Montana is a distinct, undamaged state that differs from the rest of the United States’ continental regions. It has always been recognised as the ‘Treasure State’ due to its vast reserves of various precious mineral resources such as gold, sapphire, and silver.
Big Sky Country is another term for this state because its majestic plains have a breathtaking view of the endless sky.
How are people thinking about relocating to Montana? Of course, Montana, like every other region, has advantages and drawbacks to weigh before making a final relocation decision. Going over the details given below will make it much easier to make a decision.
Benefits of Living in Montana, Wyoming (Pros of Living in Montana, Wyoming)
1. Formal education
Montana University and Montana State University are both highly regarded public higher education institutions that you can attend after establishing residency in the state.
If you have children who want to learn something different in these schools or if you want to return to school, these public options are definitely worth considering. One of the best ways to take advantage of this opportunity is to take early retirement here and then enroll in university classes by applying for Montana’s Lifelong Learning Status.
2. Living Expenses
Montana has a 6.29 percent lower cost of living than the rest of the country. This is due to the state’s abundance of energy resources such as coal, oil, gas, and water. Montana also benefits from the lowest tax rate.
Property taxes are very low in this region, making it very affordable to own cars and houses. Although the annual household income is $36,000, it is enough to pay very few taxes and switch for an average of 18 minutes.
3. The Labor Market
Montana is the fourth largest state, but its population of slightly more than one million people is dispersed throughout the world. As a result, the majority of jobs are concentrated in major cities. Of course, if you are willing to work in agriculture or building, you can live in rural areas.
Many citizens, however, prefer to live in towns and cities and work in traditional industries such as industry, education, and health care. Montana’s overall unemployment rate is about 4.1%, and the minimum hourly wage is $8.30. According to Zillow, healthcare professionals, architects, and engineers receive the highest salaries in Montana.
4. Low Population
Montana (Wyoming) is the third-least populous state in the nation. While it is the fourth largest state in terms of land area, it has a population of just 1.07 million people. The population density per square mile is 6.86. As a result, there is a lot of untouched land, and the bulk of the population is concentrated in county seats.
5. Outdoor Adventure
Montana is well-known for its natural beauty. Because of the amazing combination of mountains, valleys, and glaciers, you’ll see a lot of shots in movies and on TV. Too much of this land is barren, and the state’s population density is the third-lowest in the nation, behind only Wyoming and Alaska.
Living here allows you to be involved in ways that no other state can, with the possible exception of Alaska and Wyoming. Most locals, whether farmers, ranchers, or oil company professionals, often work outside as part of their employment. Then they all take advantage of every opportunity to go hiking, camping, or hunting.
6. A Pleasant and Warm Environment
Montanans are usually warm and welcoming. Even if no one knows who you are, there is typically a courteous way to wait for you when you enter the lane.
It’s not unusual for someone in a diner to strike up a conversation with a stranger just to pass the time. If you’re used to the Northeast or Pacific Northwest, where people tend to stay in their comfort zone, you may find this a refreshing change of pace.
7. Assistive Neighbors
When you live in Montana, you’ll notice that neighbors depend on one another to get through the difficult times. A knock on your door is not unusual when anyone needs assistance in the fields or has a problem with their vehicle.
People will depend on what you can do to make everyone’s life better when you have a specific ability to contribute to your neighborhood, community, or ranching area. There is a very real mentality in this culture that encourages the community to raise everyone up so that every household has the same chances of success.
8. There is no traffic.
Since it is difficult to get from one place to another in this vast open area, the majority of the locals undoubtedly own a vehicle. Furthermore, if you try to go somewhere, you can feel lonely on the road because traffic on the highways is almost non-existent.
Of course, there are public buses and other vehicles in cities and towns, but traffic cannot be defined as heavy. The number of drivers decreases significantly in the winter as roads become slick, and it turns out that driving here is a hilarious experience.
The Drawbacks of Living in Montana (Cons of Living in Montana, Wyoming)
1. Inclement Weather
While Montana has big skies to explore, you’ll also have to deal with some challenging weather events. Despite its mountain location, the state is unable to withstand intense thunderstorms from spring to autumn.
Summers can be very hot if you do not live in a mountain region. If you live along the Canadian border, winter can bring freezing temperatures as early as October in some years.
Temperatures can vary by 100 degrees from week to week between November and March, with temperatures ranging from -50°F to 50°F above. That means layering your clothing and keeping a survival kit in your car at all times.
2. Affordability of Housing
If you want to relocate to Montana in the near future, you can arrange for a short-term rental for your family. The housing market isn’t very stable, and it never will be. Across most of the state, affordable housing is virtually non-existent. And if you can find a great job in one of the cities, four out of five people would drive to work from a rural home because they can’t afford a house in the city.
Many places have very low-cost housing, with Blaine County having a median sales price of just $59,500. The average cost of a property in the state is $99,500, but there are areas where you can’t find a spot for less than $600,000 either.
3. A large number of tourists
It’s only natural that incredible landscape beauty and world-class ski resorts draw thousands of tourists each year. Locals, on the other hand, are dissatisfied with this reality because they fear that tourist crowds would ruin their “last truly wild state.”
It might seem that the number of tourists outnumbers the local population at times, but if you wish to relocate to Montana, it is futile to seek assistance there.
4. Predator Attack
Extensive uninhabited areas provide an ideal habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna. There are fewer than 100 species of mammals, not to mention other birds and animals.
Of course, if you live in the city or downtown area, you won’t see many of them. Nonetheless, Montana has over 30,000 farms spread throughout the state, and locals must defend themselves from predator attacks on a regular basis.
5. A Persistent Desire to Be Self-Sufficient
It is uncommon in Montana’s rural areas to experience issues such as a power outage following a storm, which can hold the lights off for many days at a time. Because of the weather here, you may encounter a car battery that freezes and fails to start your vehicle.
It is critical that you have the basic survival supplies required for at least 7 days when you have your home in the state. These will also assist in keeping supplies in your car for at least three days. You don’t have to become a doomsday prepper to solve this disadvantage, but it will take some time before you can find any assistance.
6. Inadequate Public Transportation
You should dismiss the idea of living in Montana without a car because you want to stay in Helena and never leave. Since winters can be difficult in this region, getting a four-wheel-drive vehicle to meet your needs is nearly essential.
Rural roads are not getting the attention they deserve, and many are still gravel. Chains can not get you out of a bind whether you are trapped in a storm or buried in the snow. If you plan to buy or lease a car, you’ll want one that can withstand the harsh winters in the state.
7. Many Farms
Although it may appear to be a joke, the number of cows in Montana is three times that of humans. With thirty thousand farms and ranches, it is a truly agricultural province.
This company’s annual revenue exceeds $4 billion, but living a cowboy lifestyle and making money like that is not easy. Valleys are often excellent locations for growing fruits and vegetables, but they are still prohibitively expensive in this area.
8. Minimum Requirements
People arriving in Montana from other states’ metropolitan areas can be taken aback by what they see. Only the state’s larger cities lack the varied facilities found in many major American cities. You’ll be more likely to be in the village rather than the capital, and your options for entertainment will be more limited.
Conclusion
These are the Pros and Cons of Living in Montana, Wyoming
