Michelle

Moving to Montana is a big deal. It's a huge state, lots of excellent places to live, myriad outdoor activities, etc. But it's absolutely crucial that folks moving to Montana keep in mind these very easy ways for them to become a 'good Montanan'. Montana has it's own set of unique living requirements.

There's a historic mansion in Helena that is so pretty, and incredibly ornate - and it's currently for sale. The architecture is stunning and the private home has been renovated in recent years.

All of Montana's ski hills, all in one place. Bookmark this list for easy reference all season long. Get current conditions and reports for any Montana resort with one click.

Consider this entire article an analogy for smart living in Montana. Montana is hardly the untamed West anymore, but living here is no joke and Mother Nature always decides the rules. Messing with her is a very bad idea. Hence, the good relationships you need to have when you live here.

Montana has been surrounded by raging wildfires all summer and now we have plenty of our own to deal with. One of the most challenging aspects of these wildfires is the particulate filled smoke that they produce. It can stay localized in valleys or continuously blow into the state with the jet stream. How can you stay healthy if you're susceptible to breathing issues?

We all know that pollinators are in trouble, but one (super cute) endangered species is in BIG trouble in Montana. There's a particular bumble bee that is cartoonishly adorable, but it's also on the 'critically endangered' list.

If it seems like it's harder to find genuine 4th of July fireworks displays, rodeos, parades, and celebrations - it's because it is. Several Montana towns, however, keep their Independence Day events on point and will not disappoint. Here are some of the most action-packed options.

ANYONE can be a passenger in a car going from point A to point B. But being a respected, reliable, interesting, tough, practical, funny, and calm road tripper - that calls for a Montana girl if you want the best. There is no better kind of person to travel with on the road.

Ah, my Montana friends. Do I have a story for you, and you're NOT going to like it. It has everything to do with people moving to Montana from California, Texas, and Florida. But it's not the people who are the problem - it's what they're bringing with them to Montana.

When you think about "rich zip codes" in Montana, the smaller foo-foo ski towns or lake towns might spring to mind first. Depending on what measure of wealth we use, you might actually be right. But in this instance, the question was specific and didn't have to deal with accumulated wealth or real estate holdings.

Bozeman will never agree on fireworks, and it has always been this way. Whether they were "allowed" or not, people love them or hate them. We've discussed it many times. This year with a clear fireworks ban from the City of Bozeman, some residents are really not thrilled and they have thoughts.

When you have more money than you know what to do with, you may want to buy the most expensive 'whatever' you can find. We scoured Montana for the most expensive stuff you can buy, from gear and toys to RVs and cheese. No kidding.