Home Is Where The Heart Lives (Billings, Missoula: how much, schools, colleges)

[montana09]

Hi, I have seen this website numerous times and I have never thought to suscribe and post my own thread but here goes and please be patient with me.

I have wanted to live in Montana for the past 8 years even though I had never set foot in the state until last year. I took my family to Glacier National Park and as soon as I hit the state I felt like I was were I belonged.

I currently live in Washington State. I work full time and go to school. I am very tired of all of the people and the loss of "Nature" here. I want to relocate to Montana because that is where my heart belongs, but I am not sure of exactly where. I have been to Missoula, Kalispell and loved them both. I work for a manufacturing plant right now but am going to school for a degree in Wildlife Biology.

I would please like some help in figuring out the best place to get a job and still continue my education that is affordable. I am strongly aware that people in Montana want to keep their state in pristine conditions and are probaly getting very tired of the increase of the population but I can only say that I love the open spaces, elk and deer in your front yards, and cowboys of course. I too am very respectful for all of the things that you are. I would be proud to call Montana my home.

Any bit of help would be greatly appreciated.

[jimj]

It all depends on what you need to do for work and what you need in the way of school.
If it's advanced schooling then Missoula is the place, if a J.C. will work then either Kalispell or Missoula will work unless you want to be east of the divide. I'd say figure out where in the state you want to be first.

[montana09]

Thank you JimJ for your reply.

I have extensive experience in manufacturing and I do need a 4 year college. I prefer Northwestern Montana any ideas?

[montana09]

I also wold like to add that I am a bit older and like nature versus partying.

Thanks again

[bigtrees]

Originally Posted by montana09

Thank you JimJ for your reply.

I have extensive experience in manufacturing and I do need a 4 year college. I prefer Northwestern Montana any ideas?

Montana is generally a tourist state rather than a manufacturing state, and especially northwestern Montana. You'll find some manufacturing up there but it's pretty slim pickins.

It sounds like the college location will determine what cities you could decide between. The two state colleges are located in Bozeman and Missoula. Smaller four year colleges are located in Great Falls, Billings, Havre, Dillion, and Helena. No 4 year colleges are located in Northwestern Montana.

Since you like western Montana, you can easily mark off Billings and Havre and probably Great Falls. That leaves you with Missoula, Dillion, Helena, or Bozeman.

Recognize that the pay in Montana is very low compared to Washington and it's expensive to live here. I currently live in Seattle and and suprised at how much money is available compared to back home. You'll want to figure out what you'll do for a living that is also compatible with going back to school (i.e., we don't have many night positions at manufacturing companies). Most people who do night work are in restuarants or other service type industries.

[montana09]

Hey Bigtrees, thank you very much for your reply. May I first ask why you live in Seattle? Are you planning on going back to Montana anytime in the future? Why did you leave?

Yes, college location will determine where I live. I loved the Kailspell area but I do know there are no 4 year schools. I have actually been doing research for about 6 years on Montana and thought that I would talk to people who live or have lived there for a better prospective.

I do realize that the pay is very low but, I did not know that it was so expensive so thank you for this ever important tip.

I honestly don't care what kind of work that I end up doing, I have excelled and given 110% to any job that I have ever had and I am very proud of that.

I am also looking to the Spokane area as well, at least until I get done with school. You don't happen to know anything on that area do you?

I do thank you for your time.