Need to relocate - Looking for ideas (Missoula, Bozeman: homes, find a job)

[djohnmd]

Denver has grown too much for my wife and I and we seek a new location once the boys are out on their own (about 4 years from now).

I'm hoping folks could give us some recommendations on some places that meet the following criteria:

-Courtesy – would like to live in an area where folks still say thank you, open doors, say hello when you walk by and in general are courteous.
[SIZE=3]-Outdoors – We are horse people and want to live in an area that is horse friendly and that has plenty of options for rides. We are not into the dressage/ hunter jumper bit but rather into the trail riding aspect of it. Would like some awesome country to explore on our horses. Our hobbies include hiking, fishing, nature watching and simply being away from the city life.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]-Climate – have no issues with Colorado winters but the summers have been too hot for us[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]-Work – both of us are Computer Geeks and although I would love to not make a living sitting at a desk that is what pays the bills for us. Willing to drive up to one hour each way for our commute into work.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]-Traffic – I don’t want to live in a area where folks feel the need to race to the next stop light, jockey back in forth on the freeway to get one car ahead of you, drive like they are headed to the ER with a dying passenger. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]I think my above description paints a picture for the type of location we would like to live in. We thought Montana would be a place to start researching but after reading the posts on this site it sounds like Montana is facing the same problems Colorado is.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Any recommendations on where we could find our little piece of paradise described above would be great. Budget will be around 250K. [/SIZE]
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[Joe Doer]

You might want to check out the Helena area. If you are willing to drive an hour to work, that gives numerous options in all directions. You may have job opportunities their too.

Good luck!!!

[Fungi]

Hi,

I would suggest that you look into the LaGrande area of Northeast Oregon. Quite small, but a college town surrounded by lovely mountains, affordable, and pretty much overlooked by the hordes. I would move there if I could find a job in my field.

Check it out.

[djohnmd]

Thanks for the ideas folks! I will start investigating Helena and LaGrande. Any other ideas for me to check out? - Thanks all

[JetMech72]

Originally Posted by djohnmd

Denver has grown too much for my wife and I and we seek a new location once the boys are out on their own (about 4 years from now).

I'm hoping folks could give us some recommendations on some places that meet the following criteria:

-Courtesy – would like to live in an area where folks still say thank you, open doors, say hello when you walk by and in general are courteous.
[SIZE=3]-Outdoors – We are horse people and want to live in an area that is horse friendly and that has plenty of options for rides. We are not into the dressage/ hunter jumper bit but rather into the trail riding aspect of it. Would like some awesome country to explore on our horses. Our hobbies include hiking, fishing, nature watching and simply being away from the city life.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]-Climate – have no issues with Colorado winters but the summers have been too hot for us[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]-Work – both of us are Computer Geeks and although I would love to not make a living sitting at a desk that is what pays the bills for us. Willing to drive up to one hour each way for our commute into work.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]-Traffic – I don’t want to live in a area where folks feel the need to race to the next stop light, jockey back in forth on the freeway to get one car ahead of you, drive like they are headed to the ER with a dying passenger. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]I think my above description paints a picture for the type of location we would like to live in. We thought Montana would be a place to start researching but after reading the posts on this site it sounds like Montana is facing the same problems Colorado is.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Any recommendations on where we could find our little piece of paradise described above would be great. Budget will be around 250K. [/SIZE]
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Sifting through the crazy html code problems with your post, I think I've got the gist of what you're looking for; Horses, Courtesy, Back country exploration, cool summers and long commutes in traffic that doesn't drive you nuts.

Well, the Bitterroot Valley fulfills most of those needs. Summers across Montana can reach into the triple digits. "Freeway" commutes made me chuckle. There isn't much of that here, however the 45 minute commute from Hamilton to Missoula can **** a person off. But, anyway, I think the Bitterroot fits your idea of a good place to live. As far as the names of the towns there; Florence, Stevensville, Victor, Corvallis, Hamilton and Darby....not mentioning the "settlements" there of Sula, Grantsdale, Pinesdale, The Wye, and Carlton.

[djohnmd]

JetMech72:

You summed it up nicely for me! Thanks for the list of places to do some research on. Look like we need to take a vacation out to the Missoula area this Winter/Spring and see for ourselves what it has in store. The better half has been to Helena and Bozeman for business when we both worked for Mine Safety Health Administration and she loved it. It should be a fun visit. Thanks again!!

[RobertaFromMT]

By far, Whitefish, Montana is more of what you said you are looking for than any of those other places and much more mountainous and green and lake, and ski area...! Also anything near Glacier National Park like especially West Glacier, MT is even more rustic yet not too far from the beaten path the tourists travel so far to see. I was born in the Flathead Valley and I never go to Helena or anywhere East because they just don't compare. I would move to West Glacier or even East Glacier, MT though. Bozeman has a great and expansive feeling beauty. I do like it there.

[motorcycle momma]

I know that you said that you like horses and outdoors. I ride a motorcycle and enjoy Montana's Hwy 200 that is located on the west side of the state (Thompson Falls). You should also look at Hamilton, MT - little further south of Missoula, but still - beautiful.

I am an eastern Washingtonian. Can't say anything bad about the PNW, Idaho or MT. You might want to consider the difficulties of airport travel so you can get to your grandchildren (once they come).

[Bbrad]

Lots of places in Montana will meet your criteria, with the possible exception of work. Bozeman has a relatively good number of companies/jobs in the computer/high-tech industry. The traffic is relatively bad for Montana, but doesn't compare to Denver. An hour commute in Montana will take you a long way.

[rickers]

I get a Denver tv station on our cable and when I see the news I feel like I'm watching news from LA with all the robberies rapes and murders.