Ranking of Montana towns politically (Missoula, Great Falls: sale, power lines, how much)

[NDak15]

Originally Posted by ejisme

Very True: We were in Great Falls. Very nice medical center and many specialists in town, but not all of them if you have an uncommon issue. My wife has a few long term medical issues since her teen years. She needs periodic follow up with an endocrinologist. We had to drive 2+ hours each way to Billings once or twice a year to see one that covered her needs. Based on that condition the local ophthalmologist wanted her to be seen by a specialist. She was sent down to Salt Lake City for two appointments, where they said she was fine, but the local guy didn't want to sign his name to her diagnosis. Then she developed TMJ - jaw pain. To see the right dental specialist we had to drive about two hours to Bozeman. We probably made 8-10 trips down there before her condition resolved. If you pick one of the smaller towns in Montana you will likely be traveling for anything greater than regular primary care, dental and optical services. That's only a worry if you and your family have any special medical or dental care needs, or develop them as you age. Anyway, if those are present today then you need to investigate where you can get care for that/those conditions before you move.

Montana is still a pretty great place to live. It just takes a bit more planning before the move, and a bit more effort some days after you move.

Access to specialized medicine is certainly a concern in much of the West. Same issue here.

[letsgobucks!]

Originally Posted by Baby B

Your asking about MT towns and their political preferences, so I was curious if the "Leaning" factor would affect your reason for asking that question. And if the election outcome would affect you if you already live in MT. or plan to move there.

Looking to relocate. Have looked far more in Wyoming. Have spent the last 6 out of 7 summers there. I’m a teacher in Midwest where I’ve had a great career of 28 years…great school, community, have won 3 state championships as a coach…teacher of the year….but liberalism here has us looking as we have for the last 7-8 years…have 5 kids with three of them still at home…aging parents live in our neighborhood…hard to leave but will either relocate within the next 2-3 years or wait until I reach full pension in 8 years.

Unlike many on these forums which I’ve followed for many years, want to plan and make an intelligent and wise decision taking into account the anticipation of consequences into such a huge decision.

Some people can pickup and move on a whim…not us.

Trump winning or losing has zero bearing…and that seems so shallow and shortsighted…perhaps you can see now that now. Trump would last 4 more years…big whooop…heavens, my life and the conservativeness of my community is far longer lasting and immediately impacting.

How about ranking some towns to help?

[letsgobucks!]

Originally Posted by Montguy

It’s not an odd response at all, considering that a lot of people that move to red states do so because they think they’re safer from Democratic presidential administrations in those places. If Trump were in office again, it would probably have somewhat of a placating effect on right-wingers in blue states and slow their out-migration.

I have my reasons…. You don’t need to know what those are. Lord have mercy….its a simple task…rank some dang cities or keeps scrolling…thanks!

Maybe ranking cities isn’t chatty enough for folks who frequent forums…whatever. Rank on scroll please and thanks for those who have ranked and/or given insight into towns…and NOT worried about my reasons or why.

I thought Montana was filled with libertarians, who let people want what they want…and I’ve heard so often about libertarians and western state residents that “ if you leave people alone, they’ll leave you alone….”

So…..

[letsgobucks!]

Originally Posted by Shuffler

As the OP will be retiring with a pension, the question of location and access to quality medical care should also be among the most important considerations, regardless of local politics.

MT is not known for 'high quality' medicine ... still very much a 'backwater' in many ways. I know this because my wife deals with Logan Health here in Kalispell and hears all about it firsthand from patients all the time (her office is one of 2 in the entire Valley that is NOT affiliated with Logan Hell)

Imagine a major medical emergency and you're 1+ hours from any town with minimal services, let alone a hospital, in the dead of Winter. Have fun with that ... you rolled the dice and get to deal with the consequences of rural life when things go sideways.

This has nothing to do with politics of MT towns and more to do with the state still being very rural and geographically inconvenient for the most part.

Good life-advice for sure and something to consider. Even though I’m just 53 and a healthy PE teacher…you never know. For now, knowing political nature of towns is a factor we’ll consider. If you have any insight into political leanings of the towns let me know. Thanks, kindly.

[letsgobucks!]

Originally Posted by ejisme

Very True: We were in Great Falls. Very nice medical center and many specialists in town, but not all of them if you have an uncommon issue. My wife has a few long term medical issues since her teen years. She needs periodic follow up with an endocrinologist. We had to drive 2+ hours each way to Billings once or twice a year to see one that covered her needs. Based on that condition the local ophthalmologist wanted her to be seen by a specialist. She was sent down to Salt Lake City for two appointments, where they said she was fine, but the local guy didn't want to sign his name to her diagnosis. Then she developed TMJ - jaw pain. To see the right dental specialist we had to drive about two hours to Bozeman. We probably made 8-10 trips down there before her condition resolved. If you pick one of the smaller towns in Montana you will likely be traveling for anything greater than regular primary care, dental and optical services. That's only a worry if you and your family have any special medical or dental care needs, or develop them as you age. Anyway, if those are present today then you need to investigate where you can get care for that/those conditions before you move.

Montana is still a pretty great place to live. It just takes a bit more planning before the move, and a bit more effort some days after you move.

Excellent…that’s real world stuff there. Sorry you hand to deal with that. So much of the mountain west has the healthcare issue of seemstand we are definitely spoiled having five major hospitals, and one gigantic university hospital near us. Although we haven’t needed them really, you never know what life will bring. If you have any insight into political leanings of specific towns let me know. Thank you!!

[Baby B]

:Just make sure you check if there is any Wolverine fans in a 10 mile radius.

[Montguy]

Originally Posted by letsgobucks!

I have my reasons…. You don’t need to know what those are. Lord have mercy….its a simple task…rank some dang cities or keeps scrolling…thanks!

Maybe ranking cities isn’t chatty enough for folks who frequent forums…whatever. Rank on scroll please and thanks for those who have ranked and/or given insight into towns…and NOT worried about my reasons or why.

I thought Montana was filled with libertarians, who let people want what they want…and I’ve heard so often about libertarians and western state residents that “ if you leave people alone, they’ll leave you alone….”

So…..

I was the first and so far only person on this thread to rank every town you asked about, so let’s try not coming at me like an entitled boomer, thanks.

And what I said is true. A lot of people are voting with their feet and moving to red states. Montana gets a lot of hyped of right-wingers precisely because of that.

[NDak15]

Originally Posted by letsgobucks!

I have my reasons…. You don’t need to know what those are. Lord have mercy….its a simple task…rank some dang cities or keeps scrolling…thanks!

Maybe ranking cities isn’t chatty enough for folks who frequent forums…whatever. Rank on scroll please and thanks for those who have ranked and/or given insight into towns…and NOT worried about my reasons or why.

I thought Montana was filled with libertarians, who let people want what they want…and I’ve heard so often about libertarians and western state residents that “ if you leave people alone, they’ll leave you alone….”

So…..

I wouldn't count on people in Montana not being nosy. Ever lived in a small town? Montana is one big small town. Plus these questions were relevant.

[ejisme]

Billings - 6 Biggest City in the state. More varied industry, no major university.
Missoula - 3 Lots of growth over recent years. I believe most of it from west coast states and Texas. Home of Montana U. Shutting down the wood products industries has been good for the air quality, but has reduced the number of more conservative blue collar workers.
Great Falls - 6 Hasn't grown as much as other big towns because it's not a pretty mountain city with a beautiful river running through it. Still somewhat of an Air Force town, which brings some diversity without the political implications (Most military vote and are invested in their home states).
Bozeman - 3 Nicknamed Bozeangeles. Probably the biggest number of imports dreaming of the Yellowstone TV life. Sky high real estate that brings a significant number of homeless and drug issues. The super rich that drive the prices up are mostly part-time residents (similar to Sun Valley here in Idaho). Home of Montana State U.
Helena - 5 State capital, but never really felt all that liberal or conservative. Nice midsized city built at the base of the mountains, with a big lake and prairie to the east.
Butte - ? - Haven't spent enough time in the ? cities to make a good judgement
Kalispell - ?
Belgrade - 4 A suburb of Bozeman. All the people that can't afford to live in Bozeman proper head here first. Lots and lots of big apartment and townhouse complexes. Brings the same homeless issues. Visiting the Wal-Mart parking lot will show you the broken down RVs supposedly overnighting.
Whitefish - ?
Anaconda - ?
Havre - 8/9 - A pretty isolated Highline town. Mostly ranch and oil field support town. Pretty conservative group of folks.
Livingston - 4 Another Bozeman suburb, but down the freeway a bit and over a pass. Kind of an artsy and touristy town. Very pretty though and on the main road to the north entrance to Yellowstone NP.
Miles City - 8/9 - I haven't spent much time here, but it is another eastern Montana ranching support town. I assume it would be pretty conservative in its leanings.

I'd add Dillon, MT to your list of towns. It's mostly a ranch and tourist support town for the neighboring smaller towns. Mountains are nearby. The very fishable Beaverhead river runs through town with a nice reservoir a few miles to the south for boating. Lots of less crowded outdoor access all around the area. The small University of Western Montana is in town, which brings a little bit of extra events and an extra level of services. Butte is about an hour north for big box store type shopping (Costco, Home Depot, etc.). Nice newer hospital for basic medical needs. We seriously considered it as a retirement town, but most family has now moved back to Oregon, so we might stay here in Idaho or pick a couple towns in central or eastern Oregon.

[Cody01]

Helena could be about 50/50
Great Falls and Billings right
Most small towns right
All other cities 20,000 or more left.