Places Near Billings? (Laurel, Lockwood, Roundup: rent, mortgage, how much)

[CTC]

We are looking for areas near Billings (withing commuting distance) where one can live a country lifestyle without spending a fortune, and have a bit of land for say 350k or so?

looking to visit in person, but would like to search virtual first

Views and a few trees would be a bonus

thanks

[MontanaGypsy]

You have Lockwood on the east side and Laurel on the west to choose from. Both small and country-ish. Cheaper rents ect, but you will most likely commute to Billings for work. Rent is OUTRAGEOUS here! Wages are 8.00 an hour to start at McDonalds. Thats just an idea of the wages here.

Personally, I hate this town and I am leaving.

Best wishes and success to you. BTW, look up the Billngs gazette, the local paper and check out jobs houses ect too.

Originally Posted by CTC

We are looking for areas near Billings (withing commuting distance) where one can live a country lifestyle without spending a fortune, and have a bit of land for say 350k or so?

looking to visit in person, but would like to search virtual first

Views and a few trees would be a bonus

thanks

[WyattE]

Why do you hate it there? What kind of wages do you expect to make at McDonalds? No different from where I live in the Midwest.

[GEORGIAINMT]

I am a teacher who started living & teaching in Laurel last year. I've never lived in a nicer community. The people here are so supportive of teachers, students, etc. We just built a $9M Middle School that is fabulous. The community is so proud of the work done to achieve this goal. There is property near here that sounds like it's within your price range...depending on how much land you want. You could get a very nice house on some acreage for what your budget is. We are 10 miles from Billings. My husband commutes and it takes him less time to get to work than people who live in parts of Billings. We have the small town atmosphere yet are close to the country, the mountains, and everything most people need as far as "city" goes in Billings. Billings has an extremely low unemployment rate. That is why McDonald's & other "nonskilled" jobs pay $8/hr. However, there aren't many jobs that pay a high wage, either. It all depends on the kind of work you are looking for. Cost of living is low. Laurel is closing the gap as far as cost of housing compared to Billings, but it is still a bit lower. The people of Laurel make everyone feel welcome. Let me know if there is anything else you want to know and I'll try to help.

[rickers]

For $350,000.00 you can get pretty much whatever you desire, within reason of coarse !
Holy smokes I wish I had that kind of money when I came here ! I settled for a trailer in Hot Springs for $28,000.00 and still have to drive to go fishing ! At least it's paid for so I don't have to get all stressed out over where I'm going to come up with the next mortgage payment !

[jimj]

Hmmm, your sqft prices aren't too far off the flathead prices.

[imbobbbb]

there are plenty of places within your price range north of billings around roundup with trees and land,plenty of closer places around shepard with land but scenery isnt as nice.

[A Neighbor]

Check out Pryor Creek. Beautiful, peaceful, access via either I-90 or I-94. Close, but not like Lockwood, Laurel, Roundup, Park City, Huntley, Shepherd or Columbus. It's not a town, just plain quiet countryside.

[CTC]

I was up in Billings last weekend-it seems like a laid back place-very friendly as well. We really liked where the rim rock-meets the trees kind of topography.

It had a much smaller feel (which is good) than I expected for a city of 100k...and a couple of decent restaurants downtown...I would not want to live too close to one of those refineries though..

Laurel seemed nice too...Thanks for the feed back.

[Kristynwy]

Originally Posted by apanda27

huntley or shepard aren't bad..................

Feel free to further expand upon why they are good areas to live