The Montanan's problem with outsiders moving in.. (Circle: movies, salaries)

[ElkHunter]

Can you shovel snow? Do you like to drink a beer? Can you help out a neighbor? You might fit right in. haha

[jimj]

Originally Posted by Brandon Hoffman

So how out of place would a friendly, open minded Southerner from a small town in South Carolina who doesn't like extreme cold or snow but is fairly adaptable be in Montana? How would locals treat me in general if I can get along with most anyone? I know it sounds stupid but that's a serious question.

I don't know if we really need anymore realtors Brandon, especially the smooth talking southern kind! Besides y'all might pollute the food pool here with that southern cooking...
Seriously though, small town is small town anywhere, if you're already in one then you know how it works. Load up the wagon, come for a visit and see if it sticks with you. My son's all time favorite teacher is from Alabama and is well loved by all the students and parents so "southern" is not a detrement.

[tiyoo]

Are you people kidding me? I live in Austin, Tx...I moved to Glendive, Montana for 1 year and almost went crazy...why people would want to move to Montana in the first place I have no clue. There is nothing in Eastern Montana...western montana is different...but from my understanding half of montana is dying and half is barely growing. I went to Bozeman and other places...if you guys think you have bad with the Californians then you have obviously never been to Texas...Texas' population grows at a much faster rate than Montana so please stop bitching...Montana is a beautiful state but I would never want to live there...the only people who live there are Unibombers and people who dont want to be found...

[tiyoo]

On a different note...Montana is very similiar to Texas just not as populated...lots of good beer, lots of great people, which makes me wonder why you guys are bitching hardcore about people moving in...I never had a problem with anyone in Montana...I got jumped by a couple of Native Americans in Wolf Point...but that was the only bad experience I had...When I moved to Glendive it was like I was a rock star...I was getting tail left and right...

[Reziac]

Originally Posted by Brandon Hoffman

So how out of place would a friendly, open minded Southerner from a small town in South Carolina who doesn't like extreme cold or snow but is fairly adaptable be in Montana? How would locals treat me in general if I can get along with most anyone? I know it sounds stupid but that's a serious question.

As someone else said, realtors are already oversupplied in MT, but most realtors had a Real Job before that and could hold one down again. Old southern values (friendly, helpful, polite. minding your own business and not mine) should fit right in, tho. As to MT's winter weather, think Vermont, or upstate New York, interspersed with bouts of spring thaw even in midwinter (complete with minor street flooding), and when there is snow, colder than VT but not as lasting.

[ROOKUS]

Originally Posted by Reziac

As to MT's winter weather, think Vermont, or upstate New York, interspersed with bouts of spring thaw even in midwinter (complete with minor street flooding), and when there is snow, colder than VT but not as lasting.

That's great to know. I have been trying to get a frame of reference on the winters, and since I went to college in VT, I've spent some time there in the middle of January.....

It was cold, very cold, actually, but gorgeous with the snow, and I didn't think I was going to freeze to death.

We can't wait to get there! One month from tomorrow, we'll be pulling up to our new place.

[*CountryGirl*]

You know fitting into a new town has a lot to do with the attitude you have going in. If you want to move somewhere and start changing things then don't be suprised if you do not feel very welcome. You may want to ask yourself why you chose to move there in the first place. If you want someplace to be like where you used to live then why leave?

Montana is a beautiful state. Don't change a thing. There are enough homes for sale to pick from, no need to build it up. We actually considered a move there but with ailing family members we thought best to stay put for now. I was disappointed but family is a priority.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

Can you shovel snow? Do you like to drink a beer? Can you help out a neighbor? You might fit right in. haha

I've never shoveled much snow but I can help drink a neighbors beer.

[rickers]

Anyone who would make a stupid comment such as "The only people who live there are unibombers and people who don't want to be found" Doesn't know jack$hit about this state or the fine folks who live here. What an ignorant statement. The newby called tiyoo owes all Montanans an apology. What a troll !

[Tinkerbelle]

Originally Posted by *CountryGirl*

You know fitting into a new town has a lot to do with the attitude you have going in. If you want to move somewhere and start changing things then don't be suprised if you do not feel very welcome. You may want to ask yourself why you chose to move there in the first place. If you want someplace to be like where you used to live then why leave?

Montana is a beautiful state. Don't change a thing. There are enough homes for sale to pick from, no need to build it up. We actually considered a move there but with ailing family members we thought best to stay put for now. I was disappointed but family is a priority.

Great post. There are some of us though that are totally misplaced where we live. We have no problem with small towns or winter weather, (raised in Northern Alberta, hubby raised in Southern Manitoba). Looking for a small town for what they offer, to us the city offers us little, nor our kids. I agree everyone needs to know their comfort level.