Bozeman or billings (Big Sky, Plains: ski resorts, insurance, houses)

[atlantis7]

In an easlier post, I was asking about Bozeman housing and so on but now it seems that my wife may also have an interview in Billings. I have neve rbeen to Billings but Bozeman on the way to Big Sky and YS meany times. I know I like the Gallatin Gateway area. But what are the main differences in Bozeman and Billings BESIDES a relatively reasonalbe cost of living in Billings that Bozeman doesn't have? My wife says that practically the same job in Billings pays 12 thousand more. In a cost of living index, it would cost a thosuand dollars less to live there than here in Houston (that is cheap).The index says that for a salary of 68,000 in Billings would require 90k to live on in Bozeman!

So besides the obvious (housing) what are the cost differences between Billings to Bozeman and the difference in the personality of the areas?

Thanks

[rickers]

Bozeman is in a mountainous location whereas Billings is a great Plains city with a nice river. Bozeman is closer to good skiing I think. Billings has a much lower cost of living as far as housing goes at least.

[NYMTman]

Bozeman is a skiing town and a college town in the truest senses of those terms. Bozeman also gets more snow. But most importantly it's much prettier, in my opinion.

[montanafarrier]

Billings is fast growing, has a nice downtown, the northern part of the city is really nice, it's pretty flat. Lots of people ride bycycles and mopeds- you just don't see that too much anywhere else.
housing is high in billings and the houses are ugly.
Bus transportation in billings is lousy but almost free. Schedule is unheard of.
If you go there and stop downtown for a beer, enjoy Hooligans bar.
Happy hour has good deals on food and drink.

[michael11747]

pretty much agree with everyones' posts, but if you are looking for a long term move, i think bozeman would be your best bet. in terms of housing and investments, bozeman is near major ski resorts and has the university. both are like insurance policies. and the housing market has declined quite a bit which makes it a great investment to build equity.

but if you aren't looking for long term appreciation in your investments, then why not pick billings? if you can save that much money out there, just buy a house in bozeman with your savings in the future if you get sick of billings.

and there is the natural beauty aspect of it all. but that all depends on you.