Places to live around Yellowstone? (Billings, Missoula: apartment, rentals, houses)

[NatreeRose]

I was recently hired at Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone NP and am set to arrive late April. Until then, I was thinking of finding a town near Bozeman, MT where my bus stop is on my arrival date to hang out for a while. A place where I could possibly live in a crappy little apartment, pick up a crappy little job, and make some extra cash before I start work at the park. I'm coming from western NY and really just can't wait to get out west (I've been here too long!). I'm looking at places in Northern Colorado, anywhere in Wyoming and maybe Idaho or Montana. I've never been out west so I'm open.

I'm 23 so I would prefer to be in a college-age friendly town maybe?? Want to meet people my age. I don't have a car so a place with a downtown I could explore on foot is ideal. I come from a town with a great art community. I am a singer/songwriter and have been known to play in dives just for a few bucks or a free meal so a place that supports local artists is always great in my book! I'm not looking for anything permanent, just a temporary adventure before I start my job at the park. SO, any suggestions on destinations or what have you... I'm open!!!

[NatreeRose]

This just occured to me... how is Bozeman for living? I realized MT University was located there. Might be a good place for me to hang out for a while, since I wouldn't have far to go before I had to move into the park.

[emmank]

hey NatreeRose,
funny, I am from WNY also, (southern tier area--out in the boonies) and have been living in the Bozeman area since I graduated HS. I am 24, and am now raising a family here. It's kind of an expensive town (think East Auroraish), but there is a lot to do, especially with the college here... You can always find cheap rentals if you aren't too picky. There are lots of basement apts in town. If I were you, I'd check out the paper (Bozeman Daily Chronicle) and the roommates wanted board at the SUB on campus at MSU and craigslist, because there are always people looking for roommates to share rent in bigger houses. At least that way, it would be cheaper to start, and you'd get to meet some people. There are lots of service-industry jobs in town - I was a waitress for years. I worked up at Mammoth about 5 years ago, and actually met my husband there. It was a lot of fun. Livingston is great too, a lot more laid back, but there are fewer jobs and you have to like living in small towns. Oh, also, a little advice..... you may find yourself working a lot more hours than you wanted at Mammoth. Before you sign your contract (that is, if you're working for the concessioner) you might want to tell them you have a prior commitment in August. You can always stay later if you like it, but chances are they won't give you a whole lot of free time to explore Yellowstone. If your job ends in August, you'll probably have saved up lots of money, and you can spend some time camping and hiking and hanging out in the park before winter hits. Anyway, good luck to you, you won't regret moving!

[JustaSmalltownGIRL]

Bozemans not bad. Missoula is a college age town, thats very artsy, and might be your style. Billings is nice 2 and not to far of a drive. Those are the places I would check out in Montana. Butte is kinda fun.

[Rickers]

Billings has cheap rentals.