Checking out Montana

[grizzfan]

Analysis opines:

The thing about Montanans is we don't worry if our neighbor is a liberal.

Right. That's why I don't live in the University area, up the Rattlesnake or in general travel North of the river. The liberal-commie-pinko-swine are like cockroaches in those places.

[rickers]

Originally Posted by Analysis

The thing about Montanans is we don't worry if our neighbor is a liberal.

I certainly don't like it when liberals start dominating a region, the very next thing that happens is property prices go through the roof as well as taxes. I'm very happy to live in a very conservative area where I can still afford to buy property.

[Analysis]

Originally Posted by rickers

I certainly don't like it when liberals start dominating a region, the very next thing that happens is property prices go through the roof as well as taxes. I'm very happy to live in a very conservative area where I can still afford to buy property.

That's interesting and you are probably right. I wonder why that is?

[Analysis]

Originally Posted by grizzfan

Analysis opines:

Right. That's why I don't live in the University area, up the Rattlesnake or in general travel North of the river. The liberal-commie-pinko-swine are like cockroaches in those places.

But you are a Grizz fan? How can that be. I thought all Grizz fans were liberals. LOL.

[Timberwolf232]

Originally Posted by Analysis

That's interesting and you are probably right. I wonder why that is?

Seems to me like out of state liberals like to demand services and threaten to sue (or whine to death) anyone who disagrees with their wants, whereas most small town Montanans like to take care of their own business and have more of a "The more I take care of myself, the less I'll have to pay in taxes." attitude.

Just my view of all of the "change" we've had to endure over the last 10 years. It's getting old.

[Fodderman]

Originally Posted by Timberwolf232

Seems to me like out of state liberals like to demand services and threaten to sue (or whine to death) anyone who disagrees with their wants, whereas most small town Montanans like to take care of their own business and have more of a "The more I take care of myself, the less I'll have to pay in taxes." attitude.

I'd agree with that and add that "The more I take care of myself, the less anyone else can hold over me". As soon as one asks another (especially what that "other" is a government agency) to do for them, they give that entity a certain amount of power over themselves. Some people (libs?) actually seem to prefer having other people make their decisions and live their lives for them. I'd say most Montanans don't.

[Bede]

Hi to all - I have been on an offline hiatus - Things happen as they will and so it seems that a move across the country is not in the cards for us this year. But it remains in our dreams. I wanted to thank you all for your helpful replies and to clarify a few things. In regards to "water costs", what I was referring to was info from realtors and and well digger - land with water is out of site (creek, irrigation ditch) and to dig a well you're looking at $50,000 because of how deep you have to go. Quite a shock for us yankee dudes. Thank you for the info on water/rain etc in Montana vs Wy - Montana does seem better in that regard. I guess that's why the wagons trains mostly went THRU Wyoming! Lastly, regarding the political issues - we also like to keep to ourselves but believe it is important to understand the local political leanings of an area before moving and avoid buyer's remorse in the forms of taxes and unwanted fluff (case in point the once great state of Vermont, and the many struggling, about to go under counties of New York). I got my elections data from Dave Leip's Atlas of US Presendential Elections (Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections). It has the traditional Blue/Red colors switched for some reason. It does show several Montana counties going for O which surprised me but it was helpful. The west in general seems more free than the east and is still a yearning for us. It calls to mind my new favorite quote: "God created our rights, the Declaration defined them, and OC preserves them". Best wishes to you all.

[gaduchman]

Bigfork used to be this nice little town on the lake when we lived there, but more recently it's hosted the kayak conventions, birkenstock wearers with socks no less and a bunch of libs sporting Obama stickers on their BMW's with Kali plates. Another nice town down the tubes - might as well be in Bozeman with all the Hollywood types and Ted Turner bunch.

Tho we had a seasonal creek on the property our well was drilled to 280ft at the cost of $11,000 including the pump, 800-gal cistern and pressure pump into the house. I can imagine it has gone up since then ('99).

The well in Wyoming was nearly as deep, but the water was cleaner (no green water or sulphur smell) and cost less including all the accessories - $8,250 (2003)

As much as we lived both states - I can honestly say I wouldn't go back to Wyoming for nothing! All our friends - who we grew up with have left. If you're not in the oil or mineral biz, there's nothing left - cattle and grain markets are almost gone and it's tourism that's taken over.

Montana is where I'll retire to in a few years, or when I get enough money to move back. Way up along the border someplace - lots of trees - no neighbors.

[mtlogger]

Originally Posted by gaduchman

Bigfork used to be this nice little town on the lake when we lived there, but more recently it's hosted the kayak conventions, birkenstock wearers with socks no less and a bunch of libs sporting Obama stickers on their BMW's with Kali plates. Another nice town down the tubes - might as well be in Bozeman with all the Hollywood types and Ted Turner bunch.

I hear ya brother - that's why I'm in the mountain range east of the Swan
almost into the upper Hungry Horse.

Tho we had a seasonal creek on the property our well was drilled to 280ft at the cost of $11,000 including the pump, 800-gal cistern and pressure pump into the house. I can imagine it has gone up since then ('99).

I was quoted last month $85/ft complete - that's robbery!

Montana is where I'll retire to in a few years, or when I get enough money to move back. Way up along the border someplace - lots of trees - no neighbors.

I've got a spot picked out - I'll pm you the location. And there's room to roam.

[gaduchman]

Thanks Matt - I worked up there for a while and thought it would be a great place to build a cave.