Feb

11

Moving To Montana

February 11, 2008 | 4 Comments

Time once again for another round of “Moving To Montana!” Today’s entry comes from Mark, a legal secretary living in Chicago:

I am seriously considering moving to Montana. Either Butte, Kalispell, Livingston or Bozeman. I love the mountains. I was raised in Pittsburg but left when I was 18, over 30 years ago and have lived most of that time in Chicago. I want a simpler life, less hectic than the fast paced city. I am looking for a friendlier, simpler, slower life. I have been back to MT many times and will never be able to get it out of my system, but at the same time am a bit trepidatious about a move like this. I have over 30 years experience as a legal secretary in many different types of law. I know I won’t be earning the amount of money I earn now but I do need to make a “livable” salary. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions you might have. I would like to do this move this spring or summer at the latest. Thank you for your input, it is much appreciated.

I’m no expert on the four places that Mark listed, but I don’t think he could go wrong with Kalispell or Bozeman (although of course I am partial to Great Falls)! If any of my fellow Montanans have some location-specific advice for Mark, please drop a comment here – thanks!


Comments

4 Comments so far

  1. phil on February 12, 2008 1:51 am

    I know what you mean,montana gets in your thoughts. After 25 years of the us navy, I also was looking for a new home here,you can’t do better than Great Falls,I love it here. I have been all over the planet the people here are the best. You will have no trouble finding the employment you want.

  2. Traveling Mel on February 12, 2008 2:45 pm

    Livingston is a great place to live, unless you don’t like wind… Summers are amazing and it’s close to lots of great XC skiing, hiking, hunting, canoing and fishing.

    Plus, it’s only 25 minutes to Bozeman, where you will probably have to work.

  3. Comment on February 13, 2008 11:25 am

    Hey Mark in Chicago, I have a suggestion for you. When you arrive here, I would suggest not telling everyone you see “I want a simpler life, less hectic.” We hear that all the time and it gets pretty annoying. If you want to come here and help our economy, that is great, but you need to expect significant less salary, high costs of living, and cold cold winters. Yes, colder than Chicago. One more thing, the big city transplants typically come to Montana and within a year start complaining about their pay, cost of living, boring pace of life, etc. We don’t want to hear that you make three times less than you made back home and pay three times as much for mortgage or rent.

  4. Krist on June 4, 2008 6:27 pm

    I say….welcome to Montana! Kalispell is beautiful! If your curious about the housing market send me an email of what you arelooking for and I will email you the homes that meet your criteria in Kalispell, Whitefish and C. Falls area. kristi@chuckolsonrealestate.com

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