moving to montana (Great Falls, Helena, Hamilton: real estate, houses, to buy)

[jess.m.86]

My family has been considering moving to Montana, we have 3 small children and are very avid hunters. We have been looking into the western side. If I can get any ideas it would be great. Thanks

[NW Crow]

More details could help guide suggestions.

Can you and do you want to live in or near a town under 2,000 population or want one between 2-5,000, 5-10,000, over 10,000 or way over 10,000?

If looking to buy property, what price range would you be you looking at?

What kinda game is of most interest?

Anything else besides good hunting a priority?

[jess.m.86]

We would like under 2000 in population, also looking for land under $200,000, we like to hunt any big game: elk, deer, moose, bear, mountain lion, we like fishing also

[rambrush]

A lot of country can fit your needs. From Butte over to Anaconda Georgetown lake on down to Wisdom and also in the Bitteroot valley.
As I have mentioned before in other threads you really need a road trip to take a look for your self.
Put together a game plan of what you are looking for search all newspapers and all realtors website listings.
before driving to visit. What you see on black and white paper might not be what is really on the ground.

[NW Crow]

I'd mention these possibilities (all under 2,000 population, near wild country and with real estate prices probably not as crazy as some other more high profile places, though some of these may be pricier than others):

Eureka (on Hwy 93 near the Canadian border)

Trout Creek - Thompson Falls - Plains (on Hwy 200 west of Flathead Reservation)

Lincoln (on Hwy 200 NW of Helena)

Troy (on Hwy 2 west of Libby)

Darby (on Hwy 93 south of Hamilton)

Sheridan (on Hwy 287 SW of Butte)

Boulder (NE of Butte on I-15)

Philipsburg (on Hwy 1 NW of Butte)

Choteau - Augusta (west of Great Falls)

White Sulphur Springs (Hwy 89 east of Helena)


Maybe others can comment on which has the best hunting opportunities given your interests or give more thoughts about some of these towns.

[NDak15]

I think the nicest part of Montana is the southwest part of the state, especially the area around Yellowstone. There are plenty of little towns around there that might suit your liking. One that I think is nice is Big Timber. It is a little more out on the plains but you are not too far from the Crazy Mountains. I have hunted deer and antelope around that area and I am told there are plenty of elk and black bears, but haven't pursued them there. I also think the people there are some of the most genuine. What jobs are you looking for? One thing to keep in mind is that wages are low and in many places, especially in the more scenic western third of the state it does not keep up with the cost of living which is pretty high in several areas. As far as cost of land I really couldn't tell you too much.

[Forummer]

Property prices are stupid crazy high, even in this economy. Hopefully you have a job to come into or you will likely have issues competing against the locals, and given the economic climate right now, it's tougher than normal.

[Jbechtel]

Originally Posted by Forummer

Property prices are stupid crazy high, even in this economy. Hopefully you have a job to come into or you will likely have issues competing against the locals, and given the economic climate right now, it's tougher than normal.

I agree. I've just looked at a couple of real estate sites for Montana and it seems like people are going to be asking pre-recession prices for their properties this summer for the first time again in the western part.

Yahoo's been reporting pockets of the country where 'bubbles' are forming where the demand is outpacing houses built already. No mention of Montana yet.

[elkeater]

West Yellowstone provides easy access to Elk hunting. I live here and have shot several elk within a mile of my home. Deer hunting is also great in the madison valley. Hebgen lake is great for hunting Goose and Duck!!! Fishing is awesome also. Gotta go rotate the elk jerky in the smoker!

[dread_siren]

Originally Posted by NW Crow

Troy (on Hwy 2 west of Libby)

not to be a jerk and burst any bubbles, but towns this size are not very nice to out-of-staters, have no jobs, high drug use/traffic, almost no housing and get snow over 5 ft... the big question you'll get asked is why did you move here if you aren't connected to anyone.

on the good side of things would be the out doors in the 4-5 mos it is accessible

references: troy native, reason for staying... I love my home and couldn't afford to relocate if I tried.