Really looking into the move to MT (Billings, Missoula: homes, schools)

[LoweRider]

Hello friends. I've been researching a place to relocate and have narrowed down my list to the following places. These are not in any particular order (other than Choteau, which has edged up to the top of the heap based on my research). Any advise, thoughts, recommendations on which of these areas or any others you may suggest that may suit my needs is greatly appreciated:

1) Choteau, MT
2) Conrad, MT
3) Townsend, MT
4) Boulder, MT
5) Fort Benton, MT
6) Lewistown, MT


About me - I'm a single (divorced) guy in my mid-forties. Very laid back and easy-going. I can handle crowds but do just as well, in fact even prefer, the less crowded, simple, relaxed environments. I'm fairly certain that I can bring a home-based business with me that would provide us with the needed income. I will have my daughter and granddaughter (2 yrs old) with me. My daughter is planning to homeschool her daughter as the schools here in our area are atrocious. But if we were in an area with excellent, trustworthy schools, she'd consider that option.
Both my daughter (epilepsy) and my granddaughter (condition that's similar to a mild form of cerebral palsy) have medical issues that would necessitate being fairly close to medical facilities/physical therapists. Basically, my daughter wouldn't feel comfortable being more than an hour or so (preferably less) away from medical facilities if needed.
The areas listed appear to have several things that are important to me as I look for an area: beautiful scenery; wildlife; small town/Mayberry charm; some conveniences in town (groceries, shops, gas stations, etc.); relatively close to a larger "city" with extra ammendities.
I welcome any thoughts and suggestions. Moving to MT has been my desire for a long time, and I've researched and thought about it for a few years now. I don't know a time frame yet but would like to get something going over the next year or so.
Thanks in advance for your input. I lurk on the forum a lot and do enjoy the posts. Y'all have a great evening,
Alan

[flyingcat2k]

The only two cities that might even come close to your needs are Boulder and Townsend. You'll have to see specialists in Helena if they are there. The two big medical centers for the state are in Billings and Missoula. Neither of these towns will have physical therapists unless they have a mobile service where they do in-home health care.

[LoweRider]

Thank you flyingcat! I appreciate your input. Anyone have thoughts on the medical offerings in the Great Falls area?

[kayakita]

LoweRider, The small city of Plains up in Northwest Montana has a splendid regional hospital with wonderful doctors and nurses AND top notch physical therapists and all the necessary equipment. The climate is moderate for Montana and
the town is located in a beautiful valley right on the Clark Fork River. It also has good
schools and a very friendly community. If you needed additional medical help for your
girls, Missoula (which is only an hour away on a good highway open year round) has
several large hospitals with major specialties. Check it out. I believe you and your
family would be very happy there.

[LoweRider]

Wow! Thank you, Kayakita! I will definitely look into Plains, MT! It amazes me at no matter how in-depth I try to study the area, it's so massive there that new places to research and explore keep popping up! I appreciate your suggestion!
Alan

[LoweRider]

If anyone has any thoughts on the Choteau area, I'd love to hear them. Based on my research, that town just captured my attention quickly. Not one particular reason, just kind of all things taken into consideration seemed to tick a lot of the boxes that would make me want to look into an area more. Anyone from that area on the forum that can offer some insight? Thanks all!
Alan

[Threerun]

Choteau is a very small town situated along the front, situated by the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Amenities are few, but enough to survive. There are a few Hutterite colonies in that area. It's about 1 hour to Great Falls for signifigant medical care.

Winters can be harsh. My friends are from there having grown up on ranches. It's pretty much a ranching/farming community. It is a gorgeous area though.

Hunting is great if you can get access. Of course you can go into the Bob (by foot or horse that is).

I don't know about schools, but I imagine they are very small and limited.

I've been to al the towns you have listed. If I had a choice to live in one of those communties with the added issue of medical facilities I would pick Choteau, then Boulder, then Townsend, Ft. Benton Lewistown and finally Conrad.

[LoweRider]

THANK YOU, Threerun! Excellent info and insight. Like I mentioned earlier, I can't put my finger on just one thing it is about Choteau that attracted me so, but it has. Looking forward to exploring the area and a few others before the end of the year.
Thanks again for the helpful response, my friend. You're a wealth of information!
Alan

[qesan1zbrenbq]

thanks again...

[ilovecb]

I'm sure all the towns you mentioned are nice, but I'd recommend CUT BANK to and for everyone. The almost new Sweetgrass Physical Therapy by the Northern Village Mall provides excellent physical therapy, also the Northern Rockies Medical Center has a good physical therapy department. Cut Bank is near the magnificent world-famous Glacier National Park, and the city has just about all the amenities one needs - schools, churches, excellent shopping, etc, etc, etc. Google Cut Bank Chamber of Commerce, City of Cut Bank, and Cut Bank Pioneer Press (all on Facebook, too). It is a growing, progressive city with a "forward" attitude. Enjoy beautiful Montana!