Reviews & Comments
Montana, MT
changing fast -
4/6/2007I was born and raised here and it has been "discovered". In the sad tradition of Aspen and Lake Tahoe, that which once brought people here is being destroyed by those who came. An ineffective zoning and growth plan has lead to sprawl in all directions. The cost of living here far exceeds what the wages here can support and those at or below poverty, most of whom were natives, is increasing. Million dollar trophy homes are going up all over with owners that come by for a couple weeks of the year, otherwise they simply raise the taxes on the populace they moved in on. There is no place more beautiful in the summer nor more gloomy and gray in the winter. Weather extremes are common. Air quality is much poorer that most would have suspected in the high mountains unless you are familiar with the term "inversion". Growth is also taking a heavy toll on water quality.
The northwest area of Montana has held the highest fatality rate on the state highways for some time now and Montana has one of the highest alcohol related crash stats in the nation. The beer consumed per capita is also among the highest. Montana is appealing to many as a place to live where there is more freedom to make choices but those choices come at a very high price. The heavy injury/fatal crash stats and the lack of a primary seatbelt law contribute to the high auto insurance rates. A large portion of the motorists have no insurance as they cannot afford it due to high rates and low wages. It essentially ends up with those who have insurance "subsidizing" that freedom of choice and those who choose to go without insurance.
Montana has a very highly publicized anti-Meth campaign. Many western region states are looking to incorporate the campaign into their state's anti-drug efforts. Think first--the campaign began here for a reason--meth (and clandestine labs) are not the only drug problem.
While the wages are low the common response by employers is "that is the price for living in such a beautiful place"; however, you can't eat scenery and increasing the profit margin by paying wages that keep others in the poverty level of income is a glaring comment on the morality and ethical nature of the new-comers. I would gladly welcome an increase in population that is dedicated to preserving what is left and holding themselves to a higher standard of ethics, both economically and environmentally.