Need some advice, but there's a little ranting too...sorry. (Billings: transplants, house)

[JeremiahJohnson]

Moving up to Montana in a month or so and was hoping for a little advice. I'm originally an Oregonian born and raised, but have lived in Southern California for the last 5 years. I've had enough. But before we all get started bashing, don't...I'm just exploring. People from Oregon have the same problem people from Montana have...ignorant, rich people from California and other wealth producing states. And having read the posts thoroughly, I'll say only this. People can't buy if people aren't selling. Oregon has all but sold out, sounds like Montana is well on it's way. Greed prevails even in the eyes of the natives selling their land away. Oregonians have no one to blame but Oregonians, Montana can only say the same and it's true for every small community that lets in big business and chooses to do business with developers. We can blame "outsiders", but the "real finger award" always goes to local government and the people who decide money is worth more than their local heritage. Period. It's kinda like running through bear country buck naked in late summer with a basket of huckleberries strapped to your arse, and then complaining there's too many bears. Senseless.

As for my decision to "try" LA, well, what better way to see the dragon than to go to it's lair. I don't regret it, I've met a lot of great people here, but still the overall attitude is appalling. Seems like everyone is an actor or entertainer, 90% of those aren't even that, just wannabe's. Everybody down here wants to be, or act like, somebody else or a heck of a lot more than they are. I most certainly gained a better understanding of why people want to leave, it's a wealthy person's game and real people are the minority. In addition, So Cal is absolutely saturated with transplants, first generation, or illegals from just about every country (mostly south of course, but not limited to). It seems down home values here are all but gone, yet what I've found so incredibly interesting is that mine are not. And you know what - it made me very popular. I'm not rich, don't care to be. Don't drive a sports or luxury car or SUV and could care less. I drive a Tacoma. A plain old 2wd regular cab with a dent in the back and a 15ft kayak on top. Who cares. My point is that once a country boy, generally always a country boy I guess. And now it's time to come back to the outdoors and good small town living. I could go back to Oregon, but I have explored all four corners and everywhere in between. BTW, incredible small town community in Oregon as yet virtually undiscovered...Joseph, Oregon. Base of the Wallowa mountains, entrance to the Eagle Cap Wilderness, it's a gem. Amazing scenery. Great little historical town. Almost bought a cowboy bar/saloon there with eight rooms above. Looked like it was right out of a John Wayne movie. Too much money though, and they dropped the rooms down to 8ft ceilings. that was smart!!

Anyways back to the advice part. I am a bartender/manager/general manager and future entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry and was wondering how the turn over is there. I'm 38 and well versed, been doing it successfully since I was old enough TO do it, but absolutely refuse to work for chain restaurants. Are there many independents left? People who may need an experienced warrior to ward off the all too corporate competition. I'm NOT looking too change anything within the community, believe me I would never be that insulting. But by golly if I can knock one of those Applebee's or any one of the number of faceless corporate restaurant entities out of the running to make room for something locally based, count me in!!! I got your number too "Denny's"! Haha! Anyhow, where would be the best place to look? Been through Montana many, many times. I know the area, the weather, so on so forth. I know the Dirty Shame up in Yak all to well. Shout out to Rick. Great people. Loved Whitefish/Flathead Valley area, but not if it's meth central. If I remember right, that's not to far from Hungry Horse area, and that must be meth central. Have an uncle in Billings but looking to stay west. Curious as to what Bozeman is about these days, hope it still has a little personality left. Mostly looking to work for and meet good people who understand what life is really about.

[BennyPhoenix]

It seems like everyone in Oregon and Montana complain about Californians moving in and causing whatever problems. But the reality is that 99% of those folks have just used California as a waypoint.
You are an Oregonian that moved to Calif. From what I can tell, more than 75% of the people In the Los ANgeles area are not from calif. If everyone who is not a californian would move out of calif then this state would be the heaven that it once was.

[JeremiahJohnson]

Originally Posted by BennyPhoenix

It seems like everyone in Oregon and Montana complain about Californians moving in and causing whatever problems. But the reality is that 99% of those folks have just used California as a waypoint.
You are an Oregonian that moved to Calif. From what I can tell, more than 75% of the people In the Los ANgeles area are not from calif. If everyone who is not a californian would move out of calif then this state would be the heaven that it once was.

I agree, and California is still fun. But it's not the out-of-staters here as much as the foreign population that makes it really unbearable. Ignorant to American culture and rude. Just too crowded and too much attitude to stay. Would have loved to have been here 50-60 years ago. It's a shame as to what it has become...privacy is at a premium. California still shines when you get to the Sierras though, that is for sure. Especially the much less crowded Eastern Sierras. Hike a couple of miles off the road though, and you practically have the whole range to yourself on either side. Beautiful.

[countess1166]

Moderator cut: advertising
If you saw blogs putting Red Lodge
down they are just jealous. It IS the best place.

[jimj]

Originally Posted by countess1166

I have a house for sell in Red Lodge MT. If you saw blogs putting Red Lodge
down they are just jealous. It IS the best place.

I knew you were selling something, so much for honesty!!!!!
That explains fully all the "red lodge is great" garbage you've been putting in almost every thread on this board.

[Radek]

Originally Posted by jimj

I knew you were selling something, so much for honesty!!!!!
That explains fully all the "red lodge is great" garbage you've been putting in almost every thread on this board.

I also was curious.

[Gman2007]

Originally Posted by Radek

I also was curious.

I hate getting behind with the posts! Gone for a couple days and two pages of Red Lodge!

[Reziac]

Originally Posted by jimj

I knew you were selling something, so much for honesty!!!!!
That explains fully all the "red lodge is great" garbage you've been putting in almost every thread on this board.

I noticed the crapflooding too... knew something was being hawked but hadn't seen what. Well!!

[JeremiahJohnson]

Originally Posted by Reziac

I noticed the crapflooding too... knew something was being hawked but hadn't seen what. Well!!

What the heck is this "Red Lodge" garbage? My thread went to heck in a hand basket...the town of Red Lodge is spamming?

[jimj]

Originally Posted by JeremiahJohnson

What the heck is this "Red Lodge" garbage? My thread went to heck in a hand basket...the town of Red Lodge is spamming?

Naw someone is trying to sell a house and thinks everyone's too stupid to get that.
Now that it's been pointed out I'm guessing it's over...