Moving back to Montana and I'm worried (Missoula, Bozeman: health insurance, purchase)

[cominghome68]

So, my family moved to Troy when I was in high school, got married directly after and lived in Noxon for several years. Moved to Missoula, then the Army, then back to Missoula (which I did not like... too much city for me). So then life happened and moved away, all around the country and most recently Indiana where I've lived for the past 7 years. All in all I've probably lived about a combined total of 9 years or so in Montana and the rest just about everywhere else (I'm 51 now). So last year, I finally was able to purchase 7 acres of undeveloped land in the Eureka area. I'm currently in Indiana but planning the move to MT for next Spring (cuz we all know not to move to NW MT in the Fall if you aren't ready for winter).. So I guess my question is, or my concern really, is that maybe my idealized remembrance of Montana in the mid 80's, has changed too drastically for me recognize her as she is today? It's a little late I guess since the property is already purchased but just looking for some local insight into what has changed drastically between 1985 and now? Thanks all.

[historyfan]

Little Montana towns like Eureka have probably changed a lot to the people that live there, but truly much has stayed the same. I am not familiar with Eureka other than I think it looks like a sweet area to live in. Missoula & Kalispell have just spread out more. Kalispell has changed the most with the addition of the usual strip of national box stores. But it does now have a Costco, which is handy for rural grocery shoppers who like to stock up.

[MTSilvertip]

The sawmill have closed and the economy that was so dependant on logging has suffered.

There's still a lot of good people there. Fishing and hunting are fabulous, the country is beyond beautiful, wildlife is everywhere, as long as you have an income, it's a little slice of heaven on earth.

Won't see any brownshirts rioting in Eureka, too many grizzly bear to feed.

[cominghome68]

Thanks for the response. I can't imagine people have changed too much, or at least I hope not. I'm conservative libertarian (if that's even a thing) and part of my worry is that some of the "live and let live" attitude that I like so much will have changed. With the recent events and riots and such, I am really longing to get away from all these people acting like fools and get back to what I remember of Montana.

[Cody01]

Eureka is a neat area but rather remote. I went through that area in the winter time and its pretty dark and cloudy a lot of the time. Are you retired early or ? Your age is a tough age to show up in a small town and get a decent job woth health care.

[MacInTx]

Originally Posted by MTSilvertip

Won't see any brownshirts rioting in Eureka, too many grizzly bear to feed.

I love this "brownshirts" quote. Tried to rep but was denied.

[KNPV PSD]

Nothing stays the same. Nothing.


If you go back with an open mind and accept things the way they are, you will likely be quite happy. IMO if you lament for "how it was" or expect it to always be that way, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.


I will wager everything will be just fine and your memories of back then will live right alongside all the new memories you make.

[cominghome68]

Originally Posted by Cody01

Eureka is a neat area but rather remote. I went through that area in the winter time and its pretty dark and cloudy a lot of the time. Are you retired early or ? Your age is a tough age to show up in a small town and get a decent job woth health care.

Remote is actually part of the appeal for me. I am not retired but I have my own health insurance through my military service so that isn't really a concern. It's more of a concern that health services would be a bit of a drive if I need them but as of now, I don't. No medications and no health problems at all... probably on borrowed time in that regard but its something I've defiantly considered.

[cominghome68]

Originally Posted by MTSilvertip

Won't see any brownshirts rioting in Eureka, too many grizzly bear to feed.

I'm excited about the lack of brownshirts. LOL!

[MTSilvertip]

Originally Posted by cominghome68

I'm excited about the lack of brownshirts. LOL!

Not a lot of patience with that kind of crap in Eureka, have to go to Missoula for that kind of idiocy.

Live and let live, you do your thing and I'll do mine are pretty much still the way of life in much of Montana away from places like Bozeman and Missoula which are college towns and their "wokeness" pretty much ends at city limits.

Most of the state is still comprised of good, solid, moral people that will go out of their way to help you.
Just be a good neighbor, respect them and our way of life, be friendly and offer assistance when your neighbors need it, you'll do fine here.

It helps to remember that Montana is a small community connected by very long streets.