Seriously thinking of moving to Montana (Bozeman: fit in, school, farmers)
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I've looked at Bozeman's "high prices" and if that is what you call high prices in Montana, then I better pack my bags and head over soon. Because, I cannot even get a craphole apartment in Hood River, ORegon for what I can get a decent house for in Bozeman.
Bozeman housing prices really aren't that bad for what you get unless you're talking about college-style rentals where the landlords don't see the point in keeping up the house, and get away with charging above-average rent.
I think the housing prices (at least renting) are reasonable when you consider the proximity to so much glorious adventure land. Much of the criticism comes when it is time to purchase a home, and in Bozeman, a 2BR condo can be almost $200,000. When most people are making about $15/hr (and many make less), the prices don't add up.
It's a common issue in the more desireable places to live though, and it doesn't begin to even hold a candle to the wages/cost of living in Colorado.
Keeping my post alive about Billings while my husband is waiting to hear back about some testings he's done..God willing, he'll get the interview callback in 2 weeks!
Anyways, while we're waiting and I am still searching and looking into everything. I requested and received a Billings type of magazine/brochure from the org site.. It just has main numbers for Billings, lots of budget and policy things and everything to do around and out of town.
I was wanting to get any real live people (and not just Google and facts) opinions and ideas about Shepherd? If my husband were to get the job, it would only be about 25 minutes away (right now he is driving 40 miles to work, and with traffic it takes close to an hour..so 25 minutes is nothin!). I just havent seen too much posted on the board about it, though I'm going to search and see.
Once again, any tips and information is so greatly appreciated!
Just wanted to say, around Billings is looking now where we will be moving (if all goes as planned). The dr's and schools and all. More than Likely we will rent the first year, to get a good grasp on billings and surrounding areas and where we'd like to BUY and stay permanently. The pay for the jobs my husband is looking into seem about the same, as does the rent for a house. The actual buying house prices are a little higher than where we are, but that's fine because like I said we'll rent for the first year.
Praying and planning this works out great! I keep seeing sale for winter clothes and I just want to stock up..but cant.. just yet
So,anymore useful information on Billings and surrounding areas, I'm still needing any info!
Thanks
I don't live in Billings, I live in Wyoming. However, I do my major shopping in Billings. Let me preface this with, "I hate large towns and particularly citys."
Billings is not a bad place to be. It is surrounded by places, I wouldn't mind living. To go North of Billings toward Roundup, is a beautiful drive and if a person could find land up that direction it could work out really nice. Same with the area around Laural, specifically to the West of Laural. Billings itself, I don't like. It's probably not bad for others, but again, I don't like towns. I haven't been up in the Heights area so can't comment on that. I have friends that live on the West end of Billings and their particular area I really like because it's nice and quiet. No traffic, older 1950-1960 built homes. Good solid construction, simple, nice yards.
Once you get to Billings you'll understand why I drive 147 miles to do my shopping. Grocery chains where I live are Wal-Mart, Albertsons, Safeway, or a mom and pop store. Major chains are, we have a Home Depot. NO Sams, No Costco, etc... So when I go to Billings, I drop a dime or two. I always make a nice day out of it, or in some cases, we make a weekend of it. Motels are outstanding in the area, there are more restaurants then you can shake a stick at and so far, I haven't found a bad one. Might one day, but I've only been going there since 1992.
Other shopping is outstanding. Clothes, furniture, hardware, hard to find parts, leather goods, camping supplies, everything you could possibly want.
Having worked a job that put me through Billings 4 or 5 times a week, I can say that the weather in Billings during the winter is usually not as bad as a lot of other places in Montana. Roads and Highways are kept bladed during heavy snow, and seldom does the wind shut down Highways to the East or South of Billings. Can't answer to North or West as my trips were from Sheridan to Laural or Sheridan to Foresyth (We had to travel interstate so Sheridan to Billings then over to Foresythe).
You could do a lot worse then Billings. In my eyes, you could do a lot better. hahaha But that is only one mans opinion, so take it for what it's worth.
I live in a little 480 sq ft cabin on 3 acres. To the South of me, the next building is over a mile away. To the East of me, the next building is over 2 miles away. To the West of me, it's a mile to the next place. However, to the North of me is 300 ft of driveway and then connects to a thriving metropolis of 850 people town. (which is still too big when I think about it). hahahahaha
Good luck on the interview and results of your searching. I wish you luck!
Ive gotten alot of feedback on this post and just to keep anyone that is interested updated, we're coming up next week! We will be getting there thursday around noon, have all afternoon to look around and see whats to see, have ALL friday except about 2 hours to cruise around, check things out and see what end,side or whichever way of Billings interests us more.
Elk hunter, you have the life my husband wants!
We're coming from outside of Houston, where the town we live in itself is just a little smaller than Billings, but it seems so much busier, I guess because of the Houston traffic and business coming through.
The idea I'm getting from this forum and from other places online, is that when you're not in downtown Billings, you can just about "be out" of the city or what city is like here.
Really looking forward to our trip, if theres any tips or ideas on places we just HAVE to go to or see, let me know! Thanks everyone for all the tips,info and support.
-- Just thought I would update. We did have an awesome trip in October, and after a long wait, we are now set to move to Billings in April. My husband is starting work at the beginning of March, and the family and belongings will follow later! Thank you to everyone for all the wonderful advice, and tips and help.
Regarding your question about Shepherd, I have a cousin who has lived there and raised a family there over the past 40 years, and they love the town. You should check it out.
Congrats on moving to Montana. I think you will like it. Of course, I don't live even close to a big city, Billings is about five or six hours from me.
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I think being close to Billings will be better for my sons and their MD for any appointments and things like that, also my husbands job is going to be in Billings. I have no idea of the road names, but when we did vist we drove about 15-20 mins from downtown.. to somewhere where there were open lands and houses with acreage for sale..i think either past the airport or the opposite direction. I'm horrible with directions and didnt drive, ha. Probably where we will be looking when we buy..we will be renting for the first 6 months - year to get our new Montana ducks in a row.
Lots of things to prepare and get ready, and so ready to be a resident of Montana!
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I always make a nice day out of it, or in some cases, we make a weekend of it. Motels are outstanding in the area, there are more restaurants then you can shake a stick at and so far, I haven't found a bad one. Might one day, but I've only been going there since 1992. 
