Where to live in MT (Glasgow, Conrad: to rent, house, taxes)

[AQHA]

Originally Posted by offgridmontana

Most anywhere out of town and away from civilization. The worst that happens in my neck of the woods are drunk teens and they attract the sheriff to a place called the "Mushroom Rock". Ask most anyone in Helena, they'll know what you're talking about. Once up at "Rock Central", years ago, it doesn't really matter anymore...

Meanwhile in town: helenair.com

Are you getting pine beetles up your way Offgrid?

[Searching for Home]

Looking for a great getaway for my 20 year anniversary with my husband. We live in Southern California and want a 3-4 day trip just prior to Christmas 2009. We love the snow and cold, but also a little nightlife. We don't ski, but would hike or snow mobile.
Anything romantic and not too far (I am thinking of Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming) We want a great place to stay and are flexible from a cabin in the woods to a classy hotel...

[mtboy]

Originally Posted by Searching for Home

Looking for a great getaway for my 20 year anniversary with my husband. We live in Southern California and want a 3-4 day trip just prior to Christmas 2009. We love the snow and cold, but also a little nightlife. We don't ski, but would hike or snow mobile.
Anything romantic and not too far (I am thinking of Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming) We want a great place to stay and are flexible from a cabin in the woods to a classy hotel...

Try Cooke City, you will have to drive to it via Gardnier MT and thru the park but it would be a great spot to go snowmobiling and staying for a couple days around that time. IMO

[countryway]

what about Hamilton? Nobody has mentioned that. Is it becoming pretty modern and up-paced? Would it fit what I was talking about?

[mtlogger]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Searching for Home
Looking for a great getaway for my 20 year anniversary with my husband. We live in Southern California and want a 3-4 day trip just prior to Christmas 2009. We love the snow and cold, but also a little nightlife. We don't ski, but would hike or snow mobile.
Anything romantic and not too far (I am thinking of Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming) We want a great place to stay and are flexible from a cabin in the woods to a classy hotel...

Then you should go to Jackson Hole, WY

[904jax]

Lewistown would be a good choice for an “authentic” Montana town and experience. Lewistown is surrounded by small mountain ranges in the heart of Montana.

With regards to people, Montanans are often stereotyped as having “down home” “Merryberry” attitudes. The reality is independence, self reliance, and a strong work ethic characterize Montanans rather “friendliness.”

The verbiage “ways-changing” used by the first poster is characteristic of a Southerner rather than a Montanan. Montana has always been “progressive.” For example, the first woman elected to Congress, Jeannette Rankin, was from Montana. Ms. Rankin also voted against entering into both World Wars.

Senator Jon Tester is good modern example of a Montanan in terms of attitude and values. Montanans are often more progressive than the “out of staters” referenced in the first post, they just don't fit the stereotype, because they may drive a pickup and work on a ranch.

[Fodderman]

Originally Posted by countryway

what about Hamilton? Nobody has mentioned that. Is it becoming pretty modern and up-paced? Would it fit what I was talking about?

Hamilton's a really nice place though with really nice people (the locals anyway). Definitely worth a visit. Stevensville - a bit North of Hamilton - probably fits what you were talking about more than Hamilton though.

[Jbechtel]

I know a lot of people on this site look for 'authentic' or 'friendly' type of towns to want to live in but I would caution you on that. It reminds me of the Prisoner with Patrick McGoohan, the old British TV series from the '60's. It definately was the the most friendly and authentic town I've ever run across but it had real minuses. For one thing, you could never leave it, and the surveilance on everyone was pathetic. You can learn a lot from science fiction. But anyway, the friendliest town I ever lived in was Scottsdale, Az., but I learned quickly it was because nearly everyone was on drugs. I still like a town where people are hard working and have 'some' time to be friendly. Remember, friendliness and phoniness sit side by side in our culture today. It's what a town is born with and what it does with it that's important, without changing the character too much. To find places like this takes time. We're a generation that doesn't even know what authentic food tastes like anymore, let alone authentic towns. I find Philipsburg fits the bill for me. Good luck.

[montanadeeanna]

Central Montana is a great place for the down to earth country person. I live about and hour east of Great Falls. The neighbors have literally taken me in, we have to be able to rely on each other, especially in the winter, because there is no one else to help otherwise. Everyone is very good about letting me ride my horses anywhere (as long as the gates get shut)! I can ride to beautiful mountains, resevoirs, rolling hills. See antelope, deer, coyote, fox, etc. almost daily.

[montanadeeanna]

I lived there right before I moved to Great Falls area.....fought leaving tooth and nail! It is a beautiful area, a lot of nice people, both those that have moved in and those that have been there a while. Pretty easy to get accepted if you're from somewhere else. Still great places that you can get out with horses and just ride both sides of the valley. I would not call it "real, or authentic" Montana. It really is a creature of it's own. Lots of fun stuff to do, flea markets and etc. Large influx of people with lots of money and large group of people with no money. You better bring your money bags if you want to live there, not much for employment!