I'm seriously considering getting the hell out of Houston and moving north. I've had enough of the big city to last a life time. My best bet would be to Billings, as my company has operations in that city. It wouldn't happen for a few years probably, but I'm starting to gather info now.

So what can you realistically tell me about the weather? Life in a semi remote location? Economy? Housing? Any and all info, positives and negatives, would be appreciated.

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I'm seriously considering getting the hell out of Houston and moving north. I've had enough of the big city to last a life time. My best bet would be to Billings, as my company has operations in that city. It wouldn't happen for a few years probably, but I'm starting to gather info now.

So what can you realistically tell me about the weather? Life in a semi remote location? Economy? Housing? Any and all info, positives and negatives, would be appreciated.

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Be prepared for negative temps, snow, and horrible drivers. Housing market in billings isn't as bad as the housing market on the eastern edge, and it is significantly lower than the rich hippie western side of the state. The economy is remarkably stable. Billings isn't all that remote. It's a decent sized city with all the amenities you would need. Amazing hunting and fishing, bma and blm land. If you are a hippie liberal or a beach bum, you won't enjoy life here. There is one a&m club in MT, in Bozeman. Education system here kind of sucks. Most people this way don't like Texans, but there are a lot of us up here. Summers are nice. Flights in this area are more expensive. A lot of national parks nearby. Need any specifics let me know. Histag2010@gmail.com

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I'm seriously considering getting the hell out of Houston and moving north. I've had enough of the big city to last a life time. My best bet would be to Billings, as my company has operations in that city. It wouldn't happen for a few years probably, but I'm starting to gather info now.

So what can you realistically tell me about the weather? Life in a semi remote location? Economy? Housing? Any and all info, positives and negatives, would be appreciated.

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Be prepared for negative temps, snow, and horrible drivers. Housing market in billings isn't as bad as the housing market on the eastern edge, and it is significantly lower than the rich hippie western side of the state. The economy is remarkably stable. Billings isn't all that remote. It's a decent sized city with all the amenities you would need. Amazing hunting and fishing, bma and blm land. If you are a hippie liberal or a beach bum, you won't enjoy life here. There is one a&m club in MT, in Bozeman. Education system here kind of sucks. Most people this way don't like Texans, but there are a lot of us up here. Summers are nice. Flights in this area are more expensive. A lot of national parks nearby. Need any specifics let me know. Histag2010@gmail.com

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Sold!

That's the main part. Oh and we do have state income tax, but no sales tax. If you go shop in ND, and your purchase is over 50, they won't charge you sales tax either if you show MT id

I'm waiting on word on a new job with a new company. If that falls through, I'm going to seriously consider requesting a transfer within my current company. I may have to 'vacation' up there in January or February to check it out. We've lived in cold before, but not that cold for that long. As long as the wind isn't as bad as Wyoming, I feel like we could get acclimated to it.

In billings you have a bit of a wind break because the mountains aren't too far. This winter isn't supposed to be as cold as last, but more snow

You do acclimate pretty quickly, as long as you don't move up in the winter. That was my mistake

I'd take Montana winter over the 7-8 month summer of Houston. I was in Houston in August, and it was unbearable.

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I'd take Montana winter over the 7-8 month summer of Houston. I was in Houston in August, and it was unbearable.

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At this point, I'd take Antarctica over Houston summers. I hate the humidity. I cuss at God every morning when I step outside. Then cuss some more when I go sit in traffic.

We spent several weeks below -15 last winter. But I'd still take that over the week I have in Houston next week

What goes on in Billings Montana? Industry wise, that is. O&G? Just curious what the driving economic force is up there.

yes, O&G has become big up here, but you have to remember that Billings is basically the halfway point between Minneapolis/St.Paul and Seattle. BNSF runs that route, and Billings is a nice midway point. Also, this area is heavy with farm and ranch, so that plays a lot into the economic industry in the area.

Got a tiny bit more real tonight. Hope to hear something by Jan 1. My company moves slooooooooow.

if at all possible, don't move until at least April. Moving during the winter up here sucks horribly, and you are less likely to have snow packed roads in April (you will still have snow storms occasionally though).


just my 2 cents. (we moved in February. Never again!)

If I moved, it wouldn't be for awhile. It will be a couple of months before I even get an answer.

What oil field is billings supporting? My company has offices in Sydney, glendive and baker (and ND); the Bakkan.

Several corporate offices for the rocky Mountain west district are in Billings. I know this because I live in Glendive and my husband is in o&g

Edit: there are also still active wells around Custer (not far from Billings). Also, it's spelled Sidney. People there are very particular about this.

Refining.

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Also, it's spelled Sidney. People there are very particular about this.

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Auto-correct, which I am not very particular about.

Any news on the transfer El chupacabra?

If the project gets funded, I'm in. Won't know about funding until late February. All signs point to it being a go though.

Well good luck!

I'm not moving to Montana, but close enough. Rock Springs, Wyoming! We move first part of January but at least my company paying for the moving company to do everything, so that should make the winter move a bit easier.......I hope.

As long as your vehicle has at least front wheel drive, you should be fine, though you will be in a much more mountainous area (sw Wyoming). Wish it was that pretty up here. Good luck with the move

Thanks! I switched out my wife's 2wd armada for an AWD Yukon XL and my truck is 4 wheel drive. It will be a huge change for us so I hope we adjust quick.

Can't really help ya as far as the weather goes there. It is significantly different in sw Wyoming than it is is eastern Montana. If I'm thinking right, it won't get as cold there as it is here, so there's that.

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As long as your vehicle has at least front wheel drive, you should be fine, though you will be in a much more mountainous area (sw Wyoming). Wish it was that pretty up here. Good luck with the move

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I have arguments all the time with my students over whether or not Rock Springs is bigger than Laramie. They don't believe me. I point out they have a ton of shops and amenities that we have to go to Cheyenne or Ft. Collins to get.

Beautiful area to be in, though. I was in Green River for a conference last April and brought Mr. Fly with me to celebrate his birthday with a hike in Flaming Gorge. I'll be back out that way this coming May for the same conference.

Well we moved up here on the 1st and there was snow on the ground, but since then it's been pretty warm for up here. The ground has been dry and made moving in pretty easy. It has snowed a few times at night but melted by mid-morning. I am hoping this isn't the quiet before the storm! Now i did hit bad weather when I had to go get my company truck and drive up on Jan 4. I-80 was pretty bad from Cheyenne to Rawlins.

Txdragonfly- that's funny. It didn't seem like Laramie was nearly as big when I drove through. I am liking the slower paced lifestyle up here. It has also been fun just driving around the flaming gorge, taking side roads and exploring. We have gone hiking and climbing and saw the dam in utah this past weekend. I am looking forward to summertime and hitting up Yellowston, Teton, and many other sites.

Well looks like Billings it is...after a 9 month or so layover in Kansas City. Hopefuly get the final word this week.

El Chupacabra- Congrats on the move!

05AG- This has been a VERY mild winter so far. It's even raining here right now, with the high today near 50.

We hit 60 yesterday. Per the NWS in Cheyenne, there were broken records across WY and NE with the possibility for repeats today. It's definitely an odd, unusually mild winter.

I80 between Rawlins & Laramie and Laramie & Cheyenne are the two major problem areas that shut down in bad weather. The wind'll get ya every time, but the black ice and snow can be bad. I was taking my parents back to DIA this past August when they were re-paving I80 between Laramie & Cheyenne. It was 4AM and the roads were slightly wet from rain. Between the new pavement and the traffic cones, it was actually difficult to see the road.

We usually drop down 59 to I25 in Douglass. Anytime there is any wind at all, we usually end up taking 25/90 all the way to Billings. 59 gets bad with wind, especially since it is not 4 lane at all.

First trip to billings next week, pretty excited. Relocation to KC in 2 weeks.

perfect timing. Looks like nice weather up here for a while. Supposed to be in the 60s next week. Early this week was supposed to be our last hard freeze for quite a while (at least I'm hoping)

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First trip to billings next week, pretty excited. Relocation to KC in 2 weeks.

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Welcome to Missouri!

If you have kids, the Zoo is cool and so is the Royals Stadium.