Where In Montana, Please?? (Paradise: for sale, crime, house)

[Canine*Castle]

I've lived in Texas for almost 30 years and am originally from southern California. I am looking to relocate but haven't a clue really where that shall be. I know nothing about Montana and have scoped the internet but nothing really gives information as well as the people living in an area. Well, that's usually the case anyway. Many Texans think Texas is Paradise, but I don't feel that way at all. Here is what I'm looking for:

. not too much snow

. no drastically severe weather including heat, tornadoes, flooding, or blizzards

. pretty scenery, preferably mountains (not much into desert scenery unless it's gorgeous)

. short summers (I can't take this Texas heat and humidity anymore).

. prefer warm (not hot or humid) to cold (50 degrees all year round would suit me and to some that is very cold; no hotter than 80 degrees would also be grand) I know that is not to be found in Montana, but I'm kind of giving one the idea of what I consider cold and hot.

. low population and not apt to grow

. clean small town nearby

. 3 to 5 acres with a modest home around $125,000 (That's probably the deal killer right there).

. no religious worries ~ I'm Baptist and prefer to live and let live.

I have already checked out crime statistics overall in the state, and along with Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming, Montana looks pretty good.

Any information would be appreciated.

[michael11747]

well yea you're right, 125k won't buy you a decent house with a view of the mountains near a small town. double that price and we're talking. what you might consider is belgrade in the gallatin valley. you can find a small fixer upper, closer to the airport with everything you listed, except the price and lot size. you would be looking at around 150k, not far off. or check out whitehall. i would not suggest living in town. it is a bit run down, and housing prices are in the range you are looking for. you might want to check out the town before you move to this one though, an acquired taste. deer lodge will have a home in that price range as well as butte, but remember, there are reasons for this. employment (or lack thereof) in deer lodge and environmental hazards in butte. libby would have a home in this price range or even less, but do your research on libby first... environmental reasons are the reason prices are low in libby as well. i am just going to stop suggesting hazardous areas to live even though most are safe now. ennis MIGHT have a house in town on a tiny city lot for sale for about 175k. i'm racking my brain here, but this is what you can expect:

a town with 5000 or less people, with a distant view (at best) of the mountains, no jobs, run down house, and maybe a hazard either from meth or environmental issues. this is for 5 acres at 125k with a house. montana is not a cheap place to live. religion is never a problem here, unless you are close to one of the polygamist communities out west hidden in the mountains. they are the only ones who i have seen or heard of being aggressive towards outsiders. another option for you: ponderosa pines in gallatin valley (research three forks on realtor.com and the cheapest 20 acres on there with a house is most definately in ponderosa pines). this is the deal here, the area is teeming with freemen, homesteaders, and just plain crazy folk. your land will most likely have an easment straight through the center, and the boundaries might not be clearly defined, water is deep, it is rugged, and way out there, but you will be able to find a shack out there on 20 acres for the price you are looking for. only hardy folk can live out there year round. but BEWARE, the prices out there have not appreciated at all, while the rest of the valley has tripled in price in the past 20 years. but the view is great... i know the family who used to own all of that land. they sold it to a developer, who did a terrible job surveying, and setting covenants in place, and what happens? a beautiful few thousand acres with trailers, shacks, garbage, and land boundary disputes took hold, and because of this the area will never be worth that much, and resell will probably have you losing money. not a good investment in my opinion. mike.

here is an idea of the road which leads into the hills:



here is the nicest "shack" in the area:

[Canine*Castle]

Yikes, that doesn't sound promising at all or inviting in the least. I do appreciate your truthfulness and taking the time to "fill me in." I very much appreciate it.

[mrmcfly]

Is it me or is that "shack" about to collapse?

[rickers]

You might want to check out West Virginia. They can get floods and humidity but the prices are still good. You can still get good deals in eastern Montana but you pay dearly by having extreme weather and a severe lack of amenities. One thing I like about Montana is that I haven't seen a flea, chigger or a cockroach here ever !

[michael11747]

haha, that shack was actually burned down by a freeman, whose name escapes me right now. he almost burned down the town of clarkston. the police won't go out there to arrest him from what i hear from local bartenders.