Montana is a pretty amazing place. I moved here in June of 1993 and never looked back. I have not regretted a single second I’ve lived here. We won’t talk about my living here over 20 years and not visiting Yellowstone Park yet. I’ll have to save that for another time. Besides it’s in Wyoming so who cares?

What Makes Montana So Great?

When my wife and I were searching for someplace to retire to we had certain criteria our new home would have to meet. Having lived in major cities we wanted a slower life with less people and Montana being the fourth largest state with a population under a million, and less than 6 people per square mile, fit the bill. We also wanted four seasons. We compromised on that since Montana has two seasons, winter and two months of soggy sledding. And, we both wanted snow for Christmas and in 20 years, Montana has never let us down in that regard. If fact we’ve seen snow at one time or another in every month of the year.

A Few Interesting Montana Facts

  • For a time Montana could boast to having the shortest river in the world. The Roe River between Giant Springs and the Missouri near Great Falls is only 201 feet long. About two thirds of a football field. The Reprura in the European country of Georgia is supposed to be 59 feet long.
  • In the year 1888 Montana’s capital, Helena, had more millionaires per capita than any other city in the world.
  • Need your space? Montana is knows for it’s open spaces. In fact 46 of Montana’s 56 counties have fewer than 6 people per square mile.
  • Montana is home to more different species of mammals than any other state.
  • Virginia City, Montana was founded in 1863 and has the most complete original buildings in the United States.
  • Triple Divide Peak, located in Glacier National Park, sends water to the Atlantic, Pacific and Hudson Bay. Montana is the only state having the phenomenon of a triple divide.
  • Montana is home to the largest number of Grizzly Bears in the lower 48 states and the largest migratory elk herd in the country.
  • Paleontologist Jack Horner, of Bozeman’s Museum of the Rockies, was the inspiration for Dr. Alan Grant in the book and movie, “Jurassic Park.”

Some Final Thoughts

Every state is attractive in it’s own way. But when you tell people you are moving to Iowa there’s not much of a reaction. Tell people you are moving to Montana and their eyes get big. No question Montana has a mystic that other states don’t.

If you moved to Montana from someplace else why did you move here? For me it was the history of the old west. As they say I have the hat the boots but no cattle. But I feel like a Montanan never the less. I’m convinced I was just born someplace else by mistake. What brought you here?

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