Anyone here in Montana?

[jpeaslee]

This may be in the wrong place, but...

Anyone on here from Montana? I'm looking down the road in the next year or two, and really considering a move out west. Montana seems like a nice option, specifically Bozeman or maybe Missoula. My understanding is that MT is not a licensed state. My biggest question is what is the job market like in the optical/tech field? Are there jobs? How do they pay? I see that wages in MT seem to be low in general, but I didn't know if that had a significant affect on our industry. I'm a Georgia Licensed Optician, and I'm currently managing our office while learning to tech and get my COA as well (currently have my ABO, NCLE, and GA LDO).

[Johns]

I've got property an hour outside of Missoula (Darby), and often ask people where they get their glasses. Since the population of the towns surrounding me are so small, none would support an optical that I could tell. Most of the folks go to the larger towns you mentioned. In my area, there are many dude ranches, outfitters, and resorts, and many of the folks close up and head to Arizona for the winter, and end up taking care of many of their optical, medical and other needs there.

[David_Garza]

Plus have you actually experienced a Montana winter?????

[EyeCare Rich]

Plus have you actually experienced a Montana winter?????

Lots of snow in Missoula, but not really that cold, usually. Bozeman on the otherhand for a Georgia resident, might be kinda frigid! You can probably find work in either town, but wages are low, very low. Might as well work in McDonalds, unless a lot has changed in the last few years. Spent a spell in Kallispell, north of Missoula, and wages were terrible, at least in the big box stores.

Good luck to you jpeaslee.

[Johns]

Plus have you actually experienced a Montana winter?????

We were up there for Thanksgiving the year before last, and had 14 inches of snow overnight. Not as cold as Ohio, but the wind chill on the mountain can get downright nasty!