[colinismyname]

Missoula, MT.

Recently started up a non-standard publishing company there, and the culture is stellar, it's a college town (full of culture and young people doing fun stuff), very low cost of living (rented a massive house with a bar/cafe in the basement for about $1400/month), and zero sales tax.

Quality of life is best I've found anywhere in the US (and I've been to all contiguous 48 states several times, looking for places to set up offices and live when I'm not overseas). It's incredibly walkable, has a nice downtown, very active, athletics residents, and folks care about their health (which is manifested in both their activities and the local produce/restaurant/food culture).

Happy to answer any other questions anyone might have about the area, and to introduce you around if you end up moving thereabouts :)

[ninetax]

Never thought I'd see some from Missoula on here.

I get up there once a year to visit my grandpa. It's an awesome, beautiful place. I would definitely live up there if there were more programming opportunities and more people I knew.

Best of luck to you!

[colinismyname]

It's such a remote place (literally and perception-wise) that I get that a lot :)

It is the kind of city that turns everyone into a walking advertisement — even the folks who eventually leave tend to come back to retire.

You might look into companies like Submittable (who are based out of the area) if you're looking for programming gigs. They're working hard (with what seems to be a very collaborative and willing government) to flesh out the area's tech infrastructure, so keep your eyes open for more opportunities thereabouts over the next year or two.

And happy to introduce you to some wonderful folks in the city if you're ever stopping through and want to make some friends!

[toomuchtodo]

Distance to major airport? How long to get shipments from someplace like Amazon?

[colinismyname]

Missoula technically has an international airport, but that's only because it flies up to Canada :)

Closest airport that I would consider 'major' is Seattle, which is a solid day's drive (about 7 hours). You can get anywhere from Missoula's airport, but you'll have to stop through Minnesota, Seattle, Denver, or some other major hub. Adds a little cost, which is a bummer, but still possible, and even for someone who travels all the time like I do, it's not a deal-breaker-level inconvenience.

Amazon-wise, it's just as fast as anywhere else I've ever lived. I have a Prime account, and often receive my packages the next day.

I'll also add that the internet is some of the fastest and cheapest I've found outside of areas that already have gigabit up and running.

[schof]

What about the weather? Seems like a wonderful place in Summer, but frighteningly cold in Winter. (Both my wife and I are from warm places.)

[colinismyname]

Missoula is actually relatively temperate compared to the surrounding area — it's encircled by mountains, which helps quite a bit.

I also kind of dig the clean, chilly weather they get during the winter, so I'm a bit biased on this question. I don't know that it gets as cold as someplace like, NYC or Chicago, though, which is something :)

[cglee]

You know anything about the tech/startup scene in Bozeman?

[colinismyname]

Less than I'd like, actually — the scene is connected with Missoula's, but it seems to be a somewhat loose connection (despite the two cities only being a three-hour drive through beautiful country from each other).

They do have a solid community, though, from everything I've heard so far. http://Startupbozeman.com has some info, and I went to the HATCH conference this year (http://hatchexperience.org/) which takes place in Bozeman, and met some wonderful representatives from the city. Good people, a nice downtown, and though not QUITE as walkable or cheap as Missoula, it's absolutely beautiful over there, and I always enjoy a visit.

[dave3773]

Not sure about the startup scene here, but the major tech employers I know about in Bozo are RightNow/Oracle, Zoot and Montana State University. Keep in mind, though, that one doesn't move to Montana for the salary. Also, real estate in the Gallatin valley is expensive compared to other places in MT. I moved back to MT (grew up in Butte) 2 years ago and while the salary isn't great, it beats the hell out of Los Angeles traffic.