Money

It's a scary time to be a renter in the state of Montana. It's been that way for several years but now more than ever, as property owners across the state have received their new property tax bills - and some of the increases are alarming for owners and renters alike.

Let's say you had enough money that you didn't have to work a traditional job. At all. Income was just not an issue for you, so you were able to do what you wanted and buy what you wanted whenever you wanted. I despise the term 'lady of leisure' but unfortunately there are few other phrases that depict the lifestyle we're trying to describe.

When you think about "rich zip codes" in Montana, the smaller foo-foo ski towns or lake towns might spring to mind first. Depending on what measure of wealth we use, you might actually be right. But in this instance, the question was specific and didn't have to deal with accumulated wealth or real estate holdings.

You have to pay to play in Montana. Play outdoors, that is. The toys, the gear, the vehicles, the activities, the permits, and everything else you might need to pursue Montana's outdoor adventures can get VERY expensive.

This is a head shaker, especially with how many helpful resources there are about living in Montana. So many people insist on holding onto false expectations, incorrect data, and far outdated imagery about what life is really like in Montana. It has always been hard to live here, but there's another set of challenges now.

When you think of all the rich and famous people who now call Montana home, at least part-time, this well-known billionaire isn't on the list - but I wish he was. Although his companies do have major business dealings in Montana, I couldn't find any search evidence that he's got residential property here.

I won't pretend to be an expert in Montana liquor and gaming laws, but I can see that the current cost of obtaining a liquor license almost ANYWHERE in Montana has reached insane levels. Even available licenses in pretty small, un-touristy towns are highly priced. Why has this been an issue for so long around here?

I joked for a long time that I should move to Great Falls or Billings because that's where it seemed all of Montana's big lottery winners were buying their tickets. That doesn't seem to be the case anymore. One Montana town is selling decently big winning tickets every week now.

Finally. Bozeman, Montana takes the #1 spot on a list that doesn't make me mad or make me roll my eyes. It's an important list about about money, and making more of it. In a town that has priced itself and it's local families nearly out of range, it's a small win for folks working entry level jobs.

Did your head explode this week as you opened your new Gallatin County property assessment? You're not alone. Nobody expected their property taxes to go down or stay the same - we all knew they were going up. HOWEVER, the increase this year for most property owners is downright painful.

It's next to impossible to find an accurate national average cost for full-time preschool, but you'll see numbers ranging from $8k to $15k and the Bozeman area is definitely at the top of that range. High rates, teacher shortages, insane waiting lists, and many closure days (that you'll still pay for) make for a mind-blowing parent experience.

If you've ever wanted to own a home on the National Register of Historic Places, this 7,000+ square foot Billings, Montana mansion might be the best deal in the entire state. Although this lovely home is still out of most people's price range, it really is a Montana "bargain" at $169 per square foot.