Moving to Montana (Billings, Missoula, Lolo: condo, houses, job market)

[Fullpipe]

I'm considering moving to Montana but I have no idea where. I'm a single Father of two and Id like to have at least 20 acres and a house on the edge of the city limit for $200,000 or less. What's the best place for families. The town I live in now is very friendly everyone waves at each other. Theirs a Christian College here and it's a dry town. Any places come to mind in Montana that are like this?

[dc53]

Ya gotta be kidding- for a livable place??

[imbobbbb]

there are plenty of places in eastern montana where you can find what you're looking for for 200k or less.once you get west of livingston things really start to go up.within a 50 or 60 mile radius of billings there are plenty of small acreages with ok houses.this is also true around great falls.the western parts of the state,which most feel are more scenic,are pretty much priced out of your range.

[NYMTman]

No dry towns though.... this is Montana we're talking about

[HG_75]

200,000... um...

[jimj]

Anaconda,Philipsburg around the Granite valley. Work may be a challenge though.

[lewisia rediviva]

What are you going to do with 20 acres? It's too small to derive a decent farming income from and too big to maintain as a yard. I don't know of anywhere you can buy 20 acres with a house in Montana, not any that would have the water rights to maintain it, or on the edge of town for that kind of money. You could find some recreational ( no water, power, ambulance,fire, police services) up on some mountain somewhere and then the closest place of gathering would undoubtedly be a bar not a church or not necessarily the one of your worship choice. unfortunately you can barely buy a condo for this in many parts of Montana.

[jimj]

Originally Posted by lewisia rediviva

What are you going to do with 20 acres? It's too small to derive a decent farming income from and too big to maintain as a yard. I don't know of anywhere you can buy 20 acres with a house in Montana, not any that would have the water rights to maintain it, or on the edge of town for that kind of money. You could find some recreational ( no water, power, ambulance,fire, police services) up on some mountain somewhere and then the closest place of gathering would undoubtedly be a bar not a church or not necessarily the one of your worship choice. unfortunately you can barely buy a condo for this in many parts of Montana.

Hmm, I found four just in Anaconda, here's one:
$200,0003 Bed, 2 Bath1,647 Sq. Ft.
20.36 Acres Single Family Property, Area: 7-W of Rocker to Ana, Approximately 20.36 acre(s), Year Built: 2003, Spa/hot tub(s)
Seemed to me it had water,power to run the HOT TUB and a 3 car garage.
There are more in different places in MT. While some places have become expensive to live it is not indicative of the whole state. Property around the resort towns and bigger cities has risen higher than the rest of the state but there are still less expensive properties available away from the area's above.

[Carolina_Belle92]

I hate to say this... but you can't really get anything nice in MT for 200k anymore, especially 20 acres. If you want something that inexpensive, you're looking at eastern MT, and that's no fun.

I can tell you from experience that western MT is home to many friendly people, as well as a very large Christian and evangelical community. Religion here is a big deal. Thinking about something on the edge of city limits... I'm thinking maybe Frenchtown would do you well (about 15 mins. out of Missoula), or possibly Lolo (other end of Missoula, still about 15 mins. out). Frenchtown is probably a little more inexpensive, but it's still getting pricy here as people keep flowing in.

There are a few towns a little farther from Missoula that would be more inexpensive, such as Bonner, Alberton, and Huson; but these towns are kind of your stereotypical redneck villages (lots of trailers, a little dirty, etc.). If you can't stand the redneck element, I suggest Lolo, although you will be paying for it.

Additionally, Missoula (as a city) has some fantastic schools; Hellgate High in particular is outstanding. I suggest Missoula only because it is a nicer city than Billings (IMHO) and the public schools are better. The job market in Missoula is pretty healthy as well. And in the whole valley, people are extremely friendly. Driving home from Missoula, at least five or ten people I have never met in my life wave and smile. It makes you feel good.

Good luck! I hope you find what you're looking for.

[rickers]

Here ya go. www.jerrybolandrealter.com/listing/014/014.htm (broken link)