Montana has a considerably low population density, and it’s also a very beautiful place. If you’ve seen it in movies or on postcards, this is something that you don’t even need to be told. It may be part of the reason why you’re attracted to move and call Montana home. To make an informed decision that will work out perfectly for you, here are some of the things that you need to know about Montana.
There’s A Lot of Wildlife
To start off, you ought to be aware of the fact that there’s a lot of wildlife in Montana. This may be a result of the aforementioned low population density, so keep in mind that you’re likely to run into wildlife sooner rather than later. While some of this wildlife is beautiful and friendly, like Sandhill cranes, some are dangerous, like bears.
As a result, this may be an important detail for you to keep in mind if you’re an outdoors person. In this case, you may be more likely to have a run-in with wildlife than get injured while at work. This is based on the fact that in 2019, Montana had 38 workplace fatalities.
The Population Density Is Low
As mentioned, the population in Montana is quite low, which means that you can end up in an area that’s miles away from the closest neighbor. As such, you can be sure that the average hotel occupancy is also low, at 64.2%, according to Zippia. This means that you’ll find it easy to book a place to rest if you end up staying too late, far from home. That said, remember that hotels may also be few and far between, and try to look for one as soon as you realize that you may need one.
It’s Moderately Friendly for Retirees
Montana is also moderately friendly to retirees, although this could be dependent on your specific financial circumstances. That’s because there’s no sales tax in the state, to begin with, and this lowers the living costs in general. The property taxes are also relatively low, but there are taxes for retirees to pay on Social Security retirement benefits. This is a tax that’s fully exempt in a majority of other states. There are also very limited exemptions for retirement income from retirement accounts or pensions.
It Can Be Hard to Find Housing
In many parts of this state, it’s a struggle to find housing. This means that if you plan to move to Montana at some point, it’s good to at least make sure that you have a rental unit lined up for you before you make the move and end up getting stranded. This can be an even bigger issue for you if you have strict expectations of the ideal home for you, with 60% of buyers in the last year saying that it was extremely important for them that a home had a guest or spare bedroom, according to Zillow.
Winters Get Extremely Cold
Finally, keep in mind that winters in Montana can get extremely cold, so if you’re not a big fan of such weather, it may be best for you to consider moving elsewhere. Between November and March, the temperatures in Montana swing from 50 degrees above zero to 50 degrees below zero. That said, you’ll need to have a winter survival kit in the car with you every time you hit the road in Montana, and also remember to dress for the weather.
These are a few of the important things that you need to know if you’re thinking of moving to Montana. By keeping them in mind, you can stay well prepared for what awaits you. As a result, you may be able to settle down a lot more easily.