Moving to Montana from Maryland

[javatom]

In Maryland you can to a certain extent, judge a book by its cover. If it looks, walks and talks like a redneck, it is one. Same look in Montana may very well have a PHD, be a general in the military and build high end furniture as a hobby.

[rangerider]

Originally Posted by MTSilvertip

Why give up your jetski? Yellowtail Reservoir isn't far from Billings, and Deadmans Basin, Yellow Water, Petrolia Lake and countless others are within easy commute and lots of folks jetski/waterski/boat here.

Don't forget Canyon Ferry, too. Gobs of jetskis out there in the summer.

The Rocky Mountain oysters gag is one that is played on lots of folks, don't feel alone in that. Some folks consider it a delicacy, I am not one of them however.

I find the use of the word "gag" here both funny and Freudian considering your distaste of RM oysters. Were the subject lutefisk, it would be even more appropo.

[Vegabern]

Originally Posted by MTSilvertip

We aren't a desert here, and the opportunity for all kinds of water sports is available and utilized by lots of people all summer long and into the spring and fall before freeze up. The Yellowstone River runs right through Billings and Riverfront park is a great place to recreate.

You may find you really like whitewater rafting or kiyaking, floating a canoe on a lake or river, floating the rivers in tubes or rafts, there are some areas that have great snorkling and scuba opportunities because our water is so clear.

Actually, Montana, by definition is a desert. I believe the annual precipitation here is 11-13 inches. That is one of the biggest negatives for me. Too dry. Humidity can be a pain but it also means you have moisture. Here, we have to irrigate to have green grass even 5 months a year. We actually got hit with a $300.00 water bill last July and we have less than 1/2 acre. It's brown the majority of the year.

If you want to be in a place to enjoy your boat, I recommend Helena, Kalispell, or Billings. We live north of Helena and enjoy access to three nearby lakes (and also the Missouri river) with our power boat. Of course it's not a place you would find work with the railroad. As a previous poster mentioned, that limits you to the hi-line or Billings I guess (I don't know much about Billings).

You mentioned your significant other is in law enforcement? I recommend looking into Shelby. It has the railroad in town and also a major (for Montana standards) border crossing nearby. The majority of border agents live in town.

Oh, and you mentioned job prospects in Billings and Essex. I expect you've done some research but those two towns might as well be on different planets. Although Essex may be pretty and is on the doorstep of Glacier National park, it's not a place I'd ever live. Do a little research on the surrounding area.

[Vegabern]

About your weather question; As you know, Montana is a large state. The weather can vary dramatically even in winter. Thompson Falls is in the "banana belt" and stays pretty mild during the winter where Butte or Wisdom might as well be in the arctic circle. You would have to narrow down your search for an accurate assesment of the weather. If you want to experience the extremes, a visit in January/February and July/August should give you an idea.