Possibly moving to Bozeman, Montana. What's the downside? What's the upside?

Mojave

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Jun 13, 2019
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Enjoy the heck out of it.

If you can afford to make it work it is a destination location, you won't travel far from there to enjoy the outdoors. You won't get tired of Yellowstone and the Absaroka.
 

buffybr

Lil-Rokslider
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Feb 3, 2024
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Location
Bozangles, MT
I've got the handle bar mustache but not the man bun. When I moved here 46 years ago Bozeman was a nice little western town. Now it's Bozangles. I worked in the same office downtown for 30 years, now I avoid downtown as much as I can.

Luckily, I bought my house 6 miles out of town...and in the opposite direction of all of the expansion. There is no way that I could afford to buy my house now, and even the taxes on it are outrageous.

On the red political map of Montana, I'm ashamed to live in one of the few blue counties.

The upside is that my house is paid for and I'm retired.
 

bradmacmt

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Nov 14, 2014
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Mont.
A typical Bozeman thread lol - some with no experience living here, chiming in, parroting what they heard from someone else with no experience living here. And, of course, those with actual experience living here.

Nothing stays the same. My father first came to Bozeman in 1949 - by the time I got here in August 1992 it had changed quite a bit since when he came (shock and surprise). I'm guessing it may even have been different in 1949 than 1909 when it was a really cool place to be, before it was completely spoiled after WWII. But then I suppose it was a real dump in 1909 compared to when Lewis and Clark were in the area.

I haven't been everywhere, but I have travelled a lot. I still find Bozeman to be one of the best small cities in America. Has it changed since I first came here almost 33 years ago? Absolutely. The population has doubled for one. Some of the change is for the better, some not. Just like anywhere. I raised my kids here, K-12 and both are MSU grads too. Relative to the rest of the country, it is a great place to raise kids. Still. It has become expensive no doubt. It finally got "discovered." But it's no Jackson, WY and that's a fact. Jackson isn't a "real" town - Bozeman is. We have an actual economy that extends beyond tourism, and Montana State University is a huge part of that.

The OP is mving from San Diego - why bring up Californian's and the cost of living and housing? San Diego is one of the most expensive places in America, and is surprisingly full of Californians. Bozeman will be an affordable dream come true mvoing from there.

As to Claifornians, I find if they can make it through five winters, like anyone else, they probably belong here. Our "winter kill" is pretty stout. I also find Californians make this area a lot more interesting than typical rural Montana. Frankly, I couldn't live full time in Montucky proper. I like the ammenities here. And Bozeman is only a half hours drive from Montana.

Sorry, but I find the "Bozeangeles" thing too simplistic and a bit thoughtless.

Couple thoughts on a snowy Sunday morning...
 
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OP
MJB

MJB

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I'm a starch Republican sad that it went blue.....as long as the homeless aren't there I'll consider it a win!

Housing is about the same cost as San Diego, restaurants prices look the same as here, sounds like the beer is cheaper though!
 

Mojave

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Jackson isn't a "real" town - Bozeman is. We have an actual economy that extends beyond tourism, and Montana State University is a huge part of that.
This man actually understands how this works. Yes Bozeman is a real mountain town in the west.

Jackson, Aspen and a very few number of others are not places people live and grow up unless they have unilimited money.

Jackson and Aspen are so different from Bozeman, Missoula, Kalispel, Park City, Sheridan and others it isn't even funny.
 

Legend

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I'm a starch Republican sad that it went blue.....as long as the homeless aren't there I'll consider it a win!

Housing is about the same cost as San Diego, restaurants prices look the same as here, sounds like the beer is cheaper though!
Homeless population is a growing concern in Bozeman. The city is allowing people to live on the streets in all kinds of junk vehicles.
 
OP
MJB

MJB

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I was born in California and I want my state back from all of the lib crap that came here from the East Coast.
But sadly that ship has sailed long ago
 

JFK

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Plenty of people move to California from other states and bring problems. Good chunk of our homeless are out of staters because we have survivable winters. I had two neighbors from Idaho who were quite fond of getting hammered drunk and getting into domestic disputes. Had to finally call the cops on them and dude went to jail. This was after his girlfriend came to my doorstep afraid for her life at 1:30am and I had to put an ar in the guys face to get him off my porch. They were both far more liberal than the average Californian. Had all the signs in their front yard. Would have been totally fine if they never moved here.
 

Mt Al

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Dec 16, 2017
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Montana
Been in Bozeman for a very long time, moved here from elsewhere in Montana, great place if you can afford a home. I've seen it change from Moo U, a cow town, to a trust fund hipster-fest and still very thankful to live here. Great amenities, travel is easy. Plenty of excellent outdoor stuff to do without crowds, just have to drive a bit, put in the time, and know where to go.

The whole "terrible winters" thing is laughable IMHO. We have it easy compared to most along the Canadian border. Bad winters happen in the upper mid west. Our snow is 90% fluff puff vs. heavy wet stuff. Overused but true phrase: It's a dry cold. Plus it's mostly sunny. Nothing like humid, bone-chilling cold in the mid west. Tens of thousands of people have moved to Montana and not left because of the winters: because they're not that bad.

I don't blame anyone for not liking Bozeman, it's not for everyone. If fishing/hunting/sledding is your thing there are way better towns to live in in Montana.

I don't work in real estate or anything to do with new comers, building, etc., just glad to be here.
 

Yoder

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Californians and New Yorkers are the same. They want to escape the state they ruined, only to ruin the next state they escape to. They can't help themselves....it's bred into them. Montana and Tennessee are the target states they want to ruin next.
I wonder if we can get ICE to deport all of them back to CA and NY.
 
Joined
Sep 28, 2018
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Palmer Alaska
The downside;

Your appearance.

You need to grow a mustache. You must wear some type of fishing brand flat brim. Carhart or Filson plaid button up shirts. Extremely tight jeans and some type of zero drop leather shoes.

Your transportation, plan on a 4Runner or a Subaru wagon. The hard platic fly fishing rod holder must be installed on the roof rack.

Your gear. Full suite of Firstlite clothing to be worn while hunting and fishing but also around town. 6.5 CM with some flavor of Leupold or Vortex optic on top. Better have a Tipi with a stove also.

This should get you to at least fit in and get your feet wet.

Housing. Expect to pay NYC real estate prices for rent or to purchase a home.

The upside.........











Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk
😂😂😂 sounds about right !
 
Joined
Feb 23, 2021
Messages
463
Location
Montana
The downside;

Your appearance.

You need to grow a mustache. You must wear some type of fishing brand flat brim. Carhart or Filson plaid button up shirts. Extremely tight jeans and some type of zero drop leather shoes.

Your transportation, plan on a 4Runner or a Subaru wagon. The hard platic fly fishing rod holder must be installed on the roof rack.

Your gear. Full suite of Firstlite clothing to be worn while hunting and fishing but also around town. 6.5 CM with some flavor of Leupold or Vortex optic on top. Better have a Tipi with a stove also.

This should get you to at least fit in and get your feet wet.

Housing. Expect to pay NYC real estate prices for rent or to purchase a home.

The upside.........











Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk
Don’t forget you have to have your skis on the roof rack till there isn’t any snow in existence. And your mountain bike must be more valuable than your truck or car. And by truck I mean Tacoma and car I mean Subaru.
 
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