Yellowstone County versus Stillwater County??? (Billings, Missoula: real estate, rentals, homes)

[montanafan2]

Can anyone please tell a newcomer to this area some of the differences (or pros & cons) of residing in Yellowstone County versus Stillwater County. Any & all info. would be helpful! Thanks.

[historyfan]

School district based property taxes are worth finding out about. Each county has multiple school districts. There can be a big difference between tax bills.

[oldtrader]

One big consideration is where you will be employed. Example if you work in Billings and live in one of the towns in Stillwater county you can have a 50 or mile more commute each way every day and this gets expensive at the price of gasoline, and can get rough a few days each winter. Commute costs, are much higher than school taxes differential. Billings is the only metro area of any size in those two counties, and jobs are much more plentiful there.

Find the job, then determine where to live. If you are retired as we are, then Stillwater county is a nice place to live.

[montanafan2]

We run a small business out of our home so commuting is not an issue. We are 2 empty nesters in our mid-50's. So far we are leaning toward Columbus to settle in. What is life like in Columbus; it sounds like a nice peaceful town?!?

[FL2MT]

It sounds like you're picking locations without having been there yet?

Come out and RENT a place in Billings for 6 months. That'll give you plenty of time to check out both areas and the small towns like Columbus to see what fits you best. There'll be plenty of rentals and all services you could possibly need in Billings so that should make the initial move easy. Use the weekends to explore and find out what you like with your own eyes.

[MTSilvertip]

Originally Posted by montanafan2

We run a small business out of our home so commuting is not an issue. We are 2 empty nesters in our mid-50's. So far we are leaning toward Columbus to settle in. What is life like in Columbus; it sounds like a nice peaceful town?!?

It is a nice peaceful town.

Good location, close enough to Billings for shopping or medical care, far enough away that you avoid the issues associated with larger population centers.

Good hunting and fishing area, weather is fairly moderate by Montana standards. Small town atmosphere of friendly people, quiet streets, places to walk where you can wave at your neighbors.

If you want quiet and being away from the hustle and bustle and traffic, Columbus is great

[montanafan2]

Originally Posted by FL2MT

It sounds like you're picking locations without having been there yet?

Come out and RENT a place in Billings for 6 months. That'll give you plenty of time to check out both areas and the small towns like Columbus to see what fits you best. There'll be plenty of rentals and all services you could possibly need in Billings so that should make the initial move easy. Use the weekends to explore and find out what you like with your own eyes.

We have been to Columbus & the Billings area before....albeit some years ago. I have also traveled Montana extensively and have visited/stayed in Butte, Bozeman, Helena, Missoula, Great Falls. Also worked in Glacier National Park for 2 summers in the early '90's. I'm a former mountaineer/backpacker who climbed Granite Pk. and this is what brought me to the Billings area. For various reasons I would not prefer to retire to various areas of Montana. One big factor is my wife has health issues & Billings affords excellent health care. The Flathead Lake & Valley is way too commercialized and Californicated for us. Helena area is a nice second choice but it seems prone to wildfires occasionally. Missoula area seems OK but it just didn't grab me. Bozeman area real estate is way too pricey. All that said, your advice about renting a place in Billings for 6 months does seem to be good advice and will be something to think about. Thanks for your responses.

[oldtrader]

Columbus is an excellent choice. Small friendly town, sitting by an Interstate to get to Billings for major shopping trips. New Hospital/medical clinic as part of Billings Medical Facilities. That system is rated as one of the top 10 best in the entire nation, and is the only hospital medical system in the area affiliated with May Clinic. Rated as one of the safest hospital systems in the nation. They keep 2 helicopters and 3 turbo prop airplanes, to serve people when needed or to move people to where needed. This is not usual, as very few medical systems own their own aircraft and flight crews. My daughter needed airlifted to Billings. The helicopter came in and the flight nurse took charge. She had good nurses, but this flight nurse is superior to all of them even admitted by the other nurses. She made sure tests were done, and my daughter was properly prepared for the flight. She got her to Billings, and did not leave her side till she was being taken care of to suit her. The major hospital system to serve Montana, Northern Wyoming, North and South Dakota, and southern area of Canada.

Stores for every day needs, such as groceries, pharmacy, auto dealers and tire services, an Ace Hardware, building supply, etc. Major shopping you have to go to Laurel 30 miles, or Billings 40+ miles.

Home prices are reasonable, from older well kept homes to new in different price ranges.

Less snow and rain than Billings, as sits further into the rain/snow shadow of the Rockies. Rain and snow before town, stops, and then lets loose getting out to Billings and beyond.

Close to nature, with two major rivers right to the town if you like boating or fishing.

Billings is the big town/small city type place if that is what you are looking for.

[historyfan]

Isn't Columbus a Superfund site from Mouat?
I've been to their Stillwater county fair a couple of times. The people seem very friendly. And the pie at the local cafe is good. I rank towns by whether you can find a good piece of pie and/or a good milk shake there.
Of course, the New Atlas is famous.

[FL2MT]

Originally Posted by historyfan

Isn't Columbus a Superfund site from Mouat?

Looks like it
Mouat Industries | Region 8 | US EPA