For those that remember me, I'm moving west

[Maverick]

For those that remember me (the Dakota County Patroller that rode the trails heavily 2 seasons ago), I accepted a position in eastern Montana (about 60 miles west of the north starting point of the Maay Daah Hey trail). I'll be working in a county that's about 2100 square miles (Dakota is 670 in comparison) with 10,000 people (plus the temporary oil boom people).

The reason for the move? I love it out there. No traffic, open space, great hunting, lower cost of living, less people, job availibility, etc... Sure there will be things I'll miss around here, like the people and trails, but I'm excited about the move. I'm moving right after Thanksgiving.

I'd like to thank everyone for their kindness and for their hard work with MORC. Even the people that just pays the dues helps out. Thank You!

On a side note, looks like I'll finally get to ride some of the Maay Daah Hey with my 3 day weekends.

[socrates]

For those that remember me (the Dakota County Patroller that rode the trails heavily 2 seasons ago), I accepted a position in eastern Montana (about 60 miles west of the north starting point of the Maay Daah Hey trail). I'll be working in a county that's about 2100 square miles (Dakota is 670 in comparison) with 10,000 people (plus the temporary oil boom people).

The reason for the move? I love it out there. No traffic, open space, great hunting, lower cost of living, less people, job availibility, etc... Sure there will be things I'll miss around here, like the people and trails, but I'm excited about the move. I'm moving right after Thanksgiving.

I'd like to thank everyone for their kindness and for their hard work with MORC. Even the people that just pays the dues helps out. Thank You!

On a side note, looks like I'll finally get to ride some of the Maay Daah Hey with my 3 day weekends.

Mike,

Congrats on the move (I'm sure you'll miss LH though)....hopefully Dakota isn't forcing you to take that 150# bike with you, it was always amazing how well you road the trail on that thing :)

Dave

[ryno lite]

Good luck, you'll sure get plenty of peace and quiet. I kind of like it out there myself. Getting to be less and less places that are empty like that.

[Maverick]

I'm out here and loving it!

The job is great, the area is beautiful, and the people are great (well, most of them at least). I'm still waiting for spring to come around but overall it's been extremely mild here for the weather compared to MN.

However, the main downfall of living here is now is the bad housing market (I'd like to buy in about 6 months or so). With the oil boom rent rates are high (still a lot cheaper then MN) and the few houses that are for sale are a lot more then normal (still WAY cheaper then MN, but still high for the area). For a very small 1 or 2 bedroom house that needs numerous repairs you can still find for about $30,000 (normally about 20,000-25,000). For a decent older house your looking about 65,000-80,000 (normally 50,000-70,000).

One thing I don't think I could get used to again if I ever did move back is the stop lights and speed limits. You guys have stop lights every block or two and those 55mph speed limits. Here there is about 10 stop lights for the entire county and we have 70mph speed limits (75 on the interstate). I went back to MN a month or so ago and driving at 55 seemed to be painfully slow.

The nearest Walmart/Kmart is 45 miles away, nearest menards is about 175 miles away. There is no sales tax here, and ND doesn't tax MT residents. That doesn't sound like much but it adds up.

Overall I'm extremely happy out here. Probably the best move I could've made.

[Wolfchimp]

What are you doing for a job out there again? Sounds like my kind of place. I was out in MT snowboarding for a week this winter. I wish I was still there.

[Maverick]

I'm a Deputy. It's extremely difficult to get a cop job in MN in law enforcement (especiallyin the metro) unless you have a 4 yr degree and experience. I've always like it here in MT so I applied to a few places. Got hired here and I haven't regretted it at all.

[Wolfchimp]

Congrats on that! Glad things are going so well. I wish you luck in your house hunt! Someday I'll make it further West.