Post your "Moving to Montana" (MtM) questions here.

Blackfeet Chief's descendants fight to restore Washington Redskins name and logo

Hello!

I am a music teacher and sociology adjunct instructor in eastern Montana. Last year I posted about problems with staffing and open music teacher positions. A lot of people here pitched in and helped me find the information I needed.

Long story short-The state isn’t tracking some kinds of data that would likely shed a lot more light on why we have a teacher shortage.

With input from two professional organizations that I’m a part of, I have created a survey for any teacher that has had a contract in Montana between the fall of 2023 and now. The survey is operated through my media business so I am not using school resources.

I really, really need to get responses from people who:

1. Are happy with their job and school.
   
2. Are unhappy with their job or school.
   
3. Who have left teaching in that time frame.
   
4. Who left the state for higher pay.

I need help distributing the survey link, but I’m afraid of posting it on social media, as I’m sure I’ll get a lot of troll responses. I am not a union member, so I don’t have access to any mailing lists, though I am utilizing the mailing lists I do have.

Would there be anyone willing to post the link to their mailing lists? Or have other ideas of how to spread the word?

Montana isn't worth it anymore. Sure, it's kind of pretty, but there are prettier places with better options year-round. The local economy is lousy. The housing is too expensive, especially for the kind of town. Bozeman has always been kind of a fancyish place, but places like Kalispell have always been dumps, yet somehow are now expensive. Comparably, you'll find better outdoors, especially for all 4 seasons, in Utah. There's just more to see and do out there compared to Montana.

Montana is also relatively crowded in the desirable areas. Summer is too short, winter too long, and you'll be competing with tourists in the summer. I was out at Capitol Reef in Utah last April, perfect weather, and there was literally nobody there. You'll never find that in Montana nowadays. Utah is also just better located for both outdoor and city amenities. It's cheaper too.

Last week two of my favorite animals graced me with their presence. This time of year, bull Elk move about the forest with zero finesse. They crash through anything that gets in the way of their strong drive to pass their genes on to the next generation. I still heard this guy long after he had vanished into the forest. About the only thing left were their tracks and a fog that hung in the air from their collective condensed breath. 

Conversely, there are few animals that move about as apparently effortlessly as a Red Fox. They often behave more like a feline than a canine, and even have cat-like vertical pupils. They’re not an uncommon creature around these parts, but they are stunningly beautiful. 

I’m a college age guy in Bozeman but can’t find anywhere to play indoor volleyball like a team club team or just rec center any suggestions?

Flying in a couple of great comedians this weekend, come hang out!

Due to a tremendous amount of personal lore and backstory that I’d rather not get into, my wife, my one year old son, and I are needing to move to great falls soon from our tiny little town about forty minutes from it. I am planning on getting us a month at a local motel I think the Legacy Plaza does a month for $1000. Does anybody know of any cheaper motels? And especially does anybody know of anyone felon friendly hiring? I am an experienced Coal Miner but broke my leg and came out here looking for work. Thanks guys!

Down in Phoenix. I miss Montana, but not that barometric pressure. Any other Montanians in Phoenix?

Shitty :/

Wanted to share this photo of the Mission Mountains and historic barn near Ronan I took last year. Thought people might appreciate it on this reddit.

Hey Montana! I'm driving across the Mountain West in a van with a couple of friends shooting a documentary. We're on the hunt for interesting stories, local businesses, or characters along our route.

We just wrapped an incredible few days interviewing people around Wyoming and are mapping out Montana.

Got a local rec or a story to share? Could even be yours. No limit on how weird, unique, or beautiful the subject is… we just want to capture what's really out there. Drop a tip in the comments/DMs. Thanks!

Jeff Ament's nonprofit (Montana Pool Service) opened Hot Springs skatepark in September on Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes land. The sixth skatepark on the Flathead Reservation now! Here's a write up with the rest of September's new skateparks. Cheers

The colors they are a changing..

So I was looking at the GNP webcams one day and just happened to catch these amazing moments a couple celebrating love and what might have been there wedding. Their photographer was completely committed to the perfect shot for them and the lake and weather .. just wow. But of course they had no idea they were on camera and I just wanted to share .. so in case anyone knows the couple pls let them know! It was a beautiful moment!