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

[Team4LongGun]

This. I heard WY is nice.

Man, don't you get tired of making these posts? It's old. We get it.

 

[aks]

I live just outside Missoula. I sent you a message. Ask away.

 

[Schmo]

Man, don't you get tired of making these posts? It's old. We get it.

To add to this. I don’t mean this rudely, just bluntly haha.

Some seem to have forgotten that this is a free (ish) country. Lots of things we can gripe about, but it’s still the best there is. People are free to move where they like! Trust me, my area is being over-run by Californians who move here for work, and the majority are liberals. I’m a conservative. I don’t like it, but there’s no way to stop it, and it’s their right to be here. So, when someone asks about a western state that you live in, so many want to push them away. Dude, people are coming whether you like it or not. Also, since it’s Rokslide, in general, you probably agree on more things than you don’t. You could have an anti-gun lunatic wanting to come, but you have a fellow hunter. How does that make sense to push him away?

 

[Team4LongGun]

To add to this. I don’t mean this rudely, just bluntly haha.

Some seem to have forgotten that this is a free (ish) country. Lots of things we can gripe about, but it’s still the best there is. People are free to move where they like! Trust me, my area is being over-run by Californians who move here for work, and the majority are liberals. I’m a conservative. I don’t like it, but there’s no way to stop it, and it’s their right to be here. So, when someone asks about a western state that you live in, so many want to push them away. Dude, people are coming whether you like it or not. Also, since it’s Rokslide, in general, you probably agree on more things than you don’t. You could have an anti-gun lunatic wanting to come, but you have a fellow hunter. How does that make sense to push him away?

Great points @Schmo

When you have the same folks hiding the gate keeping mentality under the "being funny" comment, but it's over and over, it reeks of entitlement and arrogance. And it's not funny anymore.
Furthermore, it's more than likely to have the opposite effect, if your always pushing folks away, they tend to think your hiding something and want it more.

 

[noisy]

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.

Not likely. Montana has gone from purple to red, and most of the people moving here are rednecks looking for a conservative enclave. Pick your poison.

IMO Helena offers the best combination of great central location but not crazy crowded and expensive like Bozo or Missoula. Let's just say it grows on you. We raised our kids here and have zero regrets.

 

[Elkhuntinfool78]

As a sixth generation Montanan I can say it's definitely not the state that I grew up in and loved.

So many people move here and try to make it like the place they came from that it's truly nauseating.

That said I believe it still has a lot to offer for the right people. Hunting public land is tough but can be done if you're willing to work for it . Fishing any of the known rivers in the state is mostly a waste of time, unreal the amount of pressure our rivers see these days. I stick to small creeks and lakes myself.

As others mentioned we are becoming the next Colorado and I'd have to say that's pretty spot on so that might be worth keeping in mind.

Winters are sometimes brutal but sometimes not bad. If you like to ski/snowboard or snowmobile then you have a lot of great options.

I wouldn't live in Missoula if you paid me to but that's just me. As people mentioned before spend a little time in the places you're interested in.

Good luck, hopefully it's a good fit for you

 

[Schmo]

For everyone who has said how much Montana has/is changing, can you name a state that’s not in the same position? There are very few that aren’t changing, especially in the west. Our world is changing, people. Hard to take, but it’s the fact.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Man, don't you get tired of making these posts? It's old. We get it.

No, I get tired of all the posts of “I live in (fill in the blank) and want to move to (fill the blank…one of the states in the west). How do I do it? Which town do I move to? Can you tell me where the elk are at? Oh, I got here, can you tell me how to put chains on my vehicle?” Yes, I’ve seen all these posts on RS.

To add to this. I don’t mean this rudely, just bluntly haha.

Some seem to have forgotten that this is a free (ish) country. Lots of things we can gripe about, but it’s still the best there is. People are free to move where they like! Trust me, my area is being over-run by Californians who move here for work, and the majority are liberals. I’m a conservative. I don’t like it, but there’s no way to stop it, and it’s their right to be here. So, when someone asks about a western state that you live in, so many want to push them away. Dude, people are coming whether you like it or not. Also, since it’s Rokslide, in general, you probably agree on more things than you don’t. You could have an anti-gun lunatic wanting to come, but you have a fellow hunter. How does that make sense to push him away?

I’ve lived in 7 different states. I’m aware it’s a free country and enjoy living in the US. At no time have I said otherwise. The difference is I didn’t hem haw and ask for shoulder rubs to validate an idea I had to move to somewhere from strangers. When I found a good opportunity, and that opportunity looked like it would be in a cool place I moved there, made relationships, and figured it out….without forum advice. The exciting part of moving to a new spot is the actual adventure of doing it. I had never been to Missoula before I moved here…I just did it and figured it out.

True, people are coming whether you, I, or anyone else wants them to come. I’m fine with giving some advice to folks on this subject. But that information is earned, not blindly given…at least from my standpoint. You do you. You can invite them in YOUR home and show them YOUR hunting/fishing/secret outdoor spot.

Just because someone is on RS doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s the internet…things aren’t always as they appear. While I have learned tons of cool stuff and given advice on outdoor forums, there are some things I’ll hold close to my vest. It is a free country after all, I don’t have to give up any of my information.

Great points @Schmo

When you have the same folks hiding the gate keeping mentality under the "being funny" comment, but it's over and over, it reeks of entitlement and arrogance. And it's not funny anymore.
Furthermore, it's more than likely to have the opposite effect, if your always pushing folks away, they tend to think your hiding something and want it more.

Entitlement and arrogance? I can assure you I’ve worked very hard to get where I’m at today and live comfortably and provide for my family. If someone wants to make their life better by relocating, then by all means, do what you need to do for you and your family. Figuring it out yourself…it builds character and it will make you stronger. Cliche perhaps, but it’s true nonetheless.

I jest, because obviously MT is a cool place to live…duh. All you have to do is watch A River Runs Through It and Yellowstone, right?

 

[North of 60]

Sometimes the best we can do is to aim for positive change by encouraging like-minded folks.

Much better than the alternative.

 

[Schmo]

I’ve lived in 7 different states. I’m aware it’s a free country and enjoy living in the US. At no time have I said otherwise. The difference is I didn’t hem haw and ask for shoulder rubs to validate an idea I had to move to somewhere from strangers. When I found a good opportunity, and that opportunity looked like it would be in a cool place I moved there, made relationships, and figured it out….without forum advice. The exciting part of moving to a new spot is the actual adventure of doing it. I had never been to Missoula before I moved here…I just did it and figured it out.

True, people are coming whether you, I, or anyone else wants them to come. I’m fine with giving some advice to folks on this subject. But that information is earned, not blindly given…at least from my standpoint. You do you. You can invite them in YOUR home and show them YOUR hunting/fishing/secret outdoor spot.

Just because someone is on RS doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s the internet…things aren’t always as they appear. While I have learned tons of cool stuff and given advice on outdoor forums, there are some things I’ll hold close to my vest. It is a free country after all, I don’t have to give up any of my information.

Man, I know you don’t like it. This is the General Discussion forum. Dude was just wanting general advice, not your honey holes. And he also asked that if you couldn’t be helpful, that you would just move on. You didn’t honor that request, but had to chime in, in direct opposition to his request. The guy is just simply doing his homework. How is he supposed to know anything unless he asks people. Nothing in this thread has been any sort of a secret. He was asking which town would be good. Don’t think I care nothing of Montana. I have family there, and that’s where I do the majority of my hunting, so I also have a vested interest in the state. If your state is going to fill up regardless, might as well be with pro 2A, pro hunting folk. Otherwise, it’ll be the rainbow people.

Don’t take my comments as rude or uncaring, but we have a wrong perspective on some things. If you can’t help, please move along.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Dude was just wanting general advice, not your honey holes

A yet, I would argue that is exactly what is happening. Whether it’s where I live, or any of my spots where I spend time outdoors.

I grew up on the Front Range of CO in the 80s and 90s. It was fantastic. I went to CSU in Fort Collins before it was in the “Top 10 Places to Live” lists in those stupid magazines and websites. Guess what? Fort Collins is longer on those lists, nor is the Front Range…gee I wonder why.

And he also asked that if you couldn’t be helpful, that you would just move on. You didn’t honor that request, but had to chime in, in direct opposition to his request.

There are words of wisdom and experience in my last post for someone looking to relocate. I’ve been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt…many times.

The guy is just simply doing his homework. How is he supposed to know anything unless he asks people

I did my own homework when I moved. Never needed or looked to a forum for opinions on this subject. With Google and AI nowadays, everything one seeks is available with some keystrokes.

So I can make everyone happy…OP, I would advise you ponder answers to some of these questions:

It looks as though you’re married with kids. Will this move be good for them or just you?

Have you looked at housing costs here?

It’s always easier to move somewhere if you’ve secured work prior to moving. Have you started looking? Depending on what you find…this may make the choice of which town you move to. Just because you want to move here doesn’t mean there’s work for both you and your wife.

Hope you like winter. Have you researched what that’s like here? And, I mean really researched it. Winters in Missoula are far different than winters in Miles City. Either way, they’re long. Do you have vehicles that can handle the winter here?

How about smoke? Ever lived in a place where it’s smokey for months on end?

Leaving behind family you’ll need to visit? If so, probably should look into flight costs.

 

[WildBoose]

Trusts me buddy, I’m definitely not interested in your hunting spots.

It sounds like you are a real go getter. Pulled yourself up by your boot straps and “never needed nothing from nobody”…..that’s cool bro.

Now that you have proved yourself elite to everyone in this thread…please find another one.

 

[el_jefe_pescado]

With your background and everything you just described. I would be looking at Billings. Close enough to the mountains and to the Mecca of MT’s waterfowl scene. Biggest hospital in the state and more affordable than most other pockets.

Eastern, MT is the coolest part of the state and has the most dinosaurs which should play a big factor in making any move.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[S.Clancy]

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.

This is beyond wise based on what I've seen in my life.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Trusts me buddy, I’m definitely not interested in your hunting spots.

It sounds like you are a real go getter. Pulled yourself up by your boot straps and “never needed nothing from nobody”…..that’s cool bro.

Now that you have proved yourself elite to everyone in this thread…please find another one.

You probably don’t love hearing it but everything firefly fishing said is spot on… sorry if he comes across as cynical, pretty hard not being if you grew up in the Rocky mountains when they were half full… good luck with your move