Is This Accurate? Montana, Where Only The Rich Will Survive.
Hear me out, and yes I know I am technically a transplant. But I will say, I'm definitely not a rich transplant. This isn't to upset anyone, it's basically the facts about what is happening to Montana. We are in Bozeman, as most of you know, and if you look around, there is clearly a trend happening, and that trend favors the rich.
How does anyone survive with only one job? If you are a single parent, there is a good chance you are working two (or more jobs), paying a ridiculous amount of rent, and watching the rich move in and work remotely.
It's hard not to feel bitter or even jealous of the carefree transplants that get to walk around with their heads in the clouds, ignoring the fact that their fortunate riches could make a positive impact in our town, but instead they would rather indulge in a $150 dollar steak and drinks with their friends.
Housing prices are through the roof and have been for some time now. The average person who has been here for years, saving to own their dream home in the town they grew up in, hardly have a shot at getting into a home for less than half a million dollars. And even finding that is a crap shoot.
Let's say you are a homeowner and have been for years and years and you are finally hoping to do some much needed upgrades to your family home. Better call now and get on the list, because contractors are backed up for months, materials are constantly getting more and more expensive, and the dreams of having those upgrades to your home tend to fade into the past. Meanwhile, the rich are building skyrise apartments disrupting the views.
Have a family of 4 or more and want to go out to an event or dinner? Better have a minimum of $150 bucks. That's if you can find a place where all the ordered meals are under $20 a piece. Then do you get to have anything other than water to drink? Dinner out shouldn't put you in a financial hard spot. You should be able to enjoy a night out and not have to worry about what bill you will put off for a week.
The once quiet dreamy town of Bozeman, MT has become a hot-spot for the rich and leaving the loyal life time Montanans in-between a rock and a hard spot. Residents who have lived here their entire lives, some living off of their much deserved retirement, are struggling to fill their fridges. Pushing the true locals out and pulling in the rich.
But what can be done? The cost of products/materials are so high nationwide, you can't blame contractors for high building costs. Restaurants struggle to keep menu prices reasonable as the cost of food has skyrocketed. You can't blame the life time locals for selling their homes at incredibly high prices, if they didn't would they be able to afford to keep it?
What will Bozeman look like in the next few years, is a question that is on many people's minds. Will there be hundreds of vacant apartments that can't be filled or will Bozeman turn into the adopted name "Boz-Angeles" for real?
Can we be mad at the rich for their financial success? No. But we can hope that they would want to make the community a better more enjoyable place for the true residents that gave Bozeman its originality that they love so much.