Help from those who know? (Billings, Custer: lease, crime, home)

[WLeonardAthas]

I have lived in Broward County, Florida (Ft. Lauderdale area) for the past 18 years. I am originally from Maryland but left in 1986. I lived in Western Maryland in the early 1970's for three years, in what we called mountains, (foothills to the Western folks) and lived and loved the experience.
Florida has been great, and I have no complaints about the state, the fishing and my many friends that I have made and most of which are now gone, I especially love the weather, but I like snow and change of seasons as well. The fishing and limited hunting here is great and Iam not bitter. I am simply being run out of here by the caliber, personality, rudeness and total disrespect of those who now overwhelm Florida from everywhere on the globe within and without the United States. Broward County is 1,205 sq miles and has a population of 1,777,638 people as of the 2005 census estimate. The crime is horrible, we had three bank robberies in Broward County last week. I live near Ft. Lauderdale and work in Miami which is worse 1.5 hours to drive 25 miles. Well you get the picture.
Anyway, your beautiful state is quite an attraction to someone who is burned out with not-so-nice people and I would like to know if anyone could share some information concerning life in the areas of Powder River, Custer and Rosebud Counties.
I have located some interesting property offers on-line in those area and there is not an overwhelming amount of information available that I have found concerning those areas. I assume it is very rural by the county oppulation density facts, but I need some inside information that only one who has "local knowledge" can provide. What is the topography and quality of the hunting opportunities that lie therein. What is the central and eastern areas of Montana really like to live in. My good friend left Broward County, Florida, last year for similar reasons and moved to Park County, WY, but the photos that he sent, while very scenic and I am sure represent a wonderful life style, are a bit too flat and barren for me, at lease where he lives and where property is available. He and his wife have repeatedly invivted myself and my wife out with the offer to use his place as a base. He lives in WY 70 miles from Billings. I looking for parcel of land from 20 to 200 acres with trees and some rolling hills or mountains. I am retiring with a decent pension, have equity in my Florida home and employment will not be necessary to live, just for additional toys. My wife really wants some scenery, but maybe the areas I am anticipating are not realistic. Thank each of you in advance for your kind attention to this request. /s/ Your humble wannabe montanian

[MTer]

Originally Posted by WLeonardAthas

... I looking for parcel of land from 20 to 200 acres with trees and some rolling hills or mountains...

Central and eastern Montana are relatively flat. If you want mountains, you need to look in the western part of the state. Or south central, i.e., north of Yellowstone (which is mostly in WY).

Also in general, you'll pay more per acre for forested, mountain acres. The big exception is if those acres are not accessible year-round, so be sure to check into accessibility when you property search in Montana.

Get ahold of an atlas (online or your library, etc.) that has landform maps and you'll see this.