A few questions from a young married couple looking to move! Responses GREATLY appreciated! (Billings: sales, rentals)

[mrspink]

Well, my husband and I are newlyweds and have discussed moving to several states. But after a long discussion today, we realized that we were looking at places that were "safe" and convenient rather than places that suit us. A little background before I explain...we are young 21, 22 (but would be 23 and 24 when we moved) We have a small dog and are very active people. Now...more about why I'm here!

As I said, we were looking at safe places and not places that suited us. We were looking at previous places that did not fit our personalities. We are young, will both have college degrees (BAs), love outdoor and indoor activities, love the water and just love being active in general. We have no children and are not "running away" from any problems as I have seen many people do. We live in Ohio and are ready to start on a new adventure in life. Neither of us have ever had problems getting to know people in new places and feel like once we have the money we want to leave. But we are doing our research first! After a lot of looking around we have already discovered that places like Maryland, Kentucky, California and New York are not for us. At the present moment we are looking at 2 states...Montana being one of them. (a big change lol but Hawaii is the other as I posted this also in the Hawaii forum!)

With this info, I am hoping some of you can give us a little help/advice! If we decide to move to Montana we will be applying there (beforehand) for teaching positions since we are both in the education field. How are the opportunities for these careers there? In Ohio the outlook is pretty girm and I'm curious about Montana. Cost of living... I do not know if it is as expensive, especially compared to Ohio, but we will both be working and would plan to rent. How are rental options there? (in any location) What are the BEST places to rent (money aside for now)? Are there very many dog friendly rentals? And if so are they usually good quality? How do the locals treat people from outside states? Would it be worth the move for us, if we want a different lifestyle and are looking for some adventure?!

Any feedback, even about questions I have not asked is appreciated!

We are exploring our options and want to consider Montana. I appreciate honest responses...as blunt as they may be (ex. saying it would be hard but doable etc.) I already realize however that the grass is not always greener on the other side. But right now I'm simply looking for info.

Thank you SOOO much in advance! I hope to learn as much as possible!

[bigtrees]

Good luck to both of you.

Here's my comments about Montana: Money is hard to come by for new teachers. New teachers in Superior, MT make about 22k a year while new teachers in Billings, MT (largest city) make about 32k a year.

Most new teachers start in small school districts and then move to larger ones as they get more experience because the pay is better.

[jimj]

There was just a news story about how teachers are leaving MT for WY because the pay is better. It said that there was starting to be a teacher shortage because so many are leaving...

[mrspink]

Ok. THank you both for that information on the job situation.

Can anybody comment on the lifestyle there? Like I said we are very active and love being outdoors, but obviously it is different from Ohio...any thoughts? Maybe someone could tell me what the younger (yet married) crowd does around the state.

[GEORGIAINMT]

Personally speaking, I'm one of those teachers who moved from Montana across the border to Wyoming. Last year my take home pay (after fed & state income tax, Medicare, union dues, insurance just for myself, FLEX) was just over $1500/month. That is with 5 years experience and 15 hours over my Bachelor's. I got my first Wyoming paycheck today. After federal taxes (there is no state income tax here), Medicare, insurance on BOTH my husband and me, and FLEX (we don't have a union either) my take home pay was just over $3000! That's with just one more year of experience. If you look at my gross, my contract in MT would have been $33,000 this year and in WY it is a hair under $50,000. Not only does the money issue affect us, it affects the kids we teach. There is SO MUCH MORE money in the school budgets here than in Montana. This allows for more resources, more paraprofessionals, smaller class size, more specialists, etc., etc. It's a win/win situation. As for cost of living....where we are rent is higher and it's harder to find a rental than where we were, but to buy a house is very comparable. Gas is about 40 cents/gal. cheaper here. Groceries are cheaper. As for the landscape, weather, etc.....that's a hard one to call, because those things differ depending on where you are in both states. You would have to check out the areas you might be interested in regarding those things as well as amenities, etc. We are much happier now, not only because our finanicial situation is better, but because we love the town, the people, size of town & all that. I'm not trying to "dis" Montana. It's a great state with great people. The money just isn't there. I know that money doesn't buy happiness, but unfortunately we have to be able to make a living. You have to decide for yourselves where the best place for you is, I'm just giving you the facts in our personal situation and hope it sheds some light on why there is so much news about Montana teachers leaving for Wyoming. Best wishes to both of you. You've chosen respectful, awesome careers!!!!

[GEORGIAINMT]

I forgot to mention about other taxes. There is sales tax in Wyoming, but not in Montana. However, there is no sales tax on food. So you'd pay more on your items but notice it mostly on big $$$ items like vehicles. Our license plates on our vehicles in Wyoming were WAY less than in Montana. That was a very pleasant surprise! Property taxes are also much lower. Between those things and no state income tax the little bit we pay in sales tax doesn't even come close to comparing.

[jimj]

I'm glad you found a place that will pay you what you've earned school wise! I wish we'd flip to the WY tax program, then at least all the tourists would help pay their way.

[Reziac]

Originally Posted by GEORGIAINMT

Personally speaking, I'm one of those teachers who moved from Montana across the border to Wyoming.

Where in Wyoming are you?? As you note, it's a big and diverse state... and the character is both like and unlike Montana!

[GEORGIAINMT]

We are in Gillette. We really like it here. So many people said we wouldn't but they were wrong!

[Reziac]

Originally Posted by GEORGIAINMT

We are in Gillette. We really like it here. So many people said we wouldn't but they were wrong!

Ah. I've been thru there a few times, in a previous century... don't recall anything that stands out positive or negative, just a "regular town". Dunno what's not to like about that.