Montana. The Big Sky State. It bears this nickname because of the miles of open sky above that seems to be perfectly paired with the miles of open plain below. Moving from New Jersey will be a big change; but if change is what you are after, then you will not be disappointed.
We are licensed to perform local moves in New Jersey to relocate customers to any location in the continental United States, including Montana.
White Glove is also happy to offer a flat price on your long distance move. Our prices are based on your inventory rather than charging based on factors like weight or cubic feet. This helps eliminate variable on the move day and gives our consumers complete control over your price and removes all surprises.
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The state is massive. It is the fourth largest state by square miles in the United States, but it ranks 43rd in population. Just over a million people live in Montana, which makes its population density one of the lowest in the nation.
If you have made the decision to move to Montana from New Jersey, here are some of the things you should know.
Montana is an overwhelmingly rural state. With a population of just over 100,000, Billings is the largest city in Montana. However, you should drop in any assumptions you may have about what the economy and job market are like in such areas.
For decades, the resource extraction industry dominated the economy. The contraction of that industry in recent years led to a falling off of employment. But, interestingly, the tourist industry has taken up the slack. It is now the fastest-growing industry in the state. The beauty, ruggedness, and ample supply of wild game in the state attracts millions of outdoor enthusiasts each year. The industry is especially strong in Missoula, Bozeman, Flathead Valley.
This has led to growth in other sectors of the economy. Physical therapist, foreman, construction worker, electrician, plumber, and mechanic are now the fastest growing professions in the state.
You would think that the stretches of open land in Montana would make housing plentiful and easy to find. That is not the case. If you do not intend to build your own cabin in the middle of nowhere, you should secure a place to live before you move. Properties can be scarce and they are sold or rented quickly.
The current average value of a house is $225,600. If you are a renter, you will pay between $600-800 a month in places like Helena and Missoula. Although new construction is going on all the time, the housing market remains volatile. It may be worth taking a trip to the city or town in which you intend to live and securing a lease before you leave New Jersey.
You will not pay as much for rent in Montana as you have in New Jersey. The cost of food is a little higher than the national average. However, the average energy bill is $94.75, which is well below the national average. There is no sales tax on anything except alcoholic beverages, and the property taxes are lower than the national average.
Transportation is something you should also keep in mind. Public transportation is spotty and can only be found in a very limited capacity in the larger cities. Montana is a driving state. You will need a car if you are to get around. This may be an additional expense if you did not own a vehicle in New Jersey.
There are more cows in Montana than there are people. This can take some getting used to if you are moving from a state as densely populated as New Jersey. The residents like to describe their state as one big small town. And as in any small town, the people like to gossip and get in each other’s business. But they also believe in old fashion neighborliness, of helping each other out, and pulling together in an emergency. If your car breaks down on the highway, do not be surprised if someone stops to help you fix it, offers to wait with you until the repair crew arrives, or offers to give you a ride to the nearest town. You need not fear an ulterior motive. It is more than likely that the person who stops means well.
Montanans spend a great deal of time outdoors. If you are to make friends, you will need to get into fishing, hiking, camping, and other types of outdoor sports. Hunting is big in the state. Coming from the city, you may have certain objections to it. Don’t worry. The locals will not judge you, but you should try to make some effort to enjoy the wilderness of the state with people in the community.
A word of caution is needed here. If you have no or little experience in outdoor recreation, you should not go out into the wild alone. This is no minor matter. Grizzly bears, cougars, and poisonous snakes are everywhere. As soon as you move to Montana, you should get a tutorial on how to handle these dangerous creatures. The staff in the numerous outdoor equipment shops will be more than willing to give you a few tips. You can also get information on the Internet. But your safest option is to accompany a Montana native on all outdoor excursions until you get the hang of things.
Many people on the coasts view largely rural western states as bastions of political conservatism. Well, this is simply not true of Montana. At present, the state has rather diverse strands of progressive populism and mid-west libertarianism in the state. In general, Montanans have a live-and-let live attitude toward social issues. They are averse to heavy taxation but believe that some taxation is necessary to fund basic public services. The mining industry is still a significant part of the economy so worker rights are important in the politics of the state.
In short, no one party or ideology has a lock on politics in Montana.
Here are a few unmissable events and activities in the state:
The Sweet Pea Festival
This takes place annually in Bozeman. It features live music and works by local artists. The three-day event is filled with great food, a costume ball, and a parade.
Garnet Ghost Town
Garnet was one of the many towns that essentially popped up over night during the gold rush of the late 19th century. A fire destroyed it in 1912. It is now preserved as ghost town with all the attendant myths and legends. Tours are offered regularly through the remaining buildings in structures.
American Computer and Robotics Museum
This is one of the most interesting museums in the country. It is one of only two that is dedicated to the history of the computer. And not just the recent developments of the technology. Here, you will walk through a 4,000-year timeline of the information age.
Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center
Here you will learn everything you ever wanted to know about grizzly bears and wolves. There are live animals on the site, but they live in natural environments so that you can see them up close in a controlled setting.
White Glove is proud to be the only Long-Distance mover in New Jersey & New York to offer, “Long-Distance Price Lock.”
This means the price we quote you before your move is always the price you pay after the move.
No hidden fees, no circumstantial costs, no nickel or diming you for things you didn’t agree to. That’s one of the ways we make your moving day a White Glove experience. Learn more about other commitments we make to our customers.
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