Your Guide to Moving to Montana

Just over one million people live in Montana as of 2022. Are you considering joining them?

Well, it’s important to be prepared when you make a big move. Let’s go through everything you need to know about moving to Montana.

Know What You’re Getting Into

First of all, you need to decide whether or not living in Montana is actually right for you. Montana is an outdoorsy state filled with beautiful nature, so if you’re more of an indoor person it might not be the best choice.

The same is true if you’ve not a confident driver, since roads can be rough out in rural areas. You’ll want to practice your skills before you head out. But, you won’t have to worry much about traffic.

And, the job market in Montana is growing rapidly, so if you’re having trouble finding the job of your dreams you may want to check out what’s on offer there. This is especially true if you’re looking for a job in the technology sector, or if you want to work in the tourism industry.

Plus, because the cost of living is lower than most other states, your money will last longer and you’ll be able to save up more.

Property taxes are low in Montana, too. So, those who are considering buying a home can really benefit.

Choosing An Area

There are lots of different places you can live in in Montana, so you’ll have to choose where you’re looking before you begin the moving process. You may want to live in one of the bigger cities, or you may be more interested in living in a rural area.

Kalispell, for example, is one popular choice for buying a new house in Montana. You may want to visit different areas of the state first, so you can get a feel for the vibe before you pick a place and start moving to Montana.

Find a Home

Now that you know where you want to live, you’ll need to find a home. Consider whether you plan to rent, or buy. If you plan to buy, you’ll want to make sure you can find exactly what you need before you put a large sum of money down.

Homes are cheaper in Montana than in most of the rest of the country, but that doesn’t mean you should just throw your money down on the first place you like. Think about what your needs are.

If you have children, for example, you may want to look for a place with a little more space. Some other factors you should consider when you’re buying a home include:

• Number of bathrooms
• Types of kitchen appliances
• Flooring options
• Green energy adaptations
• Privacy fencing
• Porches or decks
• Yard improvements, like in-line sprinkler systems
• Accessibility measures, like ramps and elevators

Once you have your list, you can either hire a professional to help you find a home or you can begin looking at new homes on your own. 

Plan Out Your Move

When you know exactly where you’re going, it’s time to begin the process of actually moving. Moving can be expensive, so ensure that you set a thorough budget for the moving process and leave yourself plenty of room in case of a problem.

You’ll need to figure out how you’re getting your stuff to your new home. You can rent a moving van and drive it yourself, or you can hire professional movers to transport your stuff. If you plan to hire movers, you’ll need to read reviews of different companies to ensure that you pick one that will handle your items with care. 

Pick a date for your move, and gather all the required supplies. Then, you’ll have to start packing. Label all of your boxes carefully so that you know that they are, and so that you’ll be able to tell if you lose anything during the moving process.

There’s also always paperwork when it comes to moving. You’ll need to switch your driver’s license, and update your address on all of your different accounts. You’ll also have to cancel any location-based memberships you might have. You can get your mail forwarded, in case there’s anything you might have missed while you’re moving things around.

If you have children, you’ll need to get them signed up for school. If they’re older, they should consider applying to one of the great colleges and universities located in the state.

If you’ll need to get a new job, check what’s available and start applying before you leave. No matter where you live, the job market can be competitive!

You should set up the utilities for your new home too. You won’t have a choice for some of these, but for things like your Internet provider you should do thorough research and find out what the best deal you can get is.

Once you get to Montana, it’s time to settle in. People in Montana are known to be especially friendly, so you shouldn’t have any problem making new friends and settling into your community.

And, you’ll have time to explore and find new favorite stores, bars, restaurants, and the like. You can even ask around for recommendations.

Moving to Montana: Get Started

As you can see, moving to Montana is much easier than you think. You just need to follow this guide, and you’ll be on your way.

Do you need more help finding your new home? Contact us today for your real estate needs.