Moving to Montana Checklist Overview
Whether your reason for moving to Montana is work or school-related, it’s imperative to know what to expect once you get there. If you’re a nature lover, almost everything about Montana will please you. You’ve probably watched films like “A River Runs Through It” or “The Horse Whisperer.” All that said, here are some basics of what to expect before relocating to Montana.
Know Montana’s income taxes and update them
Whether you’re looking to own property or rent one, you’ll be pleased to know that property taxes in Montana are lower than the national average. The state ranks 20th out of 50. Its real estate tax rate of 10% makes it the ideal place to own property.
The deadline for filing your taxes in Montana this year (2022) is April 18, 2022. You have all the time to prepare and e-file with the IRS or Federal Income Tax Return to be tax compliant.
Get your car registered and titled
Montana’s harsh winters make four-wheel drives a necessity rather than a luxury. First, visit the MVD headquarters or the county treasurer’s office to handle your titling issues and other special considerations. You will also get a customer identification number under the Montana Enhanced Registration & Licensing Information Network (MERLIN). You may also be charged DMV fees for:
· RVs
· Regular trailers
· Boasts
· Motorcycles and ATVs
· Travel trailers
Know the school that you or your child will attend
Currently, Montana is home to more than 1,229 public and private PK-12 schools. Did you know that Montana State University is among the best higher education learning facilities in the country? If you’re relocating to Montana to get your degree, there are plenty of top public and private universities.
Montana is also a good place to raise your family. You have plenty of choices to choose from, such as Glasgow, Livingston, Lewis Town, East Helena, Whitefish, and Dillon, among others. These towns have top-performing schools, making you spoilt for choices regarding your child(ren) education. Remember that public transport isn’t optimal for inter-city because of the snowy conditions. So, if you’re going to live in the countryside, ensure you have a good transportation plan for your school-going kids.
Get a good house
It can be tough to find a house with ultra-modern features, particularly if you’re relocating from urban cities like New York or California. In many parts of the state, families, and individuals struggle to get affordable housing. For example, the city has few houses ready for occupants.
The best places to get decent houses are:
· Billings: Its median prices of homes have steadily increased since 2011
· Missoula: Is home to Montana University, making it a perfect place to invest in rentals
· Bozeman: It offers lucrative jobs for professionals at Montana State University, with over 3,000 employees.
Learn to cope with the weather
Montana is popularly known for extremely cold temperatures during winter between November and March. Expect Montana temperatures to swing between 50 degrees above zero and 50 degrees below zero. To ensure you acclimatize to the freezing winters, dress for the weather.
Being a Montana resident requires you to have a survival kit in your home supplies because unpredictable weather can wreak havoc at any time. Also, ensure you make friends with the locals to know where to run for help should the weather misbehave.
Verdict
Living in Montana can be breathtaking and unpredictable at the same time. Save for the weather, the state has lucrative jobs, outperforming schools, low state income tax, and friendly locals. It starts by getting the right documents, being friendly with the locals, and ensuring you’re on the law’s good side.
That way, you won’t have a problem navigating life around the state and ensuring you enjoy its privileges. Read about moving to New York here.
