Quiet, Affordable Rentals Near Nature for a Writer (Deer Lodge: real estate market, foreclosures)

[t16skyhopper]

Hello,

Would anyone know of a good, quiet place for a writer to live alone in an affordable house to rent or buy with fine nature nearby, and where people courteously keep to themselves while being pretty friendly? A good place to bike or commute by bike?--though not as important. Maybe with used book stores or libraries near enough around? I was born in and come from New York, though I've always been told by New Yorkers I look like a transplant. Also, I've lived in California for the last four years.

Thank you.

[allforcats]

Well, to answer your thread title idea, we need to know where in the very large state of Montana you might want to live. It's a very large state... Thus, since you mention commuting, where will your job be? It would be useful to live near your job. If a job is not necessary, which of the two climates do you prefer? And you're not seriously considering bicycling around in the winter, are you?

It would also be helpful to indicate a budget, as you can find rentals for hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars per month.

And perhaps you're not aware of the current national crash in the real estate market which will take another two years or so to level out since an additional 8 million foreclosures are expected in the next two years. You might want to reconsider buying, in order to avoid purchasing something that proceeds to drop in value.

[bigtrees]

I believe there's a Carnegie Melon library in Deer Lodge, and it's a smallish place with sweeping views of open land.

[t16skyhopper]

Hi, allforcats. I'm thinking South Eastern Montana. Budget would be $500 to $1000 for a house, if that's possible, even if it's a cottage or cabin. (What are average heating costs for small houses?) Yes, I am kind of considering biking in the winter. It's part of my Scandinavian blood to at least test it, and I'm almost sure I would ask myself why I ventured that. On Eastern Long Island throughout the winter I biked to work, even through sideways blown snow. It's invigorating after the first five to ten minutes. But I'm guessing Long Island winters probably are like mid to late fall in Montana.

About jobs, I've found out that by taking a risk and just moving to a new area, and then sticking around long enough can help a bunch to eventually getting something--but of course the recession is a recession, and small towns offer limited employment options, rightly offering first to locals.

Thank you, bigtrees, for mentioning Deer Lodge.

By the way, I am impressed by the posts saying that Montanans like to live by their word.