Many buyers came flooding into Montana in summer 2020 spurred by the pandemic. They left the chaos and uncertainty of big cities in search of safe, wide-open spaces and relative affordability. It didn’t hurt that shows like “Yellowstone” portrayed Montana as a badass, beautiful and majestic place. (The Bozeman Daily Chronicle recently ran this story on booming ranch sales in Montana.)
According to the Gallatin Association of Realtors Market Watch, buyer demand was so high this year that the median home price jumped to almost $600,000 and multiple offers were still a common occurrence in October 2020. What I heard from many buyers who came to Montana was they wanted land, mountain views, wildlife and not many people surrounding them. Those things are definitely easy to come by here, but there is so much more to Montana that makes it such a great place to live.
So, what’s it really like to live in Montana?
- It has very friendly people Montana is a place where some businesses still close for lunch, people visit at the post office, and everybody knows your name if you’ve been here long enough.
- It’s not just filled with farmers, cowboys and ranchers Montana has nationally recognized universities, a solid tech presence and an eclectic food, music and art scene. Check out Bozeman, Missoula, Livingston, Butte and Helena.
- It takes a while to get across the state Don’t be surprised if it takes you more than 7 hours to go from Bozeman Hot Springs in Bozeman, Montana to Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs in Saco, Montana.
- It’s full of small, quaint little towns You will feel like you stepped back in time visiting places like Virginia City (pop. 198) or Phillipsburg (pop. 965).
- It’s a place where you really can slow down and enjoy the view And yes, sometimes you might get lucky and see a herd of elk nearby.
If you’re curious about Montana and want to come visit, check out my previous posts on where to stay or contact me at liz@windermere.com.
(Photo: Paramount Network)
No Comments