While Montana gets its share of recognition for its national parks and natural beauty, that doesn’t mean it always gets the credit it deserves. If you’ve ever told people you’re from Montana and had them respond with “What is there to do out there?” or “What’s THAT like,?” then you know exactly what we mean.
While Montanans are actually perfectly fine with people thinking the Treasure State isn’t all that great (more for us to enjoy!), the truth is that Montana is underrated. Here’s why:
- Montana is pretty well-located on our continent.
bs called / Flickr You can drive to parts of the West Coast in one (very long) day. You can be in the Midwest in no time. The East Coast is a fairly short plane ride away, and Canada is basically in your backyard.
- Montana is full of beautiful creatures.
USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Flickr The people of Treasure State are so unbelievably lucky when it comes to seeing wildlife. It has the largest population of nesting loons and trumpeter swans, for one. Growing up in Montana often means getting a close view of animals some people never see.
- The state is steeped in history.
AllAroundTheWest / Flickr Think about it: The Dinosaur Trail, the Pictograph Cave in Billings, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and its Gold Rush past proves Montana is full of history.
- Montana has no sales tax.
Bill Walsh / Flickr This may not seem like a huge deal when you’re buying, say, a $40 pair of shoes. But if you’re buying something like a new TV or a couch, you’ll understand how awesome it is.
- The food is actually incredible.
Julia Manzerova / Flickr Montana’s wide open spaces and perfect crop-growing climate makes it a perfect place to raise free range cattle and grow delicious fruits and vegetables.
- Montanans can eat plenty of that incredible food, because they love to go outside and get some exercise.
Micah Sheldon / Flickr Montana is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. And winter activities like skiing are enjoyed just as often as warm weather favorites. All four seasons are appreciated.
- There’s something for almost everyone in Montana.
Tim Evanson / Flickr Want to live in a tiny town with 200 other people you rarely see? There are plenty of those (Olney and Fort Peck, for example). Want a small town vibe with plenty of charm? Try Stevensville or Phillipsburg. And if you prefer a slightly bigger city with some culture, you’ll like Missoula or Bozeman. There are no cities with millions of people, smog and traffic jams, but you’ll find just about anything else you could want in Big Sky Country.
- Montana doesn’t know the meaning of “rush hour.”
Sean Kimmel / Flickr The lack of backed up traffic and three hour commutes home from work are very underrated. It can truly improve the quality of life.
- There is simply no way that Glacier National Park could ever be anything but underrated.
PROCody Wellons / Flickr Just look at it. And to think, the pictures don’t even do it justice.
- Montana might be the fourth largest state in the country, but it ranks 44th in population.
Frank McNamara / Flickr You can fit Virginia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware inside Montana’s borders, but it has a fraction of the people. It’s the best place to live for people who like their space.
- Montana is for badasses.
Reddit Google says so.
- Because you can’t truly understand how beautiful Montana is until you’ve lived there.
Ryan McKee / Flickr Sorry, visitors. You’ll just have to take our word for it and believe us when we say that Montana is underrated. We’re sure your home is very nice too.
What can we say… Montana is the best. What are some other reasons Montana is underrated?
bs called / Flickr
You can drive to parts of the West Coast in one (very long) day. You can be in the Midwest in no time. The East Coast is a fairly short plane ride away, and Canada is basically in your backyard.
USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Flickr
The people of Treasure State are so unbelievably lucky when it comes to seeing wildlife. It has the largest population of nesting loons and trumpeter swans, for one. Growing up in Montana often means getting a close view of animals some people never see.
AllAroundTheWest / Flickr
Think about it: The Dinosaur Trail, the Pictograph Cave in Billings, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and its Gold Rush past proves Montana is full of history.
Bill Walsh / Flickr
This may not seem like a huge deal when you’re buying, say, a $40 pair of shoes. But if you’re buying something like a new TV or a couch, you’ll understand how awesome it is.
Julia Manzerova / Flickr
Montana’s wide open spaces and perfect crop-growing climate makes it a perfect place to raise free range cattle and grow delicious fruits and vegetables.
Micah Sheldon / Flickr
Montana is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. And winter activities like skiing are enjoyed just as often as warm weather favorites. All four seasons are appreciated.
Tim Evanson / Flickr
Want to live in a tiny town with 200 other people you rarely see? There are plenty of those (Olney and Fort Peck, for example). Want a small town vibe with plenty of charm? Try Stevensville or Phillipsburg. And if you prefer a slightly bigger city with some culture, you’ll like Missoula or Bozeman. There are no cities with millions of people, smog and traffic jams, but you’ll find just about anything else you could want in Big Sky Country.
Sean Kimmel / Flickr
The lack of backed up traffic and three hour commutes home from work are very underrated. It can truly improve the quality of life.
PROCody Wellons / Flickr
Just look at it. And to think, the pictures don’t even do it justice.
Frank McNamara / Flickr
You can fit Virginia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware inside Montana’s borders, but it has a fraction of the people. It’s the best place to live for people who like their space.
Google says so.
Ryan McKee / Flickr
Sorry, visitors. You’ll just have to take our word for it and believe us when we say that Montana is underrated. We’re sure your home is very nice too.
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