Moving to Bozeman - MSU (Billings: schools, college, wages)

[candigirl]

Heraclid,

Thank you for your kind post.

I too have considered the University of Wyoming.

I like Montana better and the people seem kind.

I think that MSU is going to be a great fit for me too.

I lived in several large cities in the U.S. and I am ready for a hometown feel, with a sense of community, and a love of nature.

I cannot wait to have fresh organic food from one of the CSA's!

I also look forward to sharing my CSA with a food pantry or with an elderly couple so nothing is wasted!

By the way, what is a REI store?

I do have a questions about Montana's winters.
a. Are the winters brutal?
b. How drivable are the streets?
c. Is the snow more wet and icy or dry and powdery?

Any information you could provide would be great!

I look forward to hearing from you again!

[Ms_Christina]

REI is a membership based camping store. REI

How brutal the winters are is really going to depend on what you have experienced.

Most streets are cleared in town pretty fast, 4 wheel drive is recommended.

WET and ICY. As a kid I would count how many steps I could take in the snow before falling through the thin layer of ice over the snow.

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by candigirl

- snip -

c. Is the snow more wet and icy or dry and powdery?

Yes. You will experience both. The wet and icy is usually caused by brief periods of thaw and freeze. But the wet and icy sometimes starts from dry and powdery.

It has been recommended to have 4 wheel drive. That's not a bad idea. However, out of 100,000 people in Billings, less than half have 4 wheel drive and yet they still get around. Where the problem is, you can't always have a job that waits until the snow is bladed, or roads cleaned up. You also have to carefully choose your routes, but with 4 wheel drive you can go when you want and take the route that you want.

If there is a nasty blizzard, it's going to shut everybody down. Just make sure that you keep stocked up on food, and watch the news. If there is a pending storm, don't look at the refridgerator and say, "I still have a quart of milk and 4 eggs, I'll go to the store tomorrow." You may not get to the store, tomorrow. And if you do, by chance get there, the 2 store clerks that could get there, are trying to serve the 150 people that are like you, shopping in the middle of a snowstorm.

You seldom see highways shut down for more than a 24 hour period, nor a town that the streets don't get cleared. Once in a great while it will be a real nasty storm and shut things down for 2 days, but you don't see that very often.

Also, depending on where you live, such as living out in the country, you can't always rely on the roads being cleared. The city, County, and State, clear major routes for fire and ambulance first and foremost. Then they start clearning secondary routes to schools and such. Then they start on what's left. You will also find areas that nobody plows unless it's the people that live in that area.

[NYMTman]

Bozeman gets 90" of snow per year which is more than any other town of its size in the state. That's also comparable to Buffalo NY which is generally considered snowy. However - you'll notice that even in places like Buffalo and Bozeman many people get around fine with a 2WD vehicle. But if you want to explore the back country and what not, consider 4WD/AWD.

The snow falls very dry and powdery - the Rockies are famous for their powder of course. But in the lower elevations such as Bozeman, the temperatures do sometimes get above freezing which turns the snow to slush and ice.

I've only seen Bozeman crippled from a snowstorm once, in Nov 2009 I believe, when we received a surprise unforecasted 20 inches of snow. Even then, I had a midterm at MSU that day and it wasn't canceled - but the prof did say she was willing to reschedule for those who couldn't show up. Bozeman is different from the prairie in that while it does get more snow, it gets that snow in dribs and drabs for the most part. In the prairie and in Billings for example, the snow often comes in larger blizzards which do mess everything up.

[candigirl]

Ms_Christina, ElkHunter, and NYMTman,

WOW!!!

I drive a manual (stick) car with front wheel drive drive.

I will definitely invest in sandbags (to add weight to the car) and good snow tires!

Where I live now, the roads are never cleaned and driving is dangerous and lethal.

I have seen cars fall off the interstates and high streets.

For some reason, this state (city) does not believe guardrails are necessary...

When an advisory for snow comes, gas and food are the main items that people spend hours in line getting...and that is just for an advisory.

Are there any classes (like at the DMV or a driving school) that I can pay to learn how to drive in the winter?

Your suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Candigirl

[Timberwolf232]

Originally Posted by candigirl

Ms_Christina, ElkHunter, and NYMTman,


Where I live now, the roads are never cleaned and driving is dangerous and lethal.

I have seen cars fall off the interstates and high streets.

For some reason, this state (city) does not believe guardrails are necessary...

When an advisory for snow comes, gas and food are the main items that people spend hours in line getting...and that is just for an advisory.

Are there any classes (like at the DMV or a driving school) that I can pay to learn how to drive in the winter?

Your suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Candigirl

Where is this place with the falling cars?

Winter driving in Bozeman isn't so bad in my opinion, but I've been driving in the snow my whole life. Hope you find your way.

TW232

[candigirl]

TW232,

Thanks for your comment!

The place that I was describing was St. Louis, MO. a couple of years ago.

The county cleans up much better than the city; people seem to not understand "black ice" and no guardrails!

Wishing you an awesome winter!

Candigirl!

[Reziac]

One volunteer outfit that I recall, who knows it may be there yet, was a church that provided clothes and food to whomever needed it. Useful and fruitful work and very pleasant camaraderie.

[ttiiggy]

Originally Posted by candigirl

I. Community Service. Community Service is very important to me. I like to be an asset to my community. What are your suggestions in getting involved? What community service organizations are available in Bozeman?

You could join one of the local volunteer fire departments:
Sourdough Fire Department - Serving Bozeman and its surrounding communities wtih Fire and EMS protection for over 80 years - Bozeman Montana
RAE Fire Department : Volunteer Join Our Team
Volunteer - Fort Ellis Fire Rescue, Gallatin County, Montana, Fort Ellis Fire Department
Bridger Canyon Fire Department
Central Valley Fire District/Belgrade City Fire Department: Volunteer Recruitment

[aantrim]

I am a single mother of two and am considering moving to MT. I need to know the best affordable and safest places to live in MT. My needs are close to a university, good schools for my kids, safe place to live, and easy to find a job. I have never been out of arkansas so this is a scary move for me. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Thanks
aantrim