Relocation Help (Billings, Missoula, Stevensville: real estate, crime, homes)

[J.Derrick]

Im a U.S. soldier currently serving in Iraq and soon after i return from Iraq to Germany im getting out of the military. I am interested in relocating to Montana with my wife due to the apparent vast open space and privacy. I would appreciate very much If i could get some information regarding suggested counties or cities for me to look further into based on the following: -Cost of living -Acreage expense, Im looking for somewhere between 100-150 -Distance to nearest town, i would like to live no further than a half hour/45 minutes out of town in case of medical needs or if my wife needs me to get her something. -As close as possible to a college because my wife wants to go back to school. Anything like links or info someone could give me would be a lot of help because i have no where else to start. Thanks in advance.

[Montanaman1]

First off. Thanks for serving your country. You have all our gratitude.

I would start at the web site MT.gov. And also "Google" Montana colleges.

Then come back here when you have specific questions about a particular area, town or city.

[georgiainwyo]

I, too, thank you for your service for all of us! Montanaman1's post was right on target. We'd be happy to help you with specific questions. Just an FYI, if you like "wide open spaces" there's a lot more of that in the eastern than the western part of the state. Western is more mountainous. I don't know much about the other towns, but Billings (largest "city" in the state w/ approx. 100,000), has two good colleges, great medical facilities, and all you would need. Lots of people live in the Billings region and use it for these needs.
Real estate also seems to be less expensive the further east you go. Best wishes and prayers for safety until your return "home"!

[RogueMom]

Stevensville, located in the Bitteroot Valley, is only a 30 minute drive from Missoula, the college town for the University of Montana. The town of Stevensville, and the surrounding valley, is awesomely beautiful, quiet, peaceful, virtually crime free, and there are some older homes with a lot of character in the historical small town of Stevensville that are in the $100,000 to $150,000 range. There is lots of great shopping and terriffic restaurants in Missoula, but everything you need on a daily basis right here in the small town of Stevensville, including several small churches of every faith, a diner, a great pizza place called "Kodiak Jacks", and a terrific town library. There is great support for college football "The Montana Griz", and a lot of support for local high school football and other sports as well. You should definitely check out Stevensville and the Bitteroot Valley before deciding.