Howdy :)

[rangerider]

Most folks I talk with who have recently moved here cite distances and cold as being the chief concerns. Most of our state has a fairly dry climate, but we have a pile of microclimates to contend with. We've got everything from rain forest to arid high plains here, and all of this is separated by some long drives.

The west side of the divide is generally more populated and has more towns, the east cheaper to live and less populous. The eastern part of the state will give you more of the "high desert" feel, open plains and rocky areas, some timber here and there. If you really want to get away from it all, the eastern half of the state will afford you way more privacy without all the buttinskis that we enjoy in the mountains. If you want the privacy and the mountains, head for the Yaak. Haven't been up there for awhile, but you could probably find a CD member that lives in that area for advice.

You might also check out the Musselshell Valley and vicinity. Fairly quiet, and a nice mix of terrain and towns. Billings is not too far off if you have the hankering for a bit of city life. You get outside of Roundup and off in the hills I guarantee you'll have a nice view of the stars.

We have a fair mix of people living here, and I think you'll find most are fairly agreeable. It might take a little while 'till they warm up, but if you aren't opposed to lending a helping hand here and there it won't take long, and most everyone I know doesn't mind having LE living nearby, retired or not. Just so you know, we like our gun shows and shooting, hunting, and the like tend to be family affairs more often than not. A lot of us pack a sidearm and/or a rifle for a variety of reasons - but view them more as just another tool of living here. If you would rather see civilians unarmed, there might be better places to be.

I imagine you've had some exposure to cold in CT; ours is somewhat drier which makes the below zero stuff easier to bear. We get a fair bit of sun most of the winter, the exception being the far west and northwest parts of the state. Some areas have a lot of wind with below zero cold, and that'll test your mettle in short order. Generally, winters are fairly long which can be a test of will some places, but there's a lot to do in the winter if you're in the mountains and enjoy skiing, snowshoeing and the like. It's said that we have nine months of winter and three months of poor skiing - some years that hasn't been all that far from the truth, but generally it's not quite that bad. What we do have is an amazing array of weather, but then again we have a big state (apologies to AK, CA,and TX readers lurking, if any).

Sounds like you've got awhile before you decide on a move, so come on out and spend some time. Obviously warm months are best, kind of touristy some places, but post ahead where you're thinking of visiting and we can point you towards some of the more worthwhile sights.

[bigtrees]

Originally Posted by rangerider

We've got everything from rain forest to arid high plains here, and all of this is separated by some long drives.

Where's the rain forest? That's a new one to me....

Closest thing I can imagine is the trail of the cedars in Glacier Park near avalance gorge...very beautiful, and the most eastern location that Western Red Cedar grow natively.

[rickers]

Ross creek cedar area reminds me of the Olympic peninsula, Cedars huge ! Ferns all over. Very rain forest like. On the other hand I just took some pics in north central Mt. of some yucca plants and prickly pear cactus. One thing that may surprise many visiting Mt. is all the seagulls and pelicans here.

View this photo link as a slide-show, mo betta !


Picasa Web Albums - Rick - misc.

[Timberwolf232]

Originally Posted by fbcobrn

*Snip*

Now they are trying to pass a "NO-SPANKING" law for under-3's...ever tried to reason with a toddler???? NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have to be kidding!?! That's all California needs is more little spoiled brats running around, and growing up to turn into more big little spoiled brats! We need to set up a relocation interview process to weed out the wacko Californians and just take the good ones! It would be a win win deal both for Montanans and for good Californians trying to find a better place!

[rickers]

Now wait a minute ! A little spanking never hurt anyone, as a matter of fact my wife doesn't mind at all ! Oh !, I'm sorry I thought you said the law was for over 30 ! (just joking)
I guess them Californians just Don't know how to spank properly. And the inbreeding !
That's another subject. You know Californians have a big problem with that too ! Some times I think that in some Montana towns the old time native locals should be welcoming folks from California.

[Radek]

Originally Posted by Timberwolf232

You have to be kidding!?! That's all California needs is more little spoiled brats running around, and growing up to turn into more big little spoiled brats! We need to set up a relocation interview process to weed out the wacko Californians and just take the good ones! It would be a win win deal both for Montanans and for good Californians trying to find a better place!

hahaha.

I can just imagine that panel.

"So. If you were to move in Montana, and your neighbor was smoking a cigarette, what would you do?"

Im surprised people have the wherewithal to assume that they can tell other people what to do on a general level.

[Timberwolf232]

Originally Posted by Radek

hahaha.

I can just imagine that panel.

"So. If you were to move in Montana, and your neighbor was smoking a cigarette, what would you do?"

Im surprised people have the wherewithal to assume that they can tell other people what to do on a general level.

Especially in this day and age. Billionaires have gone bankrupt and the aspiring poor have become billionaires. Influence surely comes and goes with the financial (which is sometimes necessary) means. It is sad however that people compromise in order to keep up.
You would thing that folks would stop trying to regulate what everyone else does and pay more attention to what they (we) do individually.

I agree with rickers, in a different thread he talked about how things like fishing can ease the soul (in different words). I agree, when we are tense and stressed it's a good thing to take some time and go fish, or hike, or ski... whatever it takes to ease the soul.

In my opinion we are all born with the same potential, so I don't respect people based on their monetary class or celebrities and the like, but I do respect the work that people do for others, general goodness and of course all of my brothers in arms.

The balance has shifted fairly dramatically here in the US, but I'm a believer that there is good in all of us and when things get hard, most people (at least around here) are willing to pitch in and give a hand.

[rangerider]

Originally Posted by bigtrees

Where's the rain forest? That's a new one to me....

Closest thing I can imagine is the trail of the cedars in Glacier Park near avalance gorge...very beautiful, and the most eastern location that Western Red Cedar grow natively.

Sorry to be so long getting back to you; this business of working for a living sure cuts into my spare time...

You've got it - Glacier National Park and vicinity contain nice examples of temperate rain forest, and there are more areas in the extreme northwestern part of the state about where it borders Canada. I was a sawyer for a period of time in the 80s and we got into grown-up burnover that was not exactly Olympic Peninsula type rain forest, but did fit the bill for temperate rain forest. There are also very tiny microclimates scattered in the mountains (mostly on the east and north slopes) that receive a lot of moisture compared to the surrounding area - they have species of plants adapted to much wetter conditions and are very mossy and full of heavy growth. Two mountain ranges near to me, the Crazies and the Bitterroots, have these small pockets and exhibit different species. I also saw areas in the Swan and Mission ranges, too.