Bozeman cost of living ... (Kalispell, Livingston: sales, safe area, good schools)

[seven of nine]

Amy will your job have benefits? This would help in deciding your income. Utilities will be more here due to the cold. That is dependant on your type of heat, oil or electric. Some are going thermo-geo in new constructions which I think is interesting.
Here is a link to the local paper
Bozeman Montana Classified ads online
the link goes right to the rentals, when I look at the prices I can compare it to the Portland Or area and with your salary you will be on the lower end of the income scale. There are less expensive areas of Montana to live but then you have to consider your job. Boz is very pretty but out of the range of cost that I want to pay now. Good luck. Someone else will post.

[amyflorida70]

seven of nine
Thanks for the information so far!! Yes this job has full benifits.
I was wondering if maybe their would be a town close to Bozeman that maybe would have cheaper cost of living that wouldn't be extremly far to drive?? It sounds like a wonderful opportunity for him, so we will see. Thanks again.

[amyflorida70]

We have geothermal in our house now, its wonderful, clean, cheap. I think that everyone should look into it. If they can anyhow.

[electric_lady]

Amy, prices seem to get cheaper out of Bozeman. Look into Livingston or Belgrade. Or rent and see what the market does. You can get a decent-size 3BR right in Bozeman for about $250K. Seems high to me, but then again it's right in town. I've heard prices have gone down quite a bit in recent years. Maybe they'll continue to slide. Have you moved to Bozeman yet?

[amyflorida70]

No we haven't moved yet, but actually we would probably rather live ouside of town or country anyhow, most definatly woudl rent 1st before commiting to anything anywhere.
I wondered if Wyoming would be any cheaper, would anyone know???
This job has a postion in Bozeman, Montana, and also in Casper, Wyoming not really sure which of 2 would be better. I agree I think that 250,000 is pretty darn high. Thank You electric_lady.

[NYMTman]

Average home price in Casper seems to be around $170k as opposed to $300k in Bozeman. But Bozeman is the nicer town in my opinion... though I'm a young guy who enjoys the college/yuppie atmosphere.

[amyflorida70]

Thank You NYMTman, I think we want to be a little more rural, somewhat close to his work and shopping but we are hoping to find a cabin to rent and do the country thing.

[NYMTman]

Well - there are more woodsy areas around Bozeman than there'd be around Casper if you're into trees. Prices tend to drop dramatically as one leaves the city limits of Bozeman so there shouldn't be much of a price difference in your situation.

[amyflorida70]

Thats really good to know and I am definatly wanting to look more into that. Thanks for all of your help NYMTman.

[romath]

I hope the price of housing and finding a place out of town isn't all that matters to you. People typically move to Bozeman because of the scenery and the three-to-four season recreation, in addition to having the educational and cultural benefits of a university town (tho without a non-liberal arts college). Casper is not the end of the road, but it can't really compete unless going to the rodeo is your thing. If you're making 60 to 80k, I'm guessing you could come out for several days to take a look at each.