Perspective: 3 Ways Montana Will Destroy It’s ‘Awesome’

If Montana has been known as 'The Last Best Place', is it possible that we're morphing into 'The Last Pretty OK Place'? Montana still has 150,000 square miles of terrain, but we've now got 1.2 million people across the state - the richest of which are outbidding each other on the best chunks.

HOUSING ISN'T JUST EXPENSIVE, IT'S NEVER GOING BACK

We all know the price of housing has skyrocketed across most of Montana, especially since 2020. You can look at any cost history graph and simply see the spike go hyperbolic. The U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency shows that in Q4 of 2023, Montana's House Price Index for all transactions was about 780 - just 20 years ago it was about 250.

"We" can blame it on whoever we want, but the fact of the housing matter is - we're here now and I don't think the most attractive areas in Montana will experience a bubble bursting. Leveling out of insane prices? Sure, a little. But face it - Montana is freakin' gorgeous, it's better than most other states, and people who can afford it, will always buy it.

MONTANA IS LOSING IT'S 'FUNKY CHUNKS'

There used to be neighborhoods in Bozeman, with ski-fence lined alleys. Even the really nice areas had a few aging hippies who lined up the old, brightly colored skis to build their back fence. It was COOL. It was PRETTY. It was FUNKY. And now I know of only a couple homes who (barely) hang on to this distinct, ski town tradition.

On a positive note here - I've noticed much more public art in several towns across Montana. Highway overpasses, large sides of retail businesses, sculpture gardens within existing parks...I'm all for more of that stuff. It might not be old-school, funky, amateur home art, but it's certainly art.

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14 REASONS BOZEMAN IS STILL PRETTY GREAT

NEWBIE AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS ARE TURNING ME INTO ONE, TOO

There is nothing more aggravating than having someone ride your tail, especially in a 25 mph zone. There's zero point. It's unsafe. And it makes your blood boil. Uninformed drivers trying to make a left at intersections without a lead arrow, tailgating, not stopping for pedestrians at marked intersections, etc.

Here's the point: I have grown to HATE driving in Montana sometimes, and I've never felt that way. Driving is perhaps the most bitched about topic in casual conversation these days in Montana. Or at least a close second to the weather. It's as if everyone hates driving across town now - it seems like yesterday it wasn't a big deal.

Where Are Montana's Private Luxury Clubs?