I need some Helena info

[meagen]

We are planning on moving to Helena next summer and would love any recommendations for a good preschool/private school in the area. DD will be turning three and will for sure need some kind of social school time. Also, any good ideas on things to do, places to visit, etc. would be greatly appreciated. We are excited to be moving to Helena. Billings is just not us, and have heard that Helena is more like Missoula. Thanks in advance!

[CrunchyClark]

Hi! I'm in Helena :) You're welcome to write me off-list holly@momufactured.com or yahoo or AIM me if I'm on.

I've live here since 1985. I don't think it's anywhere as much of a 'Berkley of the Rockies' like Missoula is....but Helena's okay. I have plenty of crunchy friends. Participate in the Farmer's Market every weekend (May to November).

Are you looking for Montessori type school? There are several. There is a fun place called Creative Play that is a little bit Waldorf a little bit Montessori, just basically a fun, child-led learning experience, and they even serves Organic meals! I believe they only accept full-time (or you have to pay for FT slot) though.

Wanted to edit this add that I have a few IRL crunchy friends in Billings! Both post here sometimes, and both belong to our Montana Unschoolers list. (You don't HAVE to be an unschooler to join....lots of crunchy folk talking about life. :) )

[meagen]

Thanks so much for the info. The creative play sounds most like what I'm looking for, although was thinking of 2 to 3 half days a week, so perhaps not. Either way, it sounds hopefull that I will find something up her alley!

Also, what do you think of housing costs there? I've heard they are quite reasonable, better than Billings, which we thought were a bargain compared to Missoula. Because we think this will be a short stop on the way back to Missoula, we will probably rent. But, things change, so who knows. Oh, and last question...(for now :) ) How is the hospital there for giving birth? I mean as far as baths, private rooms, midwives? Thanks so much, we really are looking forward to the move.

[CrunchyClark]

Well Creative Play may have part time spots by the time you get here, or she may now! I just remember she used to have only FT spots. :)

<<Also, what do you think of housing costs there? I've heard they are quite reasonable, better than Billings, which we thought were a bargain compared to Missoula.>>

Much better than Missoula. I'm not sure how it compares to Billings. We rented an 1800 sq foot unit in a triplex with a double garage for $650/mo. 3b/2ba big family room with w/d hook-ups. We just bought a house in March though. Our mortgage/taxes/insurance is just a little more than our rent was, so it's nice!

<<Oh, and last question...(for now ) How is the hospital there for giving birth? I mean as far as baths, private rooms, midwives? Thanks so much, we really are looking forward to the move.>>

They are all private rooms on the OB floor with the exception of a sort of 'reception'/monitoring type room that has 2 beds. (Or at least this was how it was last time I was there.) All the room have a deep tub, and they do have a jacuzzi type tub available now I think. The rooms look like a fancy motel...wood floors, everything hidden inside cabinets. There are several midwives here attached with doctors offices. There are also several HB midwives who deliver in the Helena area (although they are not IN Helena).

We have a family practice doc who is really great about our alternatives choices. He and his partner are both really cool! They also both deliver babies, so if I were to hospital birth that would probably be who I'd see :)

[meagen]

That all sounds great! The hospital sounds like heaven compared to Missoula, so that's encouraging. Housing is what we were hoping it would be, and it sounds like Molly will find a great school. Exciting! Thanks so much for all of your help. I'm sure I'll think of more questions along the way! :)

[RufusBeans]

Billings is just not us

:LOL I understand. I grew up in Billings.....

[CrunchyClark]

My dh was born and raised in Billings also! Billings Senior I think was where he went 79-83. Then he lived in El Paso TX for 3 yrs, and then back to Billings until 2000.

[meagen]

I grew up here too, :rolleyes I was less than thrilled to move back. I love Missoula. It's so strange how two towns in the same state can be so different!

[jmjello]

Hello! After months of searching ... we've found our new town and we are moving to Helena the week after the 4th of July! I'm totally overwhelmed but very excited. We live on the Oregon Coast right now, but are originally from Idaho. I love a mountain town and can't wait to get there! I was not able to go when my husband interviewed ... I cannot believe that I am moving somewhere I have never been!! I've been to Bozeman and Missoula. And DH took video while he was there... it is still a bit scary.

I just wondered if anyone had any advice about neighborhoods, family friendly places, etc. I also wondered if there was a family friendly gym that had swimming lessons, etc. DS is 18 months old and that is one thing we have not enjoyed about our current town. There is not a lot of activity geared towards a toddler.

Thank you in advance for any info you might be able to share!

:love
Jenni

[CrunchyClark]

Welcome Jenni! We just absolutely LOVE the Broadwater Athletic Club here in Helena. They have a toddler to school aged swimming lessons. They have mom and me ones also that are great fun. The instructors are all really nice and kid friendly. We've been doing them every summer for three years, and every year we see the same faces teaching and coming to the lessons.

They also have a program 'wiggle worms' during the school year in the mornings. It's free to members. I can't remember the days, but they do crafts and games and playing while you can go work out. It's free to members.

I think a family membership if you're not afiliated with any corporate account is about $65 a month, and $55 I think for a corporatem, so you might have dh check with his new employer.

PM me or e-mail me holly@momufactured.com and I'll be happy to show you around when you get to town :) They also have a waterslide that is included with your membership in the summertime. We go there a few afternoons a week and picnic and hang out. They let you take food in and have a big grassy treed area to hang out in the shade while you eat and rest between runs.

They also have lots of fitness classes--even yoga and belly dancing! That are included with your membership too!

As far as neighborhoods go, there really aren't any 'terrible' areas of town. We live on the northeastern corner of town in the "tree streets" (Apple, Cherry, Maple, etc.). Houses are mainly 1950/60's ranchers or 70s split levels. A gorgeous area is 'Upper Bentonia' (turn of the century homes/apartments) but more expensive. Another nice area within walking distance of the downtown is the area to the south and east of Last Chance Gulch and Broadway. It's a 'crunchy' area of town IMO. Dh nixed all the houses we looked at in that area--taxes too high and not enough yard! Lots of newer subdivisions going in out in the valley. And there are outlying smaller towns that are cute to live in as well--Clancy, Montana City, East Helena (all within 6-10 miles). I wouldn't go so far as Elliston or Avon (21 miles over the divide) or Townsend (30 miles east) or Boulder (30 miles south) or Wolf Creek (40 miles north). As the drive in the winter would be a lot for your dh, and housing/environment isn't that much better in any of the further out towns.

If you're looking for rentals, and find some specific rentals you're interested in, LMK and I run by with my digi cam and take a picture of the outside for you :) Or if you give me the addy, I can tell you the area of town. If you're looking for a realtor, I can give you the name of the gentleman we worked with on our house. He was just great! We told him our price range and what we needed and he was really good about finding good houses for us to look at, and not a lot that were way out of our range, or not what we wanted.

www.helenair.com is the local paper and www.adit.com is a local free advertising paper

LMK if you have any other questions!

[jmjello]

Yay!! Thank you!! I'm PMing you!!!