torn down or re-modeled. Montana avenue used to be a place you avoided when the sun went down. Now people are having their wedding receptions down there. Lots of new bars and places to eat. It still has a ways to go, but it's way better than it was just 10 years ago.
The city grew quite a bit in the 90's but the last 8 years have surpassed that. With all the new plans on the horizon, the amazing growth in this city will continue. Every part of Billings growing from Lockwood, the Heights, and of course the west end.
I hope that answers your question. I've had people tell me I should work for the Chamber of Commerce.
My avatar does not now, nor has in the past, depict a person of mentally challenged state. If you have a problem with it, please call the U.S. department of Bite my A$$. MTBuff/Administrator.
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grizband
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Thanks, that does help. I remember downtown Billings not having much life after the work day, one reason I always preferred Missoula; sounds like this aspect has changed for the better.Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:I lived in Billings for 12 years before moving to those places in 1997. I recently moved back almost 2 years ago. Billings has changed a ton since then. The differences between Billings and Missoula that I saw.....Missoula is a little snobier with horrible traffic. There are 30,000 less people than Billings yet the traffic is worse due to the poor city planning or unexpected growth. While both are growing, Billings seems to handle it much better and has much more room.grizband wrote: Cat, I grew up in Billings, but have basically lived in Missoula for the past 7 years. However, my situation may change and require me to move back to Billings. Please compare your experiences in these two cities, and what to expect in Billings now - I imagine it has somewhat changed.
Downtown Billings used to suck and dry up after 5:00pm unless you count the hookers. The hookers a gone along with some unsightly buildings. Many of the buildings have either been torn down or re-modeled. Montana avenue used to be a place you avoided when the sun went down. Now people are having their wedding receptions down there. Lots of new bars and places to eat. It still has a ways to go, but it's way better than it was just 10 years ago.
The city grew quite a bit in the 90's but the last 8 years have surpassed that. With all the new plans on the horizon, the amazing growth in this city will continue. Every part of Billings growing from Lockwood, the Heights, and of course the west end.
I hope that answers your question. I've had people tell me I should work for the Chamber of Commerce.
- Old Skool Cat
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What a bummer.Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:I lived in Billings for 12 years before moving to those places in 1997. I recently moved back almost 2 years ago. Billings has changed a ton since then. The differences between Billings and Missoula that I saw.....Missoula is a little snobier with horrible traffic. There are 30,000 less people than Billings yet the traffic is worse due to the poor city planning or unexpected growth. While both are growing, Billings seems to handle it much better and has much more room.grizband wrote: Cat, I grew up in Billings, but have basically lived in Missoula for the past 7 years. However, my situation may change and require me to move back to Billings. Please compare your experiences in these two cities, and what to expect in Billings now - I imagine it has somewhat changed.
Downtown Billings used to suck and dry up after 5:00pm unless you count the hookers. The hookers a gone along with some unsightly buildings. Many of the buildings have either been torn down or re-modeled. Montana avenue used to be a place you avoided when the sun went down. Now people are having their wedding receptions down there. Lots of new bars and places to eat. It still has a ways to go, but it's way better than it was just 10 years ago.
The city grew quite a bit in the 90's but the last 8 years have surpassed that. With all the new plans on the horizon, the amazing growth in this city will continue. Every part of Billings growing from Lockwood, the Heights, and of course the west end.
I hope that answers your question. I've had people tell me I should work for the Chamber of Commerce.

- SonomaCat
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- Old Skool Cat
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Very true, but like you said, we panicked! Stupid high school kids. Besides, this is a much better story to tell!Bay Area Cat wrote:This is right from the "it's so much easier to think of things like this when it's not in the heat of the moment" file, but you guys should have just driven straight to the police station and parked out front!

- SonomaCat
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Absolutely!Old Skool Cat wrote:Very true, but like you said, we panicked! Stupid high school kids. Besides, this is a much better story to tell!Bay Area Cat wrote:This is right from the "it's so much easier to think of things like this when it's not in the heat of the moment" file, but you guys should have just driven straight to the police station and parked out front!
- Billings_Griz
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I like Billings. Only 1 hr to the Pryor Mtn's, 1 hr from Red Lodge, 2 hrs to The Bighorn Mtns of WY, if you're into the great outdoors.Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:I love Billings. As far as I'm concerned there is no better place. However, here's my list....
1. No Division I college. I wish MSU-Billings had football but I'd rather have them at D-I for basketball. If they had football, the D-I wish would never happen. Agreed
2. They need to utilize the river more with more/better parks. Absolutely. Also, I can see why people think we're the armpit of MT. Driving thru on the freeway is UGLY.
3. Same thing as #2, only with the Rims. Uh-huh.
4. The bottleneck that is the Heights. It's only getting worse with all the new subdivions planned. Pussy, it's only a mile.Not like SFO, right BAC? (I lived in Daly City)
Our "Pro" baseball team is usually pretty competative.
Our medical facilities are top notch.
Downtown is a gazillion times better now than 12-15 yrs ago. Downtown is fun.
And I'm 10 min from the airport where I can jump on Allegiant Air for $39-$59 each way to Vegas. Just booked my 4th trip this year, for August.
And last, but not least, CTOWM is in town and I know, some day, he'll finally buy me a beer.
- Cat-theotherwhitemeat
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Billings_Griz wrote:...Pussy, it's only a mile. Yeah, but sometimes that mile takes 30 minutes, like when it snows.
Our "Pro" baseball team is usually pretty competative. Plus, a shiny brand new stadium. And what about the Outlaws?
And last, but not least, CTOWM is in town and I know, some day, he'll finally buy me a beer.Ditto!
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- Billings_Griz
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- Cat-theotherwhitemeat
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No, I stop by your place of business and stick bananas in your tailpipe.Billings_Griz wrote:You go thru Huntley?Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:Pussy, it's only a mile. Yeah, but sometimes that mile takes 30 minutes, like when it snows.
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- SonomaCat
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Come on, people. This is a family website. No need for those kinds of euphemisms.Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:No, I stop by your place of business and stick bananas in your tailpipe.Billings_Griz wrote:You go thru Huntley?Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:Pussy, it's only a mile. Yeah, but sometimes that mile takes 30 minutes, like when it snows.
- Cat-theotherwhitemeat
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Just remember, I'm the quarterback, he's receiver.Bay Area Cat wrote:Come on, people. This is a family website. No need for those kinds of euphemisms.Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:No, I stop by your place of business and stick bananas in your tailpipe.Billings_Griz wrote:You go thru Huntley?Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:Pussy, it's only a mile. Yeah, but sometimes that mile takes 30 minutes, like when it snows.
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- Billings_Griz
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