Browning (Billings, Missoula, Bozeman: coop, houses, buy)

[GiftShoppeGuy]

Saying it nice or not really isn't the point.

Browning, Montana is a windswept, economicly depressed area, that gets mighty windy and cold in the winter. There just isn't any getting around it.

Make your plans, and move to Browning. Only you can decide on whether or not it will suit you.
It must suit a few others, because if it didn't, then the town wouldn't be there at all.

Browning is my fuel stop when I travel from Great Falls to Kalispell.... or to St. Marys.... or parts further north.
Aside from fueling up, and getting a few munchies to go with... Browning holds no other interest for me.

[MontanaGuy]

There's no need to talk disrespectfully to VirginiaGirl you guys. I suspect that you're probably fairly young and just want to do something adventurous. There's nothing wrong with that but even though JoeJoeMan might have sounded a little rude his basic point is correct. Browning is a very bad choice and it's really not too late to consider other options. If you don't mind my asking what sort of work do you do and how has your housing situation been set up? You mentioned something about not having a choice in the matter. What exactly do you mean? You also mentioned April as the time when you're expected to arrived for this new job. I would strongly suggest that you reconsider all of your options and really think this thing through. There are some beautiful and desireable places to live in Montana, but Browning doesn't happen to be one of them. You're the one in charge of your own affairs and you do have the ability to choose other options. Good luck to you.

[VirginiaGirl]

JoeJoeMan may be right. Reading comments in a forum may not prepare me for the town, but at least I'm not going in thinking its going to be the best place in the world. You can never be completely prepared for a place. If you were, what would you learn? Not much. And, somehow, I think there are much worse places to live in the world than Browning, Montana. Prison, for one.

Basically, I'll be working for the senior center and an employment agency group there. I volunteered for this (as crazy as that sounds) and I've already committed to it. I can't (no, won't) back out now. That's why I said changing my mind wasn't an option. But you're right MontanaGuy, we always have a choice. And I've been thinking about what I'm getting ready to do for the past year & half. I'm not just jumping into this thing. That's why I'm in the forum, actually. I wanted to learn as much as possible in addition to the other research that I've already done.

Adventure isn't really the word I'd use either. Learning is. Maybe I'll hate it there. And maybe I'll learn something new. Which I think is the whole point of being here on this big blue ball. But thanks for the well wishes, they help a little. Makes me feel a little less defensive.

[MontanaGuy]

Well, it sounds like you're going for it so give it a try and make the best of it. I find I like a change of scenery every few years myself. After Montana I moved to Seattle for twenty years, Denver for seven years, and now I'm in Phoenix after five years but I just retired and as soon as I sell my house I'm moving to Nashville. It can be fun to completely change your surroundings and it does give you a new perspective on things. If this doesn't work out for you there's always other places that will. I hope that it does.

[lorelei2873]

Browning is the only place in Montana where I won't stop for gas when I'm alone. I wish you well and wouldn't really say that working at the prison would be worse than working Browning, however. At least prison is a controlled environment.

[GiftShoppeGuy]

Originally Posted by lorelei2873

Browning is the only place in Montana where I won't stop for gas when I'm alone. I wish you well and wouldn't really say that working at the prison would be worse than working Browning, however. At least prison is a controlled environment.

heh heh heh.... my wife won't get out of the truck there either by herself....

[MontanaMiss]

I was just surfing around on the net and couldn't believe what I found, yuck! I grew up in the town of Browning, and no it wasn't easy. I have light skin and hair coloring and learned early about racism based solely on a persons appearance. That is why I am so disgusted by some of the comments posted on here about the town of Browning. Yes, there aren't a lot of visually pleasing things about this town in particular and yes it does get cold there, but, it gets cold in Cut Bank (a "prettier" town) also, that is evident with the huge Penguin on the edge of town =), but, there is more to this town than just what you see. An important thing to remember is that the people of this town have not always been blessed with economic security, and alcoholism and drug abuse is rampant, and that does make life harder, when you've lived in that situation it is much easier to understand why the world you live in isn't always pretty and "structured". Let me tell you something about the people of this town though, they are extremely proud, loyal, loving, hard-working, understanding, compassionate, humorous, creative, intelligent, and if you earn their trust they will open there homes and lives to you and help you in times of need, no matter what. The people in this town may not know how to Thank You for your help in making this a better place for the Seniors (who by the way are revered in this society) and the people of this town, but believe me they would feel it in their hearts. I wish you so much luck and blessings and will pray that you are able to look past the bad things in this town and find the beautiful things, they are there. The mountains of Glacier aren't a bad thing to wake up and look out at every day either! It is one of the most amazing places on earth and I'm so excited for you to enjoy it in the Summer.

[VirginiaGirl]

Thank you MontanaMiss! That is what I had begun to suspect from all of the research I'd been doing. And while the economic situation isn't great, they've been making strides to make it better. And the appearances aren't what I'm worried about. That stuff doesn't matter. The people matter. Thank you for your comments! Hope reigns supreme!

[Reziac]

I haven't been to Browning since about 1980, but as some have implied, it's a place where you just might make a difference, because people there need some hope. It's bleak and dusty and sets records for heat and cold, and it's economically depressed (no different from a lot of the old reservation towns that went to drink and the dole and general hell). But if you're there for one of the Indian dance festivals, you'll see a different picture, one you might come to appreciate or even love. For whatever faults Browning has, those festivals are the picture that stayed with me.

Browning is half an hour from a number of fine recreational and wilderness areas, an hour or so to Shelby (more of a town than Cut Bank), and about 3 hours to the big city of Great Falls, where I grew up -- back then GtF had the finest schools in the country, and the best environment for kids that I've seen anywhere.

One good thing about Browning, you can buy a house for cheap, and it won't be a bad house for the money, either. I've seen listings for as little as $30k for a pretty decent house.

~REZ~

[mcdoerr]

Good Luck to you and your adventure to Browning. I hope you have a good experience and are rewarded for helping some of the people that need the most help in the USA.
I originally asked if anyone knew anything about Browning because I too am interested in the people. Specifically the Native Americans. I think that the Natives have been the most discriminated against race here in America. I would like to see things change for them. I would like to help in any way I can. I am so tired of other races thinking that they have it so bad. They need to be educated and learn who here in the USA really is living a rough life.
I am sponsoring a child that lives in Browning. I hope that in some small way that what I do and our correspondence will be a positive impact on her life. There are so many people and children right here in the USA that need help. I wish that more Americans would help here in the USA first before sending their money to other countries.
I would love to hear from you when you live in Browning and get your opinion about the area. You could help me by telling me firsthand what it is like to live there and what is available to do and to buy. It doesn't look like there are many business in town. I also would like your opinion on the schools.
Are you going to work there through an agency? Good Luck and may God Bless You.