Helena vs Billings (Great Falls, Cascade: contractors, college, deed)

[Holly]

Thanks so much. I was wondering how effective solar power was. THat is awesome that you are able to get deliveries without any problems. I figured that with being so remote that it would be a problem. Now if I can just figure out away to come out there and see it. The airline tickets are around 400-500 dollars for one person to fly out there.

Is anyone familar with how often the police force in Helena hires? Or how often the state attorney's office hires? I am concerned about jobs.

Also I am concerned because it does not seem that there is a lot of options in the way of shopping like a best buy or anything like that. What types of stores are in Helena? where do most people go to shop? I hear the mall is a joke in Helena. How large is the airport there?

Is billings more expensive to live in?

thanks for the info.

[markablue]

Originally Posted by rambrush

Well hopefully they won't delete this post....

No moderator has deleted any posts in this thread.

Regards

[rambrush]

It went somewhere, must be out in cyberland looking for a place to land.

[underdog]

the airport here in Helena is really small compared to ports in big cities.
We don't get 747's here.

The mall is a joke but there are lots of small stores to get what you need, your just not going to find it in one place.
A few large stores we have are: Walmart, target, shopko, home depot, ace hardware etc.

Getting on with the police force will be difficult. The police force is rather small and there is a police academy here in town, so there are many qualified people looking to get on.

Finding land in Helena is going to be difficult also. You will have to travel farther out of town to find 30 to 50 acres. If you find land that is cheap there is a reason for that:no access, or water, etc. I can't give you an estimate on the price of a well. The cost is $17-$20 a foot to dig, but it is impossible to know how far you will have to go. A good friend of mine recently bought 20 acres, had the land witched, and dug 3 seperate wells between 600 and 900 feet each. $9,000 later they never found water. My wife and I have lived in Montana all of our lives and are currently looking for 10-20 acres near town. 10 years ago with $250,000 you could have taken your pick of the litter. Today however that same price will get you one step up from a starter home on a quarter of an acre. If you really want land and don't mind driving 30-40 miles into Helena I would look in the Townsend or Boulder area.

Sorry for rambling on but it is late here, hoped I helped some.

[Holly]

thanks for the info. I wondered about the commutting distance with the land prices that I saw listed on realtor.com. I had a feeling they were out in the boonies. But if i loved the land I would do the commute. Maybe Billings would be a better choice for my husband and getting a job. I will do some checking into Billings.

Thanks again. ANd you were not rambling. I need all the info that I can get!

[cluckk]

I used to live near Billings (in Eastern Montana 130 miles is close) and loved it. The mall was good, you have Super-Wal Mart for gorcieries as well as Costco. There are lots of jobs and people are very open and friendly. Being on the plains Billings is a little more windy at times than Western Montana and the temperature will dip lower. Snow however has never been a problem, the cities are setup for it and know how to do it right.

One thing I liked is that the area gets so much sun during the year.

As someone who has lived in nine different states, all over the country, Montana is my favorite. Though I now live in Idaho, as far as I am concerned I will die as a Montanan. Hopefully, 'if the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise,' I'll be able to move back there someday.

[Holly]

thank you for the information... Billings does sound very nice. Still trying to decide which city I want to live in. We are going to try to visit in Janurary.

[MTer]

how hard was to build on a site that has solar power? Is it hard to get building materials in that area? Or people to actually do construction? what do you for snow removal to get to the main road? Sorry i have so many questions, but I have never lived any where so rural before. Is solar power expensive to install? Is digging a well expensive?

=====================

Solar and wells are expensive up-front, yes. You plow your own snow if you live off main streets.

Contractors will come and build, but you'll pay them driving time if you live more than a short distance from a city.

You really need to do a ton more of your own research before considering such a move. Doesn't sound to me like you're ready for it.

[Alan Rowe PI]

I have enjoyed reading your posts, my wife, daughters and I plan to move to MT in about 6 years. I'm learning alot from this forum. I would move today but I have custody of my 2 daughters from a previous marriage, and my ex would bleed me dry in court if I tried to take the girls out of Florida now. My youngest daughter is 12 and has 6 more years of school left. I want to live somewhere in MT that has a lot land at a reasonable price that is suitable for raising cattle. We currently raise a few purebred Simmental cattle and the girls show them in the fairs for FFA and 4-H. They want to move up there with us and continue doing this. Based on some of the realty websites I have visited I should not have any problem selling our place here and buying a much larger place in MT. I don't get into this forum very often, so if you post any questions or comments and I don't reply, feel free to email me at: AlanRoweInv@tampabay.rr.com

[YOU-CANT-EAT-SCENERY]

Originally Posted by Alan Rowe PI

I have enjoyed reading your posts, my wife, daughters and I plan to move to MT in about 6 years. I'm learning alot from this forum. I would move today but I have custody of my 2 daughters from a previous marriage, and my ex would bleed me dry in court if I tried to take the girls out of Florida now. My youngest daughter is 12 and has 6 more years of school left. I want to live somewhere in MT that has a lot land at a reasonable price that is suitable for raising cattle. We currently raise a few purebred Simmental cattle and the girls show them in the fairs for FFA and 4-H. They want to move up there with us and continue doing this. Based on some of the realty websites I have visited I should not have any problem selling our place here and buying a much larger place in MT. I don't get into this forum very often, so if you post any questions or comments and I don't reply, feel free to email me at: AlanRoweInv@tampabay.rr.com

Man Alan, I can relate on the ex and kid custody issues, holding you back. I am in the same boat. My youngest will be 12 in Feb. Hopefully I won't have to wait till he is 18 for me to move. Here in Ca. if the child is deemed mature enough to make a decision with whom he wants to live with, then he can do so. I am hoping he will want to make a move with me. It will still be a few years though