Let’s talk Montana…Got a bad attitude??? Please move along.

[WildBoose]

Like many others, we’re looking at moving here…but on a very serious level.
The dreams of living in the mountains off grid isn’t a reality because of my wife’s line of work (medical field). While that limits us to decently populated areas, I’m fine with the trade off.
Helena, Butte and Missoula (towards the bottom of the list) are the main 3 we are looking at.
I’m currently a hunting guide (waterfowl) but have plans of transitioning over into fly fishing and/or other means non-traditional income.
Looking for an area that is good for a growing family with younger kids.
Let’s have an honest conversation. Feel free to DM me if that would make you feel better.
Don’t be an arse with the “we’re full, move to ND”…those comments don’t add value to anyone’s life.

 

[Team4LongGun]

I would suggest figuring out the max distance you and your wife want to be from her work, wally world/costco, doctors office etc. and then backwards plan from that area outward.

I would HIGHLY suggest visiting your top 3 or 4, for at least 3 days each. Go to breakfast, eat dinner out. Go to public places. Take the walmart test....go into walmart and get a fast idea of what the area people are like.

Summer and winter are different-not as in temps, but visitors.....factor that in.

 

[WildBoose]

I would suggest figuring out the max distance you and your wife want to be from her work, wally world/costco, doctors office etc. and then backwards plan from that area outward.

I would HIGHLY suggest visiting your top 3 or 4, for at least 3 days each. Go to breakfast, eat dinner out. Go to public places. Take the walmart test....go into walmart and get a fast idea of what the area people are like.

Summer and winter are different-not as in temps, but visitors.....factor that in.

We definitely have parameters to where we want to live.
Not in the city, but within 30 minutes of her job.
I’m 90% feral but she isn’t quite to that level, so some modern conveniences, restaurants, stores, etc would have to be factored in.
As far as the visitors comment…we have both worked with the public on either end of the spectrum for a long time. We understand the struggles with people in general lol

 

[rbutcher1234]

Also following

 

[nobody]

My in laws live just outside Three Forks, basically a wide spot in the road in the middle of Bozeman, Butte, and Helena. Only thing that keeps it on the map is Wheat Montana, a Flying J, and a strip club.

Anyways, he’s a pilot for Delta Airlines, and is able to be to any of the 3 airports in those towns in a reasonable time to get to SLC where he’s based. There’s plenty of “industry” to support a family in the area, yet puts you out of the center of Boze-Angeles. And the fly fishing from Ennis to Three Forks is awesome. Your wife could work in any of the big 3 cities in the area and you could just guide from three forks, as an idea. Plus you’re not Far from an airport to go on vacations or go visit family or welcome family into town.

Just steer clear of my in-laws if you move there, they’re horrible people that I would recommend my worst enemy avoid at all costs even though he runs the nicest long range shooting range in the state arguably, still not worth getting mixed up with them haha

 

[Dust Rider]

My in laws live just outside Three Forks, basically a wide spot in the road in the middle of Bozeman, Butte, and Helena. Only thing that keeps it on the map is Wheat Montana, a Flying J, and a strip club.

Anyways, he’s a pilot for Delta Airlines, and is able to be to any of the 3 airports in those towns in a reasonable time to get to SLC where he’s based. There’s plenty of “industry” to support a family in the area, yet puts you out of the center of Boze-Angeles. And the fly fishing from Ennis to Three Forks is awesome. Your wife could work in any of the big 3 cities in the area and you could just guide from three forks, as an idea. Plus you’re not Far from an airport to go on vacations or go visit family or welcome family into town.

Just steer clear of my in-laws if you move there, they’re horrible people that I would recommend my worst enemy avoid at all costs even though he runs the nicest long range shooting range in the state arguably, still not worth getting mixed up with them haha

You married into Jeff and Ann’s clan?
They are super nice when taking our membership $$

 

[Dust Rider]

OP
Are you both good at driving in snow? It makes a difference on where you chose to buy a house.

 

[North of 60]

Good luck OP as we will also be heading that way in 2026 - retiring to western MT or north ID. We may snowbird in 15 years or so.

I lived for a while in Missoula and the outskirts aren't bad.

As mentioned, go visit the places you are considering.

Also suggest also at least checking out Kalispell/Whitefish/Columbia Falls...Flathead lake is nice and Polson is scenic, just a bit of a drive to Kalispell.

And expect some "we're full" comments.

 

[WildBoose]

OP
Are you both good at driving in snow? It makes a difference on where you chose to buy a house.

We are cautious but confident. The biggest danger when driving in snow….is other drivers

 

[pwdrski]

I would suggest figuring out the max distance you and your wife want to be from her work, wally world/costco, doctors office etc. and then backwards plan from that area outward.

I would HIGHLY suggest visiting your top 3 or 4, for at least 3 days each. Go to breakfast, eat dinner out. Go to public places. Take the walmart test....go into walmart and get a fast idea of what the area people are like.

Summer and winter are different-not as in temps, but visitors.....factor that in.

Love the go into Walmart suggestion! Spot on advice!!

 

[Grassymike]

Kalispell /Whitefish is full. We have camped in that area, mostly Glacier for years. Something like 100,000 more people in the last 6 or so years. it is quickly getting ruined.

 

[BuckSmasher]

Like many others, we’re looking at moving here…but on a very serious level.
The dreams of living in the mountains off grid isn’t a reality because of my wife’s line of work (medical field). While that limits us to decently populated areas, I’m fine with the trade off.
Helena, Butte and Missoula (towards the bottom of the list) are the main 3 we are looking at.
I’m currently a hunting guide (waterfowl) but have plans of transitioning over into fly fishing and/or other means non-traditional income.
Looking for an area that is good for a growing family with younger kids.
Let’s have an honest conversation. Feel free to DM me if that would make you feel better.
Don’t be an arse with the “we’re full, move to ND”…those comments don’t add value to anyone’s life.

Bitteroot valley south of Missoula is nice. As is some of the 'suburbs' of Bozeman. We liked Helena. Not as pretty of an area as Bozeman or Missoula. Butte is one of the dingiest least desirable towns I have ever been in. Would not recommend. Where are you coming from?

 

[Fetty Wapiti]

Montana is only a few steps behind Colorado as far as being ruined. I would be very careful. You may fall in love with a place to only see it irreversibly changed (in bad ways) within the next decade. It is extremely unstable and teetering on the edge. Only a few hundred thousand more people and it will be as woke as Boulder.

 

[WildBoose]

Bitteroot valley south of Missoula is nice. As is some of the 'suburbs' of Bozeman. We liked Helena. Not as pretty of an area as Bozeman or Missoula. Butte is one of the dingiest least desirable towns I have ever been in. Would not recommend. Where are you coming from?

Kentucky.
I try and make the pilgrimage out west every year, so I’m not going in totally blind. Just looking for some helpful information.

 

[BuckSmasher]

Kentucky.
I try and make the pilgrimage out west every year, so I’m not going in totally blind. Just looking for some helpful information.

That was us 6 years ago. Its different once you actually move. The 'new' stage was absolutely awesome. Every day, every season was a new experience. Once the new wore off what remains is the 'why'. We moved up here for public land access and so any kids we had would get to live an outdoor lifestyle. Definitely made the right decision but also miss a lot about Texas. No salt on the roads, better and more diverse food, more sunlight in the winter, hog hunting, and saltwater fishing. Gained awesome summers where you can actually be outside without having a heat stroke, huckleberry picking, millions of acres to hunt and ride my horses on, four seasons, white Christmases, mountain views, resident elk tags.

 

[North of 60]

That was us 6 years ago. Its different once you actually move. The 'new' stage was absolutely awesome. Every day, every season was a new experience. Once the new wore off what remains is the 'why'. We moved up here for public land access and so any kids we had would get to live an outdoor lifestyle. Definitely made the right decision but also miss a lot about Texas. No salt on the roads, better and more diverse food, more sunlight in the winter, hog hunting, and saltwater fishing. Gained awesome summers where you can actually be outside without having a heat stroke, huckleberry picking, millions of acres to hunt and ride my horses on, four seasons, white Christmases, mountain views, resident elk tags.

Well said.

 

[amassi]

My in laws live just outside Three Forks, basically a wide spot in the road in the middle of Bozeman, Butte, and Helena. Only thing that keeps it on the map is Wheat Montana, a Flying J, and a strip club.

Anyways, he’s a pilot for Delta Airlines, and is able to be to any of the 3 airports in those towns in a reasonable time to get to SLC where he’s based. There’s plenty of “industry” to support a family in the area, yet puts you out of the center of Boze-Angeles. And the fly fishing from Ennis to Three Forks is awesome. Your wife could work in any of the big 3 cities in the area and you could just guide from three forks, as an idea. Plus you’re not Far from an airport to go on vacations or go visit family or welcome family into town.

Just steer clear of my in-laws if you move there, they’re horrible people that I would recommend my worst enemy avoid at all costs even though he runs the nicest long range shooting range in the state arguably, still not worth getting mixed up with them haha

The 3 forks strip club must be wild on a Tuesday night when the A team is off


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Q_Sertorius]

You posted this same basic question back in July, right?

The childhood friend with whom I went upland bird hunting last month basically did this about 15 years ago with her now ex-husband. She works in the medical field. Her ex-husband and her [post marriage] ex-boyfriend were both guides. Each of them basically thought they had hit the jackpot with a breadwinning woman who would support their hunting and fishing. That didn’t work out for anyone in the long run.

I’d plan on picking a spot where you can find a real job when push comes to shove.

 

[WildBoose]

You posted this same basic question back in July, right?

The childhood friend with whom I went upland bird hunting last month basically did this about 15 years ago with her now ex-husband. She works in the medical field. Her ex-husband and her [post marriage] ex-boyfriend were both guides. Each of them basically thought they had hit the jackpot with a breadwinning woman who would support their hunting and fishing. That didn’t work out for anyone in the long run.

I’d plan on picking a spot where you can find a real job when push comes to shove.

Sorry to hear about their personal lives.
I’m pretty confident in my current situation.