What Living in Montana Is Really Like (And Best Places to Live In)

Thinking of moving to Montana but not sure what to expect? It’s understandable. Even people who’ve had a lifelong love affair with the Big Sky state can have a hard time putting their passion into words. 

It’s like John Steinbeck says in Travels With Charley: In Search Of America, “I’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it is love. And it’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it.”

To help you know what to expect, here are a few things you might like to know about living in Montana. 

#1 Low Property Taxes

Naturally beautiful places are usually prohibitively expensive. You’d have to mortgage an internal organ to afford to live in California or Colorado at this point. When you’re living in Montana, you can have natural beauty and affordability.

Montana has some of the lowest property taxes in the country. It averages a .85% interest rate, compared to the national average of 1.19%.  

Montana is ranked #20 in the States with the best interest rates, according to WalletHub. It’s a very compelling reason to consider buying a home or property here. 

#2 It Really IS Big Sky Country

Montana’s a popular destination for people looking to stretch out a little bit. It’s well-known for having some of the lowest population densities in the United States. Montana is #44 in the list of most populous states. There’s an average of 6.86 people per square mile. 

If you’ve been looking for some peace and quiet, or more room to do your own thing, Montana is an ideal destination. Of course, it’s not all vacant. There are a number of respectably-sized cities in Montana. 

There are the college towns of Billings and Missoula. Then there are the larger cultural hubs of Bozeman and, of course, Kalispell. 

#3 There’s Plenty Of Culture In Montana

The epic, rugged, natural beauty of Montana is one of the leading pulls towards The Big Sky Country. There’s much more to The Treasure State than simply streams and wildflowers, however. 

If you’re a lover of culture, there’s plenty to explore and fall in love with throughout Montana. There are museums galore, for one thing. There’s the Children’s Museum of Montana in Great Falls, for instance. Or the Missoula Art Museum in Missoula, MT. 

There are tons of great restaurants to savor if you’re a foodie moving to Montana. Kalispell’s downtown is overflowing with delicious, decadent eateries. For the beer lovers, there are craft breweries galore, as well. 

Montana is rife with fascinating history, as well. The history of Native Americans goes back over 12,000 years, for starters. There are many places where this ancient history and culture is still very much alive and able to be experienced firsthand. 

There’s also a rich history from the Gold Rush. If you’d like to glimpse what life was like for panners and gold diggers, there are numerous museums and cultural centers throughout the state to experience this fascinating chapter of Montana history for yourself. 

#4 Montana Has Epically Beautiful Nature

Of course, you can’t properly know what living in Montana’s like without mentioning the nature. Montana is known as Big Sky Country for a reason. Its reputation for possessing some of the most inspiring wilderness in the world is well-deserved, as well. 

There are nearly 3.5 million acres of wilderness within Montana’s state wilderness. There are 15 dedicated wilderness areas. There are also 16.9 million acres maintained by the U.S. Forest Service, accounting for 18% of the total state landmass. 

There are also over 425 easy-to-moderate hiking trails in Montana. Some take you past natural hot springs. Others are good for backpacking and mountain biking. 

If you’re a nature lover, Montana is heaven on Earth. 

#5 There’s Great Fishing, Too 

Montana also has a reputation as a Mecca for freshwater anglers. That reputation is well-deserved, as Montana has some of the best fishing not just in the United States, but in the entire world. 

You’ll be able to enjoy gorgeous natural scenery while pulling down largemouth bass and rainbow trout. Cold, shallow streams and rivers are ideal for fly fishing. Crystal clear lakes will make you forget the dirt and din of the cities, clearing your head and lifting your spirits. 

Fishing in Montana is beautiful and uplifting you won’t even care if you don’t catch anything. Which is unlikely. 

#6 A Thriving Economy

There’s more to Montana than just farming and ranching. Yes, Agriculture is still the largest industry in the state. There are plenty of others besides, however. 

Montana’s been enjoying a boom in business and technological jobs in recent years. Montana’s high-tech sector grew by 70% in 2015 to 2016 alone. The high-tech industry generated $1.7 billion in 2017. That’s 9x the average of the other industries operating in the state. 

Clearly, tech jobs are on the rise. With low property taxes and plenty of room to grow, it’s safe to say that that’s not going to stop anytime soon. Considering Montana’s blend of inspiring natural beauty, affordability, opportunity, and amazing people, it’s not hard to imagine Montana truly taking off as one of the next national hotspots. 

If you’re thinking of moving to Montana, now would be the time to do it. Get in while the prices are still affordable and you’ve got your pick of properties. 

Ready To Be Living In Montana?

Welcome to Bloomstone, an upscale new community in the burgeoning cultural hub of Kalispell! Our brand new homes offer both quality and affordability. Whether you’re looking for your first home, to start your family or career, or looking to start you’re next adventure in life, you’re sure to love Kalispell. 

If you’re ready to start living in Montana, contact us today to find out about our available opportunities!