Relocating to Bozeman from Spokane, WA, need advice! (Belgrade: real estate, daycare)

[happystamper]

Hello!

It looks as though my husband and I will be relocated to Bozeman. We both work for the same company and we will be opening a new facility in Bozeman this fall. I have a few questions:

We are moving from Spokane, Washington. Currently, we have a joint household income of about $70K. Due to the cost of living increase, we will be making somewhere in the range of $85K there. Does this seem like enough to compensate for the cost of living? We have been looking at homes online in Bozeman and also Belgrade, and have found that a home similar to ours now (about 195K) will run us about $280K.

Also, we will have a son starting Kindergarden, and a daughter who will need preschool or daycare. Do Bozeman schools do full day or half day Kindergarden (or both)? Does anyone know if they offer before/after childcare for Kindergarders? Our situation will only require a few hours of childcare a few days a week...but most places these days make you pay for an entire week, since you are taking up a "spot". Thank you in advance for any advice someone may have!

[NYMTman]

That cost of living increase is impressive, but considering real estate prices and Washington's lack of income tax, it might not cover the entire difference. But it will come close, and on $85k you'll be able to live very comfortably either way.

And I'm not sure about Kindergarden, but thinking ahead... Bozeman High School is one of the best in the country (ranked in the top 100 in the nation). It's also the best in the state by nearly every objective measure. So I assume at least the quality of education for younger kids would be very good as well.

[jimj]

You should be comfortable on 85k a year, we are on less. MT has decided to start all day kindergarten but it is going district by district. Check MT OPI (office of public instruction) for details.