thinking about moving (Billings, Missoula, Great Falls: fit in, living, cost of living)

[nananicole]

I'm just trying to get an idea about the cost of living up in Montana. I've just retired, and I'm tired of the warm climates. I want cold weather most of the time, and no hot summers. I love the snow, and getting bundled up to go outside. I'd like to settle someplace away from big cities, but near a walmart(for shopping). I have no pets, but might get a goldfish(lol)
I enjoy a laid-back lifestyle...any help at all will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Nancy

[kdwom@bresnan.net]

Our COL is fairly low compared to the rest of the country. I don't know about the WalMart but Great Falls is snowy and lowest cost I think. We have WalMart in Helena but if you want the best and don't mind a little drive to a Walmart, I'd suggest Hamilton ( Bitterroot Forest ) or Corvalis, maybe Lolo, south of Missoula. Farther south, the more beautiful.

[MTer]

It's usual for those of us who live in rural Montana to drive an hour or more each way for our weekly (or whatever) shopping, to WalMart, supermarkets, etc. You need to decide what you want. If you want a close WalMart, you'll need to choose a city--Helena, Butte, Bozeman, Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, etc. If you want to fit in with the locals, you'll find a rural place you love then do the drive for your shopping.

If you're a person who has to hit stores everyday, bypass rural Montana. It's a different lifestyle (outside of the cities).