Bozeman a Desirable Destination Despite the Pandemic

by Liz Nitz
Bozeman a Desirable Destination Despite the Pandemic

Outdoor recreation in Montana. Snowmobile passing bison south of Obsidian Cliff at Yellowstone National Park (Jim Peaco, March 1997)

 

Bozeman continued to be a desirable destination despite the pandemic. While some major cities were shutting down, Bozeman presented a much different picture.

  • Yellowstone National Park saw record numbers of visitors in September and October 2020. Total visitation in 2020 was only down by 5%, and that included the park being completely shutdown for the month of April.
  • Traffic at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) dipped 43.5% in 2020. Nationally, it went down 60.7%.
  • Our airport is the busiest in Montana and it’s getting even busier. In the last year, BZN added new direct flights to Boston, New York, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Nashville, Charlotte, San Diego, Austin and Oakland. And an eighth airline, Sun Country, was recently added with service to Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Industry experts are expecting a pent-up demand for travel this summer. Some new travel trends that have emerged as a result of Covid will continue to highlight Bozeman as a desirable destination.

People Want Rural Areas

  • Bozeman is close to idyllic, rural towns like Ennis, Virginia City, Dillon and West Yellowstone. “In 2020, search data already showed that nearly 90% of overall searches were for trips to rural areas. Cabin rentals are expected to be especially popular, accounting for 33% of total accommodation searches in 2020, a drastic +143% increase from 2019.” (Source: HometoGo)

People Want Outdoor Recreation

  • Hiking, fishing, biking, camping, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling are now the vacation must-dos. Bozeman sits right in the center of two entrances to Yellowstone National Park. The north entrance via Gardiner is just 77 miles away and the west entrance through West Yellowstone is 90 miles away.
  • Locally, we have beautiful Hyalite Canyon, Sypes Canyon, Bear Canyon and plenty of in-town trails courtesy of the Gallatin Valley Land Trust.

People Want Quiet Winter Getaways

  • According to the HometoGo survey, 43% have winter trips already planned for 2021; ski vacations made up 24% of those.
  • Big Sky ski resort is about 45 miles from Bozeman.
  • The local ski hill, Bridger Bowl, is just 16 miles from town.

People Want More Last-Minute Trips

  • Ease of travel and flexibility are key for travelers right now.
  • Bozeman is easy to get to via plane or car. Many direct flights from major cities like San Diego, Phoenix and Seattle takes less than three hours.
  • Montana’s population is small compared to its size, which means plenty of open spaces. Our current Covid regulations are relatively relaxed compared to most major cities.

 

If you’re scoping out Bozeman, check out some of my previous posts about what to expect in Bozeman real estate in 2021; the revitalization of midtown Bozeman; and the mid- and short-term rental market here. Feel free to contact me at liz@windermere.com if you have any questions about Bozeman and its surrounding areas.

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  • Pingback:Billings Emerging Housing Market | Liz Nitz - Bozeman Real Estate Agent
    Posted at 07:52h, 06 May Reply

    […] Bozeman’s housing market saw a flood of new buyers in 2020 and the recent index shows that buyers are extending their searches to emerging housing markets like Billings. If you have any questions about the real estate picture in Bozeman or other towns in Montana, feel free to email me at liz@windermere.com. […]

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4633 Shadowglen, Bozeman, Montana 59718

4633 Shadowglen, Bozeman, Montana 59718

4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
0.17Acre
2,617Sqft
Four bedroom single family home on Bozeman's growing west side. Two stories with a main floor master bedroom. Generous amount of counterspace and storage in the kitchen, gas fireplace in the living room and formal dining room. Upstairs features two bedrooms, bathroom and loft/flex space currently used as an office.
$769,900

203 Wickwire Way, Bozeman, Montana 59718

203 Wickwire Way, Bozeman, Montana 59718

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
0.20Acre
2,067Sqft
Beautiful new construction available for immediate occupancy in Black Bull, just in time for golf season. Located steps from the club's amenities, 203 Wickwire Way provides easy single level living in one of Bozeman's most sought after communities. With 3 bedrooms, 2.
$1,499,000

2489 Andalusian Avenue, Bozeman, Montana 59718

2489 Andalusian Avenue, Bozeman, Montana 59718

4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
0.28Acre
2,770Sqft
Welcome to 2489 Andalusian Ave in the highly sought after Baxter Meadows West Subdivision! This custom home is one of last crafted by renown Bozeman Developer Ed Adamson & Bozeman Building Traditions. This unique green and energy efficient home features two types of solar panels, complete with high efficiency Smart Triangle Tube Boiler System and radiant floor heating.
$1,399,900

29 Hoffman Drive, Bozeman, Montana 59715

29 Hoffman Drive, Bozeman, Montana 59715

4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
0.07Acre
2,568Sqft
Spacious 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom Woodbrook townhome by renowned builder Ken Leclair in an unbeatable location near MSU, Downtown, and Bozeman Health. Enjoy the park-like setting backing to beautiful mature trees and babbling brook from the expansive newly built Trex deck. Main floor open living with vaulted ceilings and massive windows providing tons of natural light.
$749,900

340 Stonegate Drive, Bozeman, Montana 59715

340 Stonegate Drive, Bozeman, Montana 59715

4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
0.96Acre
3,093Sqft
Brand new to market! Welcome to serene Stonegate subdivision tucked into Bozeman's Riverside Golf Course with spacious 1+/- acre lots & stunning mountain views. Abundant windows & natural light envelop elegant 3093 sq ft home with 4 beds & 3 1/2 baths. Main level master en suite boasts a ginormous walk-in closet/dressing room.
$1,500,000

3109 Augusta Drive, Bozeman, Montana 59715

3109 Augusta Drive, Bozeman, Montana 59715

4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
0.29Acre
3,005Sqft
Beautiful home on the 14th fairway of the Bridger Creek Golf Course. "Big" unobstructed views of the Bridger Mountain Range. This home features 2 master suites, one with a walk-in closet big enough to make into another bedroom! Great room concept with corner river rock gas fireplace, large kitchen featuring cherry cabinetry, granite counters, butcher block island and a nice gas range.
$1,050,000

1418 Cherry Drive, Bozeman, Montana 59715

1418 Cherry Drive, Bozeman, Montana 59715

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
0.21Acre
2,523Sqft
This well maintained ranch style home backing to the Hyalite View Park is ideally located within close proximity to downtown Bozeman, Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, and Montana State University. The trail system runs right past the back door for hiking and biking opportunities as well. The two levels of this home afford separate bedroom/living areas for guests or roommates .
$825,000

280 Eagle Creek, Bozeman, Montana 59718

280 Eagle Creek, Bozeman, Montana 59718

3Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
2,182Sqft
This spacious 2-level Cottonwood Condo is ideally situated in the ever-growing West-End of Bozeman. Within walking distance to restaurants, coffee shops, trails, and workout facilities. Natural light floods the main level with an open concept floorplan with warm, oak flooring throughout the ENTIRE condo (helpful for those with allergies).
$720,000

315 N Tracy Avenue 508, Bozeman, Montana 59715

315 N Tracy Avenue 508, Bozeman, Montana 59715

2Bedroom(s)
1,418Sqft
The Henry is a proposed 6-story, luxury residential for sale development in the heart of downtown Bozeman, Montana. Totaling 44 condominiums, the project is 3 blocks from Main Street at the southwest corner of Tracy Avenue and Villard Street. The Henry is positioned to be the most sought-after residential property in Bozeman, given its location, amenities, design and views.
$1,554,000
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