Shop around and compare before you settle
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4/17/2020
Pros
-Close to the mountains; lots of room to roam.
-Mild climate
-Decent established trail system (hiking and mountain biking)
-Cross Country Ski club & groomed trails
-Good forest service access to cut firewood (cheap heat)
-Turner Mountain ski hill; excellent value
-Yaak Mt music scene / summer events
-Proximity to many other cool areas
Cons
-Prone to heavy smoke; wildfire + local burning of slash piles due to density of forest service.
-Cloudy during non-summer months
-Grocery selection is a bit thin and very pricey compared to many other areas.
-You will travel for advanced medical care; amounts to greater expense.
-Internet is on the slow side and not available outside of the city in many areas - meaning you will pay for Starlink with the add on $20 p/m for high demand areas and like it.
-Cell reception sparse / speed is slow.
-Most everything costs a premium; will likely find yourself driving and spending extra money for basic things.
-Dusty. Many dirt roads that are trafficked lend to everything having a coating of dust.
-Housing & land prices are steep compared to other places; cost of living is actually quite high. You will spend extra on everything. EVERYTHING.
-Population is quite dense; while the data suggests there is plenty of room to roam (& there is), you will likely find housing in only the rather densely populated areas.
-Access is good in summer months; need snow machine in winter for access.
-Economy; many come here with sources of income or wealth acquired elsewhere. Jobs are limited & generally can't support the premiums attached to everything.
-Train parallels the highway and population centers; noise pollution & hazardous material always being trucked though.
-Prior super-fund area; many people are sick as a result. Clean up uncertain and winding down with mis-management surrounding future to care for issues not addressed.
Jeremy | Troy, MT