Bozeman cost of living ... (Big Sky: apartment, rent, house)

[electric_lady]

I have some friends who have offered me a room in their rented house for $275 a month. Even if I make $9, I would be able to afford this and all my food and gas. This, to me, seems cheap. Especially compared with other desireable mountain cities. Not to mention being a college town - in Ann Arbor, Mich. for example, I'd be looking at at least $600 for my own room, not making any more money than in Montana.
So, I guess I'm wondering why is the cost of living considered to be so high in Bozeman?
Is food and gas really THAT much more expensive than the average American city? I know it's somewhat remote, but, can anyone give me an idea here? Are we talking like $5 for milk or something? What gives?

[seven of nine]

Originally Posted by electric_lady

I have some friends who have offered me a room in their rented house for $275 a month. Even if I make $9, I would be able to afford this and all my food and gas. This, to me, seems cheap. Especially compared with other desireable mountain cities. Not to mention being a college town - in Ann Arbor, Mich. for example, I'd be looking at at least $600 for my own room, not making any more money than in Montana.
So, I guess I'm wondering why is the cost of living considered to be so high in Bozeman?
Is food and gas really THAT much more expensive than the average American city? I know it's somewhat remote, but, can anyone give me an idea here? Are we talking like $5 for milk or something? What gives?

Heck you can rent an entire house for that here!
It is all relative dear, the frog in the pot never knows it is boiling to death because it is unaware that the temperature is going up.You are most likely a victim of this mentality. The cost of living has doubled in areas like Bozeman because of the population increase, need more utilities, schools, roads, ect. What seems reasonable to you might be a burden to others.

[Jbechtel]

Well, for one thing, not everyone would consider living in a room as a place to live. If you have common interests with the folks your moving in with, it might be a good deal. Let us know how it goes for you on the cost of living, since you won't be paying any property taxes. Your young have a ball!

[RobinD69]

Bozeman is so close to Big Sky and Yellowstone as well as being a College town rent is actually pretty high considering what you are getting for the money and the fact that jobs are scarce.

[NYMTman]

It's not very expensive now that the bubble has burst. Prices have dropped probably 50% here. They were unsustainable in the first place given the utter lack of jobs.

Other places in Montana are doing just fine - no bubble there.

[seven of nine]

No bubble here, just a few toots

[RobinD69]

Purchase prices of homes are still too high. Property values are still too high. Jobs are still few and far between. I dont see where the bubble is done yet, I believe we still have another year to a year and a half before the prices become reasonable. I look thru the paper on a regular basis and am looking for the prices to get down to where they were 5 years ago before the bubble got out of hand. A home around here that is renting for 1300 should be at about 800 and an apartment that is currently at 500 should be no more than 300 and I dont see this happening yet.

[Jbechtel]

Originally Posted by RobinD69

Purchase prices of homes are still too high. Property values are still too high. Jobs are still few and far between. I dont see where the bubble is done yet, I believe we still have another year to a year and a half before the prices become reasonable. I look thru the paper on a regular basis and am looking for the prices to get down to where they were 5 years ago before the bubble got out of hand. A home around here that is renting for 1300 should be at about 800 and an apartment that is currently at 500 should be no more than 300 and I dont see this happening yet.

That's interesting,...what makes you think this?

[seven of nine]

Originally Posted by Jbechtel

That's interesting,...what makes you think this?

Might I invite you over to the porch? I might find some tennis balls since you seem to enjoy a good game of volley
I would like to hear some of your thoughts, come visit.

[rickers]

I don't believe that waiting for prices in Montana to go lower before buying is wise. You can already buy a place for less than you can rent it for. I am not an expert on freaking anything but If I had any extra capital laying around I would buy more property right now. Bozeman rents are only viewed as high when compaired to the other places in Montana. Good luck.