Best Montana town for a middle aged woman (Billings, Laurel: rentals, employment)

[missmc66]

Hi I'm a middle aged woman thinking about relocating to Montana. Is it hard to find work if it's a college based town....meaning do they only want to hire college kids. What about the dating scene for middle aged people? Friendliest and cheapest city in Montana? I would appreciate any other information you may feel useful that will help me decide .

[MTSilvertip]

What kind of work are you looking for?
Does the area need certain amenities like theater or shopping?
Does the weather make a difference?
Most of Montana is pretty conservative, so very friendly overall.

Cheap, you're looking in the wrong place. Because of shipping costs, most things cost more than they do in areas where there are shipping hubs. Because of the cold for a large portion of the year, we do have heating costs that may figure in, and depending on what town you are in, rentals may be limited.

As for middle aged dating, most of the farming communities have older bachelors, but they can be hard to find as they spend most of their time working on their property usually miles from town.

You may wish to do some research like visiting prior to planning to move here as it isn't always an easy place to survive.

Good Luck

[historyfan]

Montana is not a place to move to without a job or means. If you need a job, land that and the town goes with. Mt.gov/jobs
As far as cheap goes, Montana is not an inexpensive place to live. Some areas are much less expensive, such as Thompson Falls, but employment opportunities are not plentiful.

[NDak15]

Originally Posted by missmc66

Hi I'm a middle aged woman thinking about relocating to Montana. Is it hard to find work if it's a college based town....meaning do they only want to hire college kids. What about the dating scene for middle aged people? Friendliest and cheapest city in Montana? I would appreciate any other information you may feel useful that will help me decide .

Most of the pretty areas are not cheap to live in and the wages often do not do a good job keeping up with the cost of living. As was stated previously make sure you have a job lined out before coming in. I'm not aware of a preference for hiring college students in the college towns. As far as requirements, what are you looking for in a town?

[bongo]

Well, if you want friendliest, Red Lodge is the friendliest town we have ever seen. Rent is very reasonable & Laurel is less than an hour for super Walmart, Billings an hour for Costco.

Beautiful old historic buildings. Very, very safe town.

In the summer RL is one of the gateways in to Yellowstone.

In the winter, must love snow! Do you ski?

[sky1949]

Originally Posted by bongo

Well, if you want friendliest, Red Lodge is the friendliest town we have ever seen. Rent is very reasonable & Laurel is less than an hour for super Walmart, Billings an hour for Costco.

Beautiful old historic buildings. Very, very safe town.

In the summer RL is one of the gateways in to Yellowstone.

In the winter, must love snow! Do you ski?

I've lived for various periods of time in many aprts of Montana. It is really hard to evaluate the "fiendliest" place. The smaller towns may be very friendly if you are their type of people. Otherwise, it's a crapshoot; maybe OK, maybe not. It depends on your values, lifestyle and, most importantly, your willingness to "live and let live", i.e. don't try to change it. The larger towns are generally more flexible,not because thepeople are different, but because the vatiety of folks is much more varied and larger. I.e., a alrger pool of different lifestyles and beliefs. Although you might find amny differnt types in the smalletr twns, the larger towns are more likely to have a sizeable variety. Employment is vary different. If you RE blue collar industril or oil field worker, them NE Montana is the hands down winner. Big bucks and many possibitities. Billings/ Yellowstone County has the most highly concentrated ooportunities for all types of employment. Any other place is a distant alternative. Bozemaan is hot but very, very expensive place to live with highly competitive, and small, job maket. Lots of college student and graduate competition. More spicific information needed.
.

[missmc66]

I will be working as a waitress or doing customer service .I live very frugal and will be renting a studio apt. I plan on working 2 jobs. I will be arriving without a job lined up but, have an adequate amount of money saved up.I'm not looking to get rich in Montana.I'm just seeking a change in my life. I would like a town that does have some thrift stores, movie theater and a few dive bars. The two towns that interest me most are Billings and Butte.I know Billings would offer more work but, Butte seems like it may have the western look that I like. I'm sure in either place there will always be a need for a waitress or some type of customer service job.

[MTSilvertip]

Either would fit your criteria. Butte is an old mining town, lot of spirit, lot of attitude, lots of old neighborhood bars. It also has a lot of festivals and different events throughout the year.

Billings is the largest town in the state, again, lots of events and activities, more shopping opportunities.

One thing to factor if you are living a frugal lifestyle is that Butte is much higher in elevation and in the mountains, so it does get a lot of snow and cold, so higher heating costs.

Billings is on the prairie, much warmer place.

Of the 2, Butte would probably be the quicker place to know your way around, make friends, as it is smaller and the folks are pretty friendly for the most part.

Billings would be easier to loose yourself as it is a bigger place, more anonymity if you want.

Both towns have a lot of family style restaurants, and some larger upscale and chain food service so you shouldn't have a lot of trouble finding a place to work in that industry as people move in and out of those jobs quickly.

Either would be a good choice, but I would see if I could line up work and a place to live before moving here permanently.

Good Luck

[NDak15]

Billings has more going on and Butte has a lot of character. I would pick the town with the lower cost of living.

[missmc66]

I think I will visit both and see what I think. I 'm always looking on craigslist and I have spoke with some rental companies.Thanks for everyones input.