Young woman moving to Montana (Missoula, Bozeman: condo, house prices, teaching jobs)

[Scooby Snacks]

I lived in Great Falls, MT as a young woman and am a part time resident of Anchorage, AK. I recommend Montana as a wonderful place to live, especially if you love the outdoors. The cost of living is low and the state is very beautiful. However, it is more isolated and remote than most of NY, even upstate. That didn't bother me, but it might be an issue for others. If you like the larger cities, Helena and Great Falls are among them, but MT doesn't really have any big cities like NY does. They have larger towns, small towns, and tiny dots connecting highways I recommend you visit before you commit for sure. The job market is pretty stable there, no matter what field you go into. Good luck!

[Montguy]

OP, I think the Bozeman and Helena areas would be the best for you to focus your research on, even if their respective COLs are going to be somewhat higher than that of Great Falls (not a terrible place to look in to, either, but I think a more "business-minded" area like Bozeman in particular is going to be a better investment in the long-run, especially if you're at all considering wages and savings in the future).

This isn't to say that you have to live in the Bozeman city limits--check out the entire micropolitan area and its employment opportunities--local classifieds (you have to have an online subscription to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle to access them, I believe) would be a good place to start, of course.

I know that the weather isn't a concern for you, but I still have to assure you that, contrary to common misconceptions, Montanans don't live at the mercy of Arctic weather blasts for nine months of the year. Although the weather in the Northern Rockies is hardly predictable, I would venture to say that the months of April through October bring few surprises for the most part--rain, sun, heat, maybe some mild wind-chill, and maybe a random Spring snow shower that disappears in 24 hours or less (the mountains were capped with fresh powder as recently as June 18th where I live, but you'd hardly know it now). I notice the variances to be most extreme throughout November and March. All in all, expect four seasons (even if winter will indeed feel like the longest).

[NDak15]

Originally Posted by Keim

It has been a few years since I went to Bozo, but you may be thinking of Manhattan. Which would be oddly fitting for our OP to move to... GREAT steakhouse there.

I do miss Sir Scott's Oasis. Great steakhouse.

[Heart]

OP, the friendliest part of the state, at least for me and my family is in the Bitterroot Valley. My mom in law is a school teacher in Florence and loves it, and the small community. Hamilton, Stevensville, Florence, and Lolo are good places in my books. You get more sun there too. Good luck to you.

[Redraven]

Strange that nobody mentioned Billings...
Big city (for Montana), LOTS to do, generally nice people, lots of small towns within easy commuting distance, many rural places near town to rent or buy...
We have a "mini-farm" five miles from town. Not far away, there is one for sale; 4.2 acres, 3 bed two bath house, outbuildings, good well, nice place. I think it is over priced at $319,000, since it was built about 50 years ago.
Anyway, Billings is a place to consider.

[twoponies]

Strange nobody mentioned Whitefish.

If you have some money saved, you can find a nice little house on the outskirts (or a condo) for under $250-300K. Ski town, and much smaller than Bozeman. Tons of stuff to do there. If you get an itch for a visit to the coast, the train goes straight to Seattle from Whitefish, and at a reasonable fare.

While there is a strong contingent of very wealthy, older transplants and vacation property owners, there's also a consistent young, active vibe. In summer the place is littered with Mt. Bikers.

While it is much less "Christian" than its counterpart (Kalispell) a few miles to the south, it is still a conservative town, and there are plenty of churches in the area within a 20 minute drive.

If there are no teaching jobs in Whitefish proper, there probably are in Kalispell, but it would require a 20-35 minute commute. It's also milder than Bozeman in winter climate.

That said, the area is crazy with tourists in summer.

[twoponies]

Originally Posted by Redraven

Strange that nobody mentioned Billings...
Big city (for Montana), LOTS to do, generally nice people, lots of small towns within easy commuting distance, many rural places near town to rent or buy...
We have a "mini-farm" five miles from town. Not far away, there is one for sale; 4.2 acres, 3 bed two bath house, outbuildings, good well, nice place. I think it is over priced at $319,000, since it was built about 50 years ago.
Anyway, Billings is a place to consider.

Nobody mentioned Billings because it's a dive?

Well OK it's close to some fabulous country...in Wyoming.

[Reziac]

Well, here's how snooty and rude those small town folks are... one evening a few months back I stopped at the bar at Logan (population what, about 250?) which I'd never been in before... I was trying to track down someone from there who'd married and moved... anyway not only did someone share the info I needed, I enjoyed an hour chatting with the barmaid and the regulars about whatever topics came up.

[Kate250]

Hey Everyone,

Thank you for all of your ideas. For any who are interested, here is an update. I visited MT just recently. We drove from the southwestern part of the state (near Yellowstone) to the north (near Glacier National Park). I loved it so much! Everyone we met was super nice, friendly, and welcoming. The weather was great too. I enjoyed the low humidity. I really love Bozeman's downtown area. But I think for permanent settling down type of living, I liked Pray the most. That area is so beautiful, open, and refreshing. It would take less than an hour to get to Bozeman from there if I were in need of a downtown fix. I hope I will end up there one day! We shall see!

[Montana Griz]

Originally Posted by Kate250

....................(SNIP)>>>>>>>>>>>>. I really love Bozeman's downtown area. But I think for permanent settling down type of living, I liked Pray the most. That area is so beautiful, open, and refreshing. It would take less than an hour to get to Bozeman from there if I were in need of a downtown fix. I hope I will end up there one day! We shall see!

Yes, Pray is a quiet, nice little community (current population of the Zip Code "59065" area around the town is approx 680.) I have a friend who has some land in the area & is my source "for local info & gossip"

The actual "town' which sets on 5 acres, is privately owned by Ms. Barbara Walker, and is currently (as far as I know) For Sale, for 1.4 million dollars. It was put on the R.E. market in February 2012. If it didn't sell by mid 2013, I understand it possibly would be "auctioned-off"..........don't know what has transpired.

Edit: Correction of info.......... It was put up for auction on June 27th 2012.......my friend says he doesn't know the results.