What's it like living in MT?

FamilyJ · 03-17-2008, 05:15 PM

Anybody in Montana that can tell me what it's really like living there regarding cost of living? I am considering an offer to go there, but not much money relative to what I earn in Texas.

So what's it like regarding gas, groceries, State Income taxes, vehicle registration/taxes, property taxes, real estste, electric, phone...

Thanks!

FamilyJ · 03-17-2008, 09:56 PM

Geez...bump please. Thank you!

**timbo2** · 03-17-2008, 10:10 PM

I don't live there (yet) but I've been to Kalispell about eight times and I love it there. One thing I can tell you is there is no sales tax. I understand that people who live in the Kali area go down to Missoula for breaks from the "gloomy" weather. I guess from what the locals tell me it's pretty dreary up around GNP in the winter, and that the Missoula area is known as the "Banana Belt" because they have alot more days of sun compared to Kalispell. The people I've met there (locals) have all been super nice compared to some of the a-holes around here in the "flatlands". It's kind of a joke for some locals to bet on how many winters a new member of the community will last, but from what I've seen on the net, the east side of the divide has alot worse winter conditions compared to the west side. Tim

VoodooRocky · 03-17-2008, 11:05 PM

My Sister bought land in the Bitteroot Valley about 15 years ago and I know back then the locals were complaining that so many Californians were moving in that they were pricing the natives out of their own housing market. Don't really know if things have changed much in that area since then. Tim

TonysBlueFJ · 03-18-2008, 07:30 AM

What part of MT are you looking at? My family, dad and brother, live in MT.

Housing right now is at an all time high in Billings. My brother is selling his home in Billings for a smaller one, the one he is selling is listed at $500,000. No state taxes, so you pay what you see, groceries and gas tend to be about the same as they are here in CO. I hope that helps a little.

We would love to move to MT. Good Luck.

Jackie

chichid65 · 03-18-2008, 07:34 AM

i don't know off-hand about the real estate in MT but I have driven through many times and think it is one of the nicest looking states we have! Good luck with your move.

FamilyJ · 03-18-2008, 07:52 AM

Thanks everyone! There area I am being recruited to is Missoula.

I noticed real estate is relatively expensive, with homes that are the type I'm used to going for $4-500K.

I'm really looking hard at the oppty, but the pay offer is considerably less than I am used to making, and I am trying to determine the offsetting improvement in Quality of Life that MT seems to offer.

However, if I can't afford to ski, kayak, hunt, offroad the FJ, etc... then Quality of life factor is kinda moot.

cruisin MT · 03-18-2008, 01:47 PM

I live in kalispell area, about 120 miles west of Missoula. I was born and raised here, and love it here...but, i am looking for a job anywhere in the country just to be able to have enough money to have a quality life. The cost of living here is pretty high as far a property and land go.. actually it is crazy high compared to the local average income. I cant make it here and i have one of the better jobs in my area. If you can swing it... Montana is great...if you cant...you will have lots of poor locals to sulk with. good luck, and come suport our crappy economy!

tonkat · 03-18-2008, 02:43 PM

ok, so this isn't gonna really help you, but I just wanted to throw my .02 in

I'm a native Texan, and yeah, the cost of living is generally lower there, but you have GOT to get out of TX... especially if you have an offer to see a beautiful state like Montana (from what I've heard). Don't get me wrong, I love TX and my family is there, but I'm a strong advocate for getting out and seeing other places, leaving your 'comfort' zone. I've always wanted to go to Montana because of its notorious beauty and the atmosphere there, but just haven't had the chance yet. Instead, we're moving to Alaska in May

Oh, a previous co-worker of mine told me about the annual 'Testicle Festival' too... can't remember where in MT it is... for some reason, when I told my husband about it, he didn't seem to enthusiastic!

If I were you, and you could afford it (any chance you could negotiate their offer, as in higher salary?), I say go for it...

Mud Draggin' · 03-18-2008, 04:08 PM

I don't live there, but my son has for several years or so, about 10 miles south of Missoula. We visit annually. I live about 20 miles south of Portland, OR.

Missoula is a fast growing city, but still considerably smaller than most metro areas. Not too long ago 10% of the population for the entire state of MT lived in Missoula, and there were only 800,000 in the entire state. So it still has a lot of the 'small town' characteristics, but also has the usual growing pains. It used to take about 10 minutes to drive across town on city streets, it is now more than double that, and a lot worse going north/south during rush hour. (Rush hour what a joke, they've never seen a real rush hour up there) but traffic has increased considerably in the last 10 years or so.

The economy up there right now is just like everywhere else, going down fast, however the real estate prices are pretty high compared to the income levels. Go figure. Just like here.

It is a nice place, and I would move there in a NY minute, but my "better half" was raised right here and is well employed right here, so there goes that idea.

If you like to hunt/fish/camp/trailride it is the "bomb'.

The weather in Missoula is relatively mild compared to most of the rest of the state, it snows some in the winter, but really never sticks around that long. It was 0 degrees last month, but only for a short time. The summers are much warmer than you would think it would be. (90's in July quite often) That's mostly because Missoula sits in a valley surrounded by mountains. The Bitter Root Nat'l forest is all around you. 5 minutes from town and you can disappear from civilization.

In my opinion Montana would be a terrific place to raise a family, at least for the near future. LOTS of wide open space, with city-life at your disposal if you wish. And if you change your mind, Interstate 95 runs right through the north side of town.

On a scale of A to Z, I would rate overall livability there an A-, while Alaska I'd rate an A+........ Chicago, NY, L.A., Atlanta, Houston, S.F., Philly etc would be a big Z. and that's just my opinion based on having been there and lived in a few.

One funny thing I noticed after several trips to MT is..........they don't wash their cars/trucks very often there, actually hardly ever. So a dirty FJ should fit right in, even though 80% of the population drive Dodge diesel crews (purchased at Dave Smith Auto Sales of course).

Good luck on your decision.

Jerry