Pretty much everyone I've ever met from Great Falls will defend it tooth and nail. For those of us that visit, I've never caught on to the love affair. My coworkers all think of it as a possible fun place to work (law enforcement), but not a great place to actually live. Billings is viewed in the same light. Like others have said though, good outdoor opportunities nearby, and it would be whatever you make of it. To me, Helena still strikes a pretty solid balance for Montana cities- a bit of history, mountains/outdoor activities close by, still affordable(ish), not too many imports, and not Great Falls or Butte.
If Montana cities showed up at a party, Great Falls would be an airmen that did his 3 years in the silos, then gave meth a try, stole some things, got a criminal history and is now living in a manufactured home while working his butt off to get back on his feet while lamenting the loss of Piano Pat from the Sip N Dip.
Missoula has dreads and is drinking Bong Water, still rocking Washington plates on the 2004 Subaru, and brought a "person experiencing homelessness" with them to the party out of charity.
Bozeman showed up trying to look like they just got off the river or ski hill in a brand new Audi Q7 e-Tron with a "Ridge Run" sticker, also with California plates, has a sizeable trust fund, and talks about "living simply" outdoors to anyone who will listen while they "camp" in a $150K Sprinter Van.
Helena is drinking Miner's Gold quietly and doesn't want to talk politics, because everyone thinks they're red since they're from Montana, but in reality they work for a moderate democrat.
Butte is doing a keg stand and trying to impress either Helena or Great Falls' sisters, talking about how they were the largest city between Chicago and San Fran in the early 1900's and they have the world's largest superfund site. But everyone still likes Butte, because they are unabashedly Butte and authentic to their core.
Billings is drinking Coors light, talking casually with everyone, with whom they are generally well liked even though everyone's odds of getting shot went up 80% with them in the building.
Kalispell is petitioning everyone for the ability to open carry belt-fed machine guns and to eliminate the wolves.
Miles City is wearing a sweat stained ball cap, drinking a Coors Light, and wishing they were at a different party with other cities. But eventually holds Buttes feet for another keg stand and then goes home with Billings's sister, only to hook up with her mom.
