Seriously thinking of moving to Montana (Billings, Bozeman: house, private schools, university)

[bharp3]

Hi, I've looked through the forums, trying to find a post most specific to me and my questions/needs, but I couldn't find one, so I decided to just go ahead and post.

I currently live right outside of Houston, Texas. My husband works in the refineries (just like about 80% of the rest of our city). I stay at home with our 3 sons, one of who has muscular dystrophy, and isn't too disabled right now, but he does have special needs and it will continue to degress (theres a point to me mentioing this later). Anyways, my husband is growing weary of working in the refinery, has never liked the crazy Houston driving and city life, and really just wants to get out. We are orignially from Mississippi, moved to Texas for work, bought a house and well, still just doing the same ol' same ol'.

We live about 5-7 miles from a refinery, and on some days when my boys are outside playing, I can hear them talking about the smell outside, and its because of the refineries and just the city. And I can't stand it. We've been thinking about all the places to go, the peace, our personalities, our childrens upbringing and future..and well, we are wanting to move to Montana probably this time (July-August) next year. Not to start a business or ranch, but would love to own a horse or two, whatever our space allows, for our sons.

I am unsure of the work that is in Montana, so that is my first question, what type of work is there? My husband is a millwright and works on pumps,turbines and can really work on any machine with moving parts. He is qualified here to work for the city and the water company. He is also very interested in the Police force. We're not looking into making a lot of money, just to be able to live..happily, and not breath in smog everyday! We will be moving with no debt, and will only be having to pay for a house,food & living and utility and taxes.

Next question, Where would be the best place to raise a family? Hoping for 3bd rm, 4-6 acres, small town (right now we're in about 68000, and then going to Houston..well its crazy), nice schools but smaller still (in our city now the elementary can have up to 26 per teacher and the highschool can have as many as they HAVE to have, about 29-30 right now). My son now, the one I mentioned earlier with MD, is going to a private school (kindergarten) which has 10 students, the teacher and a teachers aid. He is slightly physically disabled because of his MD, and at the public school he would literally just get run over in the public schools and they offer no assistance because he is not disabled ENOUGH and there are no mental disabilities. As far as going out or "leisure time", we're not fancy. We really like to just hang out at home, grill out and have people over. Occasionally we go to a movie, or the mall so that isnt a great concern. Things for the kids to do or to enjoy, would be a plus. would have to see a neurologist,orthopadic specialist, and cardiologist, which I could look into once I'm given some places to research. Just looking for names of cities/towns to research and google and to visit before we determine an actual move.

Another question to go alone with the town or which part of Montana would be the weather. I know its much much colder than it will EVER be in Houston, and I understand the snow and such. My husband has lived all over the world and can adapt to anything..and I'm along for the ride to whatever. I would prefer, though, somewhere though where I guess the snow and winter weather isn't the worst? Hope that makes sense.

Anyways, I hope I am detailed enough about what I'm looking for, I've seen on these forums that most people ask for more details to really answer someones question or post. Any help or suggestions would be great, thanks!

(Also, we're not "outsiders" wanting to ruin the wonderful state of Montana, we just want to be a part of it and actually blend into it as much as we can..not change anything )

[happiness is]

I just noticed that Montana State University, here in Bozeman, has an opening for a campus police officer.
Montana State University -- Classified Position Vacancy Announcements
scroll down that page link

If, as you say, you can adapt to any weather, then don't let that deter you. It is snowy and cold everywhere in Montana in the winter, and more snow the higher elevation you go.

I love it here in Bozeman, with clear air, not too big and not too small a town, and interesting varieties of things to do, beautiful mountains encircling a large valley with the three rivers coming together to form the Missouri.

Good luck.
H.I.

[happiness is]

By the way, the schools here are wonderful. Many people who work in Bozeman live in Belgrade or out in the country around Bozeman. I'm sure you could find something much more affordable than where you are located now.

[bharp3]

Thank you, I will add that to the list to be looking online for and to research about.

[bharp3]

for my sons Kindergarten at a church private school, 4 days a week is $275 a month. I dont mind paying it (well because my husband works to pay it,lol) rather than having him trampled at public school here.

[happiness is]

Check out this link

Bozeman Eagle Mount - The Eagle Mount Story (http://www.eaglemount.org/story.html - broken link)

Eagle Mount would be a wonderful resource for your child as he grows up. It provides all kinds of opportunities for special needs people, including things that one would not expect... horse back riding, ice skating, skiing, golfing.... a very well supported program here in the Bozeman area.

[bongo403]

From what you described, I think you should look at Billings. Their winters tend to be a bit milder than Bozeman's, and they have top-notch medical facilities. There are also refineries in the area for potential employment, but they aren't dominant and really don't impact air quality much unless you are right by them.

Billings is a larger city (about 100,000) but don't let that scare you, because the difference between it and the Houston area is that when you're out of town in Billings, you're very much in the country. It doesn't sprawl from town to town for miles. Also, if you're looking for top notch medical care and private schools, you're going to have to end up in or near one of the larger cities.

[happiness is]

Yes, as Bongo says, Billings is a good place for medical care. It has the the largest concentration of medical facilities and providers for not just Montana, but serving northern Wyoming and the Dakotas, as well.

Since there are fewer than a million people in the entire state of Montana, when people from big cities come here, our largest city, Billings, feels small to people who would live somewhere like Houston.

Any town in Montana is surrounded by country space.

[bharp3]

Ive had my husband read through some of the forums and this post as well, and yall are just making our minds up for us!

I wish we could just pack up and move there, now. The Eagle disability park that HappinessIs posted looks amazing and you've both given me some great places to look into. Hoping to make a trip to Montana and spend some time in the cities yall have mentioned and get a feel for things and see what we could make happen.

Thanks!

[happiness is]

I hope it all works out for you.

Good luck!