possible to live in missoula on ~20K/year (Miles City, Glendive: renting, home)

[meridavi]

Hey all,

I just moved to Missoula last week because of all the great things I've heard about the place and because I'm thinking of going to the university after I get MT residency. I must say, this place is even better than I thought it would be! The people are wonderful, the land is beautiful, and the beer is damn awesome.

I just interviewed at this cute little Montessori preschool today. I would love to work there, but would only be making 11/hr. I will be renting a little cabin 15 minutes north of Missoula for $500/month, not including utilities. I don't have many expenses, but enjoy trying out bars and seeing shows in town fairly often. Do you think that I'd be able to have a comfortable life making 11/hr? What is Montana state income tax like?

Any advice will be really appreciated!

[flyingcat2k]

Originally Posted by meridavi

The people are wonderful, the land is beautiful, and the beer is damn awesome.

Short answer, No. The winter heating bill will likely be over $100/mo and about the only way you're going to eat out a lot is if you eat fast food (not recommended), you work part time at a restaurant or get a roommate. I'd go with the roommate option.

I would hope you are talking Bayern Brewing! It is far better than Big Sky but you can only get it in Montana.

[NDak15]

I lived near Missoula in a slightly cheaper town and made $24,500 and I was flat broke all the time. I would not recommend Missoula or much of anywhere in western Montana unless you made at least $40,000 which would still make home ownership next to impossible. About the only places you might be able to live on that kind of a salary would be Eastern Montana on the prairies. While the people are great from those towns like Glendive and Miles City, you are pretty isolated.

[strudel42]

Donate plasma, you'll do fine!

Really, though, $11/hr is a darn good starting wage in Missoula -- unfortunately it's still probably not a "comfortable" wage. You may want to look into a second job or a roommate situation unless you want to live very, very frugally.

[meridavi]

I don't weigh enough to donate plasma! Yeah, when she first offered me the job, I was all excited about 11/hr because everything on the jobs service site and CL seems to be 7-9 starting wage. But then I did some calculations. Boo.
But you know, I think I can do it. The cabin's just 400sq/ft with an efficient wood stove and backup electric. Has its own well. The driveway's short; I have to figure out if it'd be cheaper to have the neighbor plow it or if I should buy my own little snowblower.

I'll probably end up getting a second little job on Saturdays or something. i'll call it my beer job
flyingcat, i've heard great things about bayern! I can't wait to check it out.

[strudel42]

I almost asked you if you had a woodstove! That's an important consideration. Congratulations on your move -- sounds like you'll enjoy your time here.