Named The Big Sky Country for obvious reasons, Montana is that large expansive state in the northernmost part of the continental US.
The state shares the northern side with Canada and is home to Glacier National Park.
Greet this state with an open mind, and you will soon discover the joys and challenges of being a resident of Montana–a Montanan.
Contents
- Pros of Living in Montana
- 1. Plenty of Room to Roam
- 2. Glacier National Park
- 3. Big City Billings Offers Breweries
- 4. Bozeman is Popular for Families
- 5. It Snows Heavily in Winter in Montana
- 6. Close Proximity to Yellowstone National Park
- 7. People in Montana Live Longer Than Those in Missouri
- 8. Huckleberries, Chokecherries, and Other Tasty Montana Morsels
- Cons of Living in Montana
- 1. Lack of Survival Skills in the Wild, Wild West
- 2. Allergies to Snow or Cold Weather
- 3. Lack of Other Montanans
- 4. Californians Have a Longer Life Expectancy Than Montanans
- 5. Hockey or Baseball…and That’s About All the Sports Montana Offers
- 6. There is Not a Trader Joe’s and Barely a Whole Foods Market
- 7. Violent Crime is on the Upside
- 8. Agriculture, Forestry, Energy Production, and Mining are the Big Jobs
- Pros and Cons of Living in Montana – Summary Table
- Montana Safety Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
Pros of Living in Montana
1. Plenty of Room to Roam
Wide-open prairies and miles between neighbors where only horses tell tales to greet you in Montana.
Here you are residing in the fourth largest state by size according to the landmass.
Right along with a herd of sheep or goats, or maybe horses and cattle–or just farmland for neighbors.
If you want to own a ranch or livestock or settle down on several hundred acres, this is the state for you–as long as you have the money.
2. Glacier National Park
The Canadian border state is home to Glacier National Park, which is home to…you guessed it, glaciers.
You cannot see glaciers in Florida or most other states in the US, so that makes this a unique find.
Of course, you have to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road when you travel to this park, a treacherous yet awe-inspiring mountain pass of 50 miles.
This road reaches Canada and is a must for any nature enthusiast.
3. Big City Billings Offers Breweries
The southeastern city of Billings, MT is the most populated with 109,976 residents, compared to the second most populated city in Missoula with 74,994 people.
Billings is home to nearly a dozen breweries.
These include Montana Brewing Company, Canyon Creek Brewing, and Thirsty Street Brewing Company at the Taproom.
You can also find Carter’s Brewing, Angry Hank’s Microbrewery, and Meadowlark Brewing.
These are just to name a few!
4. Bozeman is Popular for Families
Previously the fastest-growing city in the state, Bozeman was popular with new residents.
Schools, neighborhoods, housing, and parks are all accommodating to families and young people.
Attractions in Bozeman include Snowfall Recreation Area; the Museum of the Rockies; Montana State University; and Drinking Horse Mountain Trailhead.
5. It Snows Heavily in Winter in Montana
If you love snowball fights and snowshoeing, you might fall head over heels in love with Montana.
Bridger Bowl Ski Area in Bozeman, Maverick Mountain in Polaris, and Discovery Ski Area in Anaconda are some of the top places to ski and enjoy winter sports in the US.
Glacier National Park has more than 700 miles of trails alone.
You also have the Whitefish Mountain Resort for those ultra-luxurious ski vacations.
6. Close Proximity to Yellowstone National Park
The southeastern corner of Montana is a part of Yellowstone National Park.
Therefore, anywhere you live in MT, you are only a few hours’ drives from this magnificent highlight of our nation’s lands and animals.
Drive through the park and see bison/buffalo roaming freely, and take a hike to see the gushing Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River, which is in Montana.
7. People in Montana Live Longer Than Those in Missouri
Montanans get an average of 78.5 years on this planet.
That’s a pretty good lifespan and even better than Missourians get.
In Missouri, residents can expect to live for about 77.5 years.
If you want to have a longer life expectancy, choose Montana over Missouri.
This could be thanks to the wondrous nature and outdoor activities available to people in Montana.
The cold weather might also play a role in encouraging social networking in MT out of a need for basic survival.
8. Huckleberries, Chokecherries, and Other Tasty Montana Morsels
There are many foods that come from Montana’s cold wilderness.
This includes huckleberries and chokecherries, which are vibrant fruits you won’t find in most stores in other states.
If you are a foodie, you get to try new ingredients and test out local secrets, like bison burgers and Rocky Mountain oysters.
Cons of Living in Montana
1. Lack of Survival Skills in the Wild, Wild West
Surviving in Montana is a life sport–which is why they do not need professional sports in this state.
Just kidding, it is because there’s a lack of people to play or to pay to see them.
What you spend your time doing instead is surviving in the wilds with few people or resources easily available.
Wal-Marts require hours of driving in between, and gas stations do not come along often enough when driving.
Winter months bring along blizzards and subzero temperatures that can be deadly.
There are also bison or buffalo that roam throughout part of the state thanks to Yellowstone National Park.
There are a lot of hazards to contend with that are not typical in other states or regions of the US.
You have to be prepared for this.
2. Allergies to Snow or Cold Weather
If you are afraid of snow or hate driving when there is ice on the roads, well, you might want to avoid Montana.
It is bound to happen each year–snow, that is.
Learning to love the snow is one thing; you might actually be allergic to the cold temperatures and your lack of immunity might be a health risk.
Instead of building snowpeople and going sledding, your first winters could be filled with head colds and a loss of sensitivity in your fingertips.
3. Lack of Other Montanans
There are barely 1 million people with 1.062 million residents as of 2020 in Montana.
Twice as many as in Wyoming, the state we often confuse with Montana, you might not see another person for days on end.
Comparably, Wyoming has only 581,348 people, while bordering Idaho has twice as many as MT with 1.754 million residents.
Los Angeles, which is a city, has 3.849 million people for comparison.
Montana is a lot of space for nobody to live, which can be unnerving if you, say, come from LA.
4. Californians Have a Longer Life Expectancy Than Montanans
Sorry to say, but according to the US Census Bureau, this is true.
The life expectancy for someone living in MT is 78.5 years, compared to 80.8 years for those people in CA.
California is also by the ocean and does not get super cold as it does in Montana.
Plus, there are tons of people; you might prefer to live in CA to MT.
5. Hockey or Baseball…and That’s About All the Sports Montana Offers
If you are a hockey buff or love ice hockey and ice skating, you will feel right at home in Montana.
The same goes for baseball, as they have several minor league teams, including the Missoula Osprey, Billings Mustangs, and Great Falls Voyagers.
Prefer national football, soccer, tennis, or NASCAR?
Well, you might have trouble getting someone to watch it with you on television, and you certainly will not find a local national sports team or race to attend.
6. There is Not a Trader Joe’s and Barely a Whole Foods Market
Trader Joe’s is nowhere to be found in all of Montana.
If you at least want to stop in at Whole Foods Market, you will…maybe eventually…be able to do this for the first time ever in MT at a Bozeman location.
However, the building of the store in the Gallatin Valley Mall has been going on since 2020 and it is temporarily closed as of 2022.
Shopping for food on a national scale from stores you love in other states is not possible here.
Plan on finding a farmer’s market or going online.
7. Violent Crime is on the Upside
And that is never good news.
Yet according to the US Census Bureau, Montana has been seeing more violent crime since 2018.
In 2018, there were 3,974 violent crimes compared to 4,328 violent crimes in 2019.
This has increased steadily since 2008 when there were 2,497 violent crimes annually in Montana.
8. Agriculture, Forestry, Energy Production, and Mining are the Big Jobs
In Montana, you can find plenty of jobs working in forestry service positions, or on farms.
What you cannot do is work for a production studio on a movie set–just kidding, you can do that, too, as “Yellowstone” is doing for the state.
But if you do not have experience or networking skills in any of these industries, you are going to struggle with finding gainful employment.
Jobs that are not in season in Montana are most retail, customer service, or teaching positions in rural areas, which lack funding or opportunities.
Pros and Cons of Living in Montana – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Montana | Cons of Living in Montana |
|---|---|
| 1. Plenty of Room to Roam | 1. Lack of Survival Skills in the Wild, Wild West |
| 2. Glacier National Park | 2. Allergies to Snow or Cold Weather |
| 3. Big City Billings Offers Breweries | 3. Lack of Other Montanans |
| 4. Bozeman is Popular for Families | 4. Californians Have a Longer Life Expectancy Than Montanans |
| 5. It Snows Heavily in Winter in Montana | 5. Hockey or Baseball…and That’s About All the Sports Montana Offers |
| 6. Close Proximity to Yellowstone National Park | 6. There is Not a Trader Joe’s and Barely a Whole Foods Market |
| 7. People in Montana Live Longer Than Those in Missouri | 7. Violent Crime is on the Upside |
| 8. Huckleberries, Chokecherries, and Other Tasty Montana Morsels | 8. Agriculture, Forestry, Energy Production, and Mining are the Big Jobs |
Montana Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Montana Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest growing city in Montana?
Does Montana have an NFL team?
No, there is not a National Football League team in Montana.
They do not have an NBA or WNBA team either.
In fact, the state has no professional teams in a sports arena.
What is the state animal in Montana?
The grizzly bear is the state animal in MT.
However, it is even more notable that there are more golden eagles in Montana than any other state.
How many colleges are there in Montana?
There are 16 colleges and universities in Montana that enroll more than 40,000 total students.
How many lakes are in Montana that are for fishing and recreation?
The state of Montana has 2,303 lakes.
The best lakes include Whitefish Lake, Flathead Lake, Mystic Lake, Lake McDonald, and Holland Lake.
i like you montana.
Culture shock is going to be something we actually look forward to when we leave our native home of Southern California to retire in Flathead County. MT. We’ll take the cold over the liberal politics any day! Big Sky Country here we come!!!!
You will love it! Its a little dreary in the winter but you can always get out of town when needed.
For anyone wanting to move to Montana, especially from California, all I can say is..DON’T EXPECT A WARM WELCOME! I’m a native Montanan born and raised in Billings.
Another word, I’m a “city” girl. That being said, I can only comment on the concern’s and view’s of what it’s been like growing up in the city. I’m in my 40’s and between my husband and I we are solidly in the middle class. For Montana that is. It’s taken us the past 20 year’s to get to where we are.
Our plan was to start looking for a house a couple year’s ago. We’ve always rented but are now at an age we want to get a home of our own. HOWEVER, because there are so many transplants moving here, especially from California, where they’ve made a substantial amount of money off the home they sold we’re no longer able to afford to buy a home.
People came here and started paying double and sometimes triple what a home is worth and have driven real estate prices through the roof!! The come here and pay cash for a home that someone else is ALREADY IN THE PROCESS OF BUYING! As long as the final closing hasn’t gone through they still treat the property as fair game.
It doesn’t matter who they hurt as long as they get what they want. THEY can afford to buy overpriced homes while people who ARE FROM HERE can no longer afford to buy a home in the town they were BORN IN! Plus, they move here and bring their attitude with them.
Constantly complaining and saying things like, “Well, they don’t do things like that in California!” Or “Things are better in California!” In my way of thinking if you move somewhere else then YOU need to adapt to how thing are where you move to.
NOT move to another state and try to turn it into the state you came from. If people love California so much and want to bring their attitude and way of doing things to Montana then they can GET OUT AND GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM..You may think this is just MY opinion and I have an ax to grind.
I can assure you IT ISN’T! This is the way the MAJORITY of native Montanan’s feel no matter where in the state they live. If people moved her and wanted to live like we do that would be wonderful but they DON’T.
They bring their entitled attitudes, crime and f#@ked up moral’s with them and expect us to change and we’re DONE PUTTING UP WITH IT.
So, like I said….if you want to move to Montana because you watch “Yellowstone” and think it would be a great place to move to….IT ISN’T! and with each and every transplant it gets worse! If you move there that’s your choice but DON’T EXPECT A WARM WELCOME….YOU WON’T GET IT!
I absolutely agree. Born and raised in Montana. Grew up in west Yellowstone and I’ve been living the big city life in Missoula the past 15 yrs. This is my state and I hate seeing trash up chamberlain creek or up some of my old camping sites, or seeing the douchy Cali mansions where it used to be perfect un obscured view of post card Montana. The locals hate you and you should consider Oregon for your new home. Go back to your beach life in some state that borders the ocean
Wow! You win. I’ll stay in San Diego.
What they’re saying is happening in a lot of other states since covid and I agree with them. Makes sense.
yep–the exact same thing is happening in Colorado. We hate all the Californians moving in. They destroyed their own state, needed to leave it, then they destroy everywhere else they go!
Now you know exactly how the native indian populations of Montana feel about invaders like you and your ancestors Stephan. Go back to Europe. 🙂
You tribal members forget, if it wasn’t for European civilization which has brought modern medicine, indoor heating and plumbing, longer life span and a host of other positive modern inventions you would still be living like you did in the 1600s. Wonder what a winter camp smelled like along the Yellowstone.
Bet you won’t give up your ice cream.
We didn’t invade. We’re native Americans. (figuratively and literally)
The invaders died off over 400 years ago.
I’ve been to Ireland and Scotland. They don’t think i’m kin.
I understand what you are saying. Just so you know that many have been squeezed out of california because of all the people from other countries…. as far as all the liberal freaks they should adapt to your ways I agree. . Please look at the bigger picture of what’s going on. It’s not just california it’s happening all over the country .. they have been.grooming kids in colleges for years to act the way they do.. they come out of college brainwashed liberals .
Hating our country .then they spawn little liberal brats of their own. Again It’s not just california. .
.ok I know I went off topic but my point is , . Not all California’s are like that.
It’s mostly the people on the coast. And there are alot . But down the middle of the state it’s different well it was .. they are spreading out and ruining the rest of the state. And in my opinion you might want to check the colleges in your state and find out what and how they are teaching. Because if you don’t keep them in check you will appreciate the people coming now .. because the next generation of graduates will be way worse and possibly a child of yours …. … again I get your frustration but instead of saying you hate all Californian focus some of that energy to check your colleges. Or you will end up like many of us.. the people that love this country need to unite
or the whole country will be communist montana included ..
The elections are rigged
We tried recalling newsome … just imagine if he is appointed president .
That’s a good point. Why don’t you come to Texas?
(Just don’t tell your neighbor)
Good point Tina. Well said
Refugee trying to infect others with the same disease that made there environment inhospitable and can’t see what caused them to evacuate in the first place
Kinda like what your ancestors did to the West and native indian populations and lands huh Anonymous? 🙂
Non of those Indians are alive today. I doubt their descendants care. They have meth now
Meth is everywhere. What the he’ll are you trying to insinuate?
Here’s a newsflash for you: your ancestors did it to the Indians too.
We’re all human we’re all mixed. Send your dna to 23&me or ancestry.com
Guarantee you have “European invader” ancestors. Just as I have Indian(feather)black, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, southeast Asian,Indian(dot)and a whole lot of Latino ( which is euro+Indian-feather)
mixed with all my “euro invader”
If everything good or bad in history didn’t happen, you wouldn’t be alive to bitch about it. So quit bitchin’, thank God, and start livin’.
100% AGREE!! I’m at Montana Native from Glendive, living most of my life near Boise, Idaho. Idaho is now COMPLETELY FKd up 🤬 yes, Californias. Its beyond sickening. Everything you say, our home prices have tripled or more, property taxes, quadrupled in five years, can barely get into doctors, or even restaurants, rotten attitude, crime, aggressive A-holes driving and I can’t find the words for our traffic now…😩. Every time I see a California plate I want to throw up. And their favorite line, “oh, I’m one of the good ones”.
We have the same thing in Texas. Californians are like locusts. Devour and Corrupt their state and when it becomes intolerable fly to yours to start all over.
Some here hold on to hope that the Cali’s who come here are the decent conservative types, fleeing the defunct policies of the filthy pinkos they left behind. Not I.
“Paying all cash and or way over asking… agreed the outsiders are being blamed, but how about also blaming all the local Montana folks that are selling their homes at inflated prices to them? It takes two to tango.
I wouldn’t compare Montana to California! That’s like compare salt to pepper for crying out loud. Who gives two sh!t$ what California has, nobody with sense wants to live there. Montana is the BEST place to live! GNP for me. 💙
I understand what you are dealing with in Montana. I’m a native Floridian. We have all the obnoxious Northern snowbirds that we have the pleasure of dealing with for 6 months and also the ones that moved here. I was checking in for a serene break from them on the Montana travel website and ran across the posts. At least you have only one state to deal with try being down here. I work part time as a Bartender and do you know how many times I have to hear that someone is from New York. Like congratulations I don’t care! You’re not getting special treatment because you think you’re special. You voted for nonsense up there don’t come here and ruin my state. Stay strong Montana! I like the way you think.
Gosh hostile much? It’s a free country. I’m not from California thank goodness.
I’m from California and I’m moving there!! And I also don’t care if you like me or not. I don’t like you either!! I’m moving there buying 100 acres so I don’t have to talk to you or see you. Nor will you see or talk to me!! Y’all think we are liberal entitled people. What you don’t understand is that california has almost 40 million people in it. Your state has less people than one city here. California is also mountainous and has good water that runs through them. Some of us are fed us with political crap that we get out voted on. And Yellowstone is an awesome show. But some some of us were raised on animals out of the yard and living on ranches here. Don’t think you guys are the only ones that live rugged lol. Anyway I can’t wait to live there and not see people but once a week to go get supplies from town.
Completely agree. Something to consider, I live between 2 Montana towns and the folks in Livingston are more than welcoming vs. the locals in Whitefish. Not all Montanans dislike outsiders and those that do are probably living with other anger issues. I have never lived my life caring what most others think anyway. We should all remember that we live in one big vast open country and moving around is our right. So for those angry at outsiders, go pull out a yoga mat and relax🙏🏻
What we don’t like is out of staters moving here with their big city aditude driving housing prices up and want to change the flow to fast paced life. I use to be able to look out every direction and see mountains and appreciate the beauty of where I was born and raised. Maybe looking at it from our perspective will help you understand why we don’t want you here. Keep your money and head south
I’m not a Montanian, But after reading your post I would not want you in my state anywhere. Your Cali attitude is showing. I hope you’re do live far from people so that when the grizzly gets your ass no one will hear your screams and no one help you . Just like you say you don’t care neither to the Montanians or the grizzlies!
I’m a life-long Georgia resident. My husband and I are planning to move up to Montana in a year or two. We know how to live off the land and are former military. All we want is to enjoy life in the woods with as little contact with people as possible.
I guess people from montana don’t realize northern Californians and southern garbage are completely different people. Actin all high and mighty cause you’ve lived there your whole life and don’t think any other state lives on farms, and 13 feet deep snow mountains. I ain’t from california but I’ve lived here to help gramps with his farm. I agree the southerners suck, but northerners are good people. Much better than y’all from what I can tell. But this state is too liberal now.
Wow. I thought only ultra liberals could be so hostile and rude. Guess it goes to show it is everywhere.
Not sure why all of can’t just stay in your own state. You all move about knowing damn well that no one wants you there.Yet due to your arrogance of life and you all feel entitled to do what ever you want there no stopping your bullshit to other areas you decide to live.Always the disease you folks are spreading and no one from the place you choose wants it or you.
Vote Joe and his cronies out!! I am on the border of California and Nevada in a small town. All I have to say is that this quaint little town has been invaded by California and of course they have brought all the ugliness from California here. Now I have to move which is bullish.t.
All I can do reading all this is laugh!!!
Native born Louisianan here – like Montana and Florida I agree with states being trashed by people that have no clue what it takes to survive these places – you think your gonna do great with those hundred acres in Montana / Callie transplant- and your right you won’t have to see anyone! How long is it gonna take someone to come to your rescue when a bear or wolves incroch on your property? Or meet you at the front door of your house l- there are more dangers in these places than just people. People raised in these areas understand and have survival knowledge! If I had a nickel for every northerner that came to Louisiana for mardigras I’d be a beyond rich- being raised in the swamp is way different than the city slickers up north. Extreme heat, 90% humidities ,snakes, gators, yes we have bears to, panthers and the mosquitos- Not gonna lie I love it when they have a reality series and drop someone here. They always tap out and realize very quickly this state don’t play😂😂😂. With ya Florida and Montana -oh and to the idiot that talked about Native Americans ancestors from long ago being dead and saying we don’t care – I have that blood in my veins and I do care- the past can’t be undone, but believe me out of all the people on this planet mistreated. The nativie American tribes who where first are top on that list !!!!!!!
Kindness, no matter what, always win. All the negativity towards others indicates you have not looked at your own inner problems. It’s always easier to point out everyone else as the problem. Put a rubber band around your wrist for a month. No complaining for a month and if you find yourself complaining, snap the rubber band. Your life will get better in so many ways if you make it a habit. The ultimate freedom is being responsible for everything in your life. Run through this with scenarios in your life and see that you’ll make better life decisions if you understand this. It takes some deep thinking to understand this. I think people like to be miserable though so this will probably get blown off by most. Yet I wish everyone the best anyway.
I was born and raised in a very small, rural community in Northern California. My ancestors are Maidu and have lived in California for generations. We had a total of five foot of snow in the mountains in which I live. I’m surrounded by pine forests, lakes and rivers. My family still holds dearly to the sacred lands where our ancestors hunted, gathered and lived. We’ve decided long ago that we will never accept the material values that the fake Hollywood Culture is trying to bring into our community. Some of us are staying true to our spirit and the teachings of our forefathers. I’m a California and I love it here! Hopefully our community will stay small. Though property prices are rising and Southern California’s are moving in and taking all the jobs I have hope for that the country life will prevail.
I’ve enjoyed this dialogue. Lots of opinions to consider. Thanks to all who chipped in.
Texan who dreamed of living in Montana since the late 80’s but never made it. (Family obligations)
Now Texas is getting way too crowded for me and the rising crime has helped me persuade my wife that cold winters might not be so bad. (I like em, she doesn’t)
Like to run a few head of beef some goats and a couple of dairy cows, plant hay, cabbage and whatnot…but no big shakes. We’re considering Montana/Wyoming but it’s not set yet.
Also I read somewhere they film the Yellowstone show in Utah.
Californians catch a lot of heat. I moved to Las Vegas in 1991from Colorado. Nevada is a great state in which to live. I enjoy the mild climate (70 ° in December is the norm), no state income tax, and proximity to a number of awesome places to visit. Now back to the Californians. There must be a good half million of them here. Really Las Vegas would not be the world class city it has become without them. Again I relocated so it would make little sense for me to complain about Californians relocating.
I’m a native eastern Oregonian thinking of going Montana way. Californian’s have ruined this state and that’s a fact. Prices on everything driven so high that true Oregonian ‘s are driven out. I’m still trying for Montana or Wyoming but due to what’s being said about the southern calls going up there, what’s the point.