I need help deciding where in Montana I should move to (Billings: to rent, car insurance)

[pookiepoo]

Hey, I am a 27 year old disabled veteran, mostly neurological issues, so I have a guaranteed monthly income around 1,300, have recently graduated college (Bachelors), and have pretty much set my mind to relocating in Montana from NC. I have been seriously considering Bozeman as my destination. I am a total trout bum (flyfisherman) so I must be by fish, I must be around plenty of attractive young women, I bowhunt, and basically love being outside. I've checked out craigslist and saw some rather inexpensive places to rent, it seems pretty inexpensive overall.
So, how is Bozeman? What's it like? How are the people there, friendly/mean? Is it really as inexpensive as it looks? How is the fishing if anyone knows? How is it for dogs?
I don't know anyone there, any help is much appreciated, Thanks!!

[sky1949]

Pookiepoo: Bozeman is great for dogs, and is definitely very well located for a fisherman. However, it is generally considered very expensive as far as housing, perhaps the most expensive in the state. I haven't looked at the places listed on craigslist, but if the places are in Bozeman and are inexpensive, they must be really, really small or dumps. Also, they might be located outside of Bozeman, e.g. Manhattan or Three Forks, which aren't bad at all (I doubt that even Belgrade is inexpensive). I live in Billings, but have adult kids in Bozeman and Livingston, used to own property there. Livingston is very nice and not far from Bozeman. It is increasingly attractive as an alternative to the cost of housing in Bozeman, and is considered a premier fishing location. Obviously, Since Bozeman is home to a univedrsity, it is chock full of nice young women.

[GEORGIAINMT]

The term "inexpensive" may be relative! What you think is inexpensive in North Carolina's perspective may be expensive to those in Montana. For MT, yes, Bozeman is one of the most expensive places to live. If your only income is $1300/mo. then you won't afford much of a place in Bozeman unless you basically have no other debt. Best wishes to you in living your dreams!!!

[rickers]

With only $1300 per month income you will barely afford to live in a trailer on an Indian Reservation if you expect to eat, pay utilities, have car insurance, etc. etc. etc. The jobs in Montana don't pay much at all and you'll be shocked at the cost of living here especially in Bozoman.

[pookiepoo]

Thanks for all of the input. I have found a few jobs in my field, HS social studies teacher, in other areas of Montana (such as Helena) but none in Bozeman as of yet.
How are places such as Helena for fishing?

[rickers]

Helena has large reservoirs nearby but fishing is best done from a boat on large reservoirs. The Missouri River and lots of creeks nearby should offer some fishing opportunities.

[GEORGIAINMT]

You won't be able to do very well on a teacher's salary in most of Montana, let alone Bozeman. Montana teachers don't teach for the money, that's for sure! If I could have afforded to continue to live in Laurel on my teacher's salary I would still be there, but I moved back to Wyoming and doubled my take home pay. It's sad, but true.

[pookiepoo]

Georgia, how about Wyoming? Do you think that it may suit me better as a teacher? I have looked into a few areas there, such as Gillette, and it seems very nice. Do you have any suggestions as to where in Wyoming I could have better luck finding a job, that is still very close to fish and attractive women? I really want to live in a mountain type environment.
Thanks

[GEORGIAINMT]

Originally Posted by pookiepoo

Georgia, how about Wyoming? Do you think that it may suit me better as a teacher? I have looked into a few areas there, such as Gillette, and it seems very nice. Do you have any suggestions as to where in Wyoming I could have better luck finding a job, that is still very close to fish and attractive women? I really want to live in a mountain type environment.
Thanks

Well, I think it would be a trade off. You wouldn't find the kind of fly-fishing in Wyoming that you would in Montana. Montana is very well known for it's tremendous fly fishing locations (although I don't participate myself, so I'm not the best source of info on that!). Wyoming has lots of fishing areas as far as rivers, streams, lakes, but I've only done live bait or lure fishing, not any fly fishing. Maybe some fly fishermen out there can give you some info on where in Wyoming they fish. Also, Montana has more areas that are what I would consider "mountainous". It's a larger state, although Wyo is quite big, with more mountains in the western part of the state. A lot of Wyoming's mountains are in Yellowstone, but there are the Tetons near Jackson, the Big Horns which divide the west/east part of the state, Casper Mountain, and the Snowy Range near Laramie, etc. The problem with the Jackson area is that it would be way too expensive to live there. The saying is that the billionaires are driving out the millionaires.

I lived in the Big Horn Basin the first 33 years of my life and enjoyed the Big Horns immensely. I then lived in Montana for 13 years before returning to Wyoming. I'm now in Gillette. The closest mountains are about an hour & a half away, but I like Gillette because we are right between the Big Horns and the Black Hills of E. Wyoming & So.Dakota. It's a close drive to some beautiful areas. We chose Gillette because I got a job with the school district that pays very well and because the school district is fantastic. A lot of people don't like Gillette because it's a very "blue collar" town, with energy being the main source of income here. We have grown to love the people here in a very short time. Right now we don't have any social studies positions open, but you never know when something might come up. Campbell County is growing so quickly that schools are being built with the possibility of growth in the junior high/senior high area coming down the pike.

To wrap things up, I think it has to be up to the individual as to where the best place for each person is. Like I said, there's always a trade off. For us, we had to find a place that would provide us a better income than just enough to barely make ends meet and still offer us the area to enjoy what we like doing on weekends, etc. It wouldn't hurt for you to check out Montana, Wyoming, and possibly other western states to see where you would have the quality of life that you desire. As many on this site suggest, it's best to come visit first before making any decisions. Best wishes to you in your endeavors!

[ElkHunter]

Several places in Wyoming afford excellent fly fishing. I know Sheridan certainly does. Lots of creeks and streams and lakes and ponds around here.

As a fellow vet let me first say, thank you. You may want to know that there are only 2 VA's in Wyoming. One in Sheridan, one in Cheyenne. There are several VA clinics throughout the state but you know how the clinics are. If in doubt, they send you to one of the two VA's.

Don't know anything about the Cheyenne VA but Sheridan is outstanding.

We have excellent schools here in town but I'm not sure where or how they list teaching positions. The girls school lists them in the normal job listings you can find at www.wyomingatwork.com . You might take a look at that. It will list all the jobs available in the state.

We can always use a good teacher. What area can't?

Cost of living is probably about the same as most places in Montana. Although I think with your income (only Disability) you could squeeze by, even in Sheridan.

Good luck on whatever, or wherever you decide to relocate to.