11 Things to Know When Moving to Montana
Montana is a concealed wonder located in the north of the continental US. There’s a lot to explore in Montana. The wilderness, beauty and solitude are things that draw many people to live in Montana. In Montana, you will be able to experience a blend of the city and mountain living. If you are considering moving to Montana, there are several things that you need to be prepared for. Here are 11 things you need to know before moving to Montana.
What to Know Before your Move to Montana
1. Before you Arrive in Montana
Find a reliable moving company, truck rental or moving container
For your move to Montana, you will need to hire a reliable moving company or take on the move yourself. To find the best moving company in Montana, look for good reviews, a professional-looking website, and years of experience.
Planning a move to Montana? Have a look at our selection of the Best Moving Companies in Billings.
Forward your mail
If you are moving to Montana permanently and you receive a lot of mail (excluding packages), you may want to sign up with USPS’s mail forwarding service. Mail forwarding will allow your mail to be redirected to the right address for a given period of time. The fee for regular mail forwarding is only a little over a dollar for 6 months. If you want to extend the service, you will have to pay around $20 for 6 months more. You can begin your mail forwarding process by signing up on USPS’s website or directly at your local Post Office.
Sell or donate goods you won’t need in Montana
It’s a good idea to sell the items that you won’t need in Montana as you will get some extra cash and save money on luggage fees. You can simply put your items on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist or donate them to your local charitable organization. You might not want to donate or sell that winter coat you’ve been storing away as it does get quite cold in Montana.
2. What are the First Steps to Take When Arriving in Montana?
Change your address
Along with mail forwarding, you will also have to update your new address with the concerned authorities in Montana like DMV. You can register to vote by mail or in person at county elections offices. You should also change your address with your employer, bank, doctor, insurer, and service providers so that you can avoid any complications further down the road.
Exchange your driver’s license
If you have recently moved to Montana, you will be required to transfer your out-of-state driver’s license within 60 days of moving. You must visit your local MT MVD office in person and surrender your previous driver’s license. To get a list of all the documents required, you can visit the Applying for a New License in Montana page.
Register your vehicle
If you’ve brought your out-of-state vehicle with you to Montana, you’ll need to have it registered in Montana within 60 days of your move. To do this, you’ll need to visit your local MT MVD office in person with all the required documents.
Consider getting health insurance
Getting health insurance is an excellent way to get peace of mind when it comes to your health. With health insurance, you will not have to worry about spending a ton of money in case of a health-related emergency. Healthcare is regulated by the state in the US and so the state of Montana proposes a website to help you with your health insurance search. Simply choose Montana as your state and create an account.
Consider getting home insurance
Getting a property insurance plan is a great idea when you move to Montana as homeowners face many challenges throughout the year. Winters can bring various difficulties such as frozen pipes, snow, and ice dams. In summer, hail and thunderstorms can damage your home. Brush fires are an added challenge that may occur without a warning and damage your property.
3. Best Places to Live in Montana
If you are a couple, you might want to consider living in East Helena as it has affordable housing, good job opportunities and it is a safe place to live in.
If you are a family, you might want to consider Bozeman. Bozeman has some top-grade schools, great transport options, amenities and health facilities.
If you are single, you should consider moving to Billings. It’s a great place for millennials who are in search of job opportunities. It is also an ideal place for people who like to explore and are social.
4. Housing and Renting in Montana
How to find an apartment in Montana?
If you are looking for an apartment, these websites may be helpful.
How to find a house in Montana?
5. How to Set Up Utilities in Montana?
Electricity, water, and gas in Montana
For electricity supply, you can either contact or visit the website of Black Hills Energy or East River Electric. Both are well-known for their reliable services. American Water Technologies in Montana is known for its superior customer service and reliability when it comes to setting up water supply in Montana. For setting up gas supply, you can visit NorthWestern Energy’s website.
Internet and cell phone in Montana
Montana has average internet speeds and reasonable prices. Satellite is the best option if you are living in remote areas where cable and fiber can’t reach. To save money on the internet and your cell phone plan, it’s a great idea to bundle your internet service with your cell phone provider. The best internet providers in Montana will have bundling options, various speeds, and multiple package options at reasonable prices.
6. Cost of Living in Montana
The average cost of living in Billings, Montana is around $2300 per month for a couple.
The cost of living for a couple in Billings, MT is listed below:
Expense | USD $ |
Rent – Mortgage | $800 |
Utilities (gas, water, electricity, phone, internet) | $300 |
Groceries | $300 |
Entertainment | $150 |
Insurance (home, car, health) | $550 |
Other (transportation, material goods) | $150 |
Source: Expatisan, Numbeo, UpNest
7. What’s the Weather like in Montana?
On average, there are 189 sunny days per year in Montana.
The highest temperature in Summers is around 84 degrees and the Winter low in January is 12 degrees.
Montana averages 15 inches of rain every year.
8. How to Get Around in Montana?
In Montana, you can either get around with your car or you can choose to travel in buses that run on a fixed route. While there are limited public transit options available in Montana, the city of Billings does have a good bus system that is known as MET Transit.
9. Places to Shop and Eat in Montana
Some of the most common grocery stores in Montana are:
The 2 most popular big chain stores are: Big Lots and Shipton’s Big R Stores.
Popular food places include: Loula’s and River City Grill.
10. What’s There to Do in Montana?
Montana is famous for being an ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts. Go visit the Glacier National Park and you will enjoy the breathtaking views. At The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center you can see rare species like grizzlies and wolves up close. Some of the outdoor activities you can enjoy are hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, camping, canoeing and skiing.
11. Fun Facts About Montana
Montana is the fourth-largest state in the U.S.
Montana is a Spanish word for mountain.
The world’s shortest river is in Montana.
Special Mention!
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- Find resources, checklists and more.
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