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Old 03-29-2014, 12:34 PM
 
Location: Florida
17 posts, read 23,079 times
Reputation: 12

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O.K., here it goes... I am pushing 60, sgl female. Still need to work a full time job. HS grad, some votech continuing ed. Love the outdoors, but still want creature comforts. Nature lover at heart, not into hunters. Have lived in extreme cold and currently in extreme heat & humidity. Miss the mtns and love the ocean too. I'm searching more for a lifestyle choices, but it wouldn't hurt to have convenient shopping and a way to meet new people in things like hiking groups,etc. Whattaya think my chances are being happy to retire in Helena???
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Old 03-29-2014, 02:09 PM
 
Location: North Dakota
10,350 posts, read 13,931,399 times
Reputation: 18267
Quote:
Originally Posted by naturesgirl View Post
O.K., here it goes... I am pushing 60, sgl female. Still need to work a full time job. HS grad, some votech continuing ed. Love the outdoors, but still want creature comforts. Nature lover at heart, not into hunters. Have lived in extreme cold and currently in extreme heat & humidity. Miss the mtns and love the ocean too. I'm searching more for a lifestyle choices, but it wouldn't hurt to have convenient shopping and a way to meet new people in things like hiking groups,etc. Whattaya think my chances are being happy to retire in Helena???
You would probably do okay in Helena. I'm not sure of the cost of living of Helena specifically, but I always warn people that the wages in Montana are some of the lowest in the nation.
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Old 03-29-2014, 05:23 PM
 
Location: NM-CR
325 posts, read 576,691 times
Reputation: 220
You'll be fine. Go there and visit. The city is pretty friendly and the scenery is great.
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Old 03-29-2014, 06:58 PM
 
1,302 posts, read 1,578,086 times
Reputation: 2777
Slim......... You should visit and maybe spend a winter there before you buy any property..
just sayin???
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Old 03-29-2014, 09:54 PM
 
Location: Approximately 50 miles from Missoula MT/38 yrs full time after 4 yrs part time
2,308 posts, read 4,121,336 times
Reputation: 5025
Quote:
Originally Posted by naturesgirl View Post
O.K., here it goes... I am pushing 60, sgl female. Still need to work a full time job. HS grad, some votech continuing ed. Love the outdoors, but still want creature comforts. Nature lover at heart, not into hunters. Have lived in extreme cold and currently in extreme heat & humidity. Miss the mtns and love the ocean too. I'm searching more for a lifestyle choices, but it wouldn't hurt to have convenient shopping and a way to meet new people in things like hiking groups,etc. Whattaya think my chances are being happy to retire in Helena???
IMHO, your better choice would be Missoula.....

Odds: Helena, I'd say your chance of being successful and happy in your move----50%
Missoula:....60%.
Billings:.....65%.

From your brief bio, I'd plan on having to accept a job that pays minimum wage


Where ever you end up, Keep your mouth shut regarding your feelings as related to hunters and the sport of Hunting.

Also where ever you THINK you might want to live in Montana.......it would be absolutely mandatory for you to visit at least a week in the summer (preferably during forest fire season), and definitely for a week in late February........other wise, your odds will drop down to about 20%..........JUST MY OPINION AFTER LIVING HERE FOR 35 YEARS.

Best of luck to you.......the above opinions are what I would consider factual and hopefully helpful.
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Old 03-29-2014, 10:30 PM
 
5,401 posts, read 6,527,148 times
Reputation: 12017
For the outdoorsy lifestyle you seek, I think you would find more what you seek in Bozeman or Missoula, or even Hamilton or Dillon.
Do secure employment before you move. As previous poster said without a college education or trade you may be limited to minimum wage jobs. Good luck.
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Old 03-29-2014, 10:58 PM
 
Location: Lost in Montana *recalculating*...
19,743 posts, read 22,645,978 times
Reputation: 24902
Helena is a nice town, I'm sure you could find happiness here, but jobs are pretty tough to come by unless you are okay with low wage stuff. It would be very hard to survive if you are dependent on an income to head into retirement.

I'm not saying it can't be done, but you and only you know your asset strength heading into retirement. There may be greener pastures. You only have to look at COL trends in Helena (or Montana for that matter) to see what you are faced with.

Most folks above 45 are already settled and are married, and the median age here is pretty high compared to say Bozeman or Missoula. There aren't a whole lot of single 60- somethings. I think the older set that I do see are active, but I don't know if it is a fertile ground for single 60-somethings- and I don't mean to assume anything, because I am not.

Very tough questions from you, and I don't know best to respond. Maybe some more details?
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Old 04-01-2014, 07:45 AM
 
Location: NM-CR
325 posts, read 576,691 times
Reputation: 220
Quote:
Originally Posted by historyfan View Post
For the outdoorsy lifestyle you seek, I think you would find more what you seek in Bozeman or Missoula, or even Hamilton or Dillon.
Obviously you've never been to Helena - McDonald Pass area or Canyon Ferry Lake. Hamilton and Dillon have no jobs and higher gas prices.
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Old 04-01-2014, 07:46 AM
 
Location: NM-CR
325 posts, read 576,691 times
Reputation: 220
Quote:
Originally Posted by WyoEagle View Post
You would probably do okay in Helena. I'm not sure of the cost of living of Helena specifically, but I always warn people that the wages in Montana are some of the lowest in the nation.
Nope that would New Mexico - also one of the poorest
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Old 04-01-2014, 04:30 PM
 
Location: Idaho
836 posts, read 1,661,688 times
Reputation: 1561
I agree to check Missoula, Bozeman or elsewhere; for being a capital city Helena seems a bit lacking to me in stores and other amenities.

Billings? meh.
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