I would like feedback from those who have lived in other states other than Montana (Missoula: sales, how much)

[Cody01]

I was born in Great Falls, left for military and came back because of family. I am now out of family and really considering leaving Montana or at least Great Falls. Although I have done ok for myself I feel like finacial growth would happen better an area with more money than Great Falls. I would prefer a place with 10 or more acres, forested and some level of waterfront could be creek all the way to ocean. Willing to spend $500k but will need a decent job. I work in sales. Would prefer to not have a high concentration of snakes. I used to live just outside of Great Falls and we fought serious rattlesnake issues. Would also be nice to be close to metro area for good medical but still want to be in the country. I used to really enjoy the public lands for camping but due to how busy this has all gotten I realize I need enough of my own land because there are people everywhere now.

[movedintime]

Yep

[Cody01]

Originally Posted by movedintime

Yep

Care to elaborate?

[Shuffler]

I've been poking around listings with acreage among Midwest & Southern states - they seem to offer more for the money in terms of what we could own. Sales jobs are pretty portable these days, assuming you can be 'remote' and close to an airport for travel, or live within your territory.

Seeing the trajectory of this place (Flathead County), we're already having this discussion of 'where to next?' when wife decides to wind down her career. Not ruling out TN, KY, ARK, the Carolinas. Just spitballing at this point.

Also kicking around CO, UT, AZ, etc. for more sunshine and milder Winters ... but concerned about lack of water.

The expat thing has come up too ... Costa Rica, for example.

[ejisme]

Sadly $500K won't go far near a major/larger metro area. You've been in Great Falls for many years. I was too, though likely not as long as you. You're now used to the low humidity of the Mountain West. What's your take on living in an area of high humidity and high heat for several months of the year?

You might look at suburbs around Minneapolis MN or Milwaukie WI if you want to stay where it's cooler most of the year. Oklahoma City area if you don't mind the high heat and humidity mix for 5 months a year. You can likely get the land for well under $500K. Then, if you find the right property, you could site a mobile/modular home and garage/shop.

[NDak15]

Originally Posted by Cody01

I was born in Great Falls, left for military and came back because of family. I am now out of family and really considering leaving Montana or at least Great Falls. Although I have done ok for myself I feel like finacial growth would happen better an area with more money than Great Falls. I would prefer a place with 10 or more acres, forested and some level of waterfront could be creek all the way to ocean. Willing to spend $500k but will need a decent job. I work in sales. Would prefer to not have a high concentration of snakes. I used to live just outside of Great Falls and we fought serious rattlesnake issues. Would also be nice to be close to metro area for good medical but still want to be in the country. I used to really enjoy the public lands for camping but due to how busy this has all gotten I realize I need enough of my own land because there are people everywhere now.

Consider the Upper Midwest. It's humid in the summer but cold in the winters. It's cheaper than Montana and you can definitely get away from it all. Plus the people are great.

Originally Posted by Shuffler

I've been poking around listings with acreage among Midwest & Southern states - they seem to offer more for the money in terms of what we could own. Sales jobs are pretty portable these days, assuming you can be 'remote' and close to an airport for travel, or live within your territory.

Seeing the trajectory of this place (Flathead County), we're already having this discussion of 'where to next?' when wife decides to wind down her career. Not ruling out TN, KY, ARK, the Carolinas. Just spitballing at this point.

Also kicking around CO, UT, AZ, etc. for more sunshine and milder Winters ... but concerned about lack of water.

The expat thing has come up too ... Costa Rica, for example.

Costa Rica is still a developing country. Good luck if you need medical care and you're not in the capital.

[ejisme]

Here's a beauty... seriously, within long commuting distance from Portland, OR and it's more urban suburbs. Right at your budget, and only a little over 5 acres. No waterfront, but that will be hard to find anywhere at your price.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...48282208_zpid/

Or this land even closer into Portland. Looks like it has a creek on the 7+ acres.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8...22739589_zpid/

There are a few other similar properties around Portland. Also a few around Eugene (Oregon's second city).

Or... go the other direction and there are quite a few like this all around Oklahoma City.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...45289833_zpid/

Give us a bit more about where you want to go, and what your likes/dislikes are.

[Cody01]

Originally Posted by ejisme

Here's a beauty... seriously, within long commuting distance from Portland, OR and it's more urban suburbs. Right at your budget, and only a little over 5 acres. No waterfront, but that will be hard to find anywhere at your price.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...48282208_zpid/

Or this land even closer into Portland. Looks like it has a creek on the 7+ acres.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8...22739589_zpid/

There are a few other similar properties around Portland. Also a few around Eugene (Oregon's second city).

Or... go the other direction and there are quite a few like this all around Oklahoma City.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...45289833_zpid/

Give us a bit more about where you want to go, and what your likes/dislikes are.

Kind suprised how much oklahoma has increased in recent years. Oregon is nice. Coast would be so neat.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by Cody01

Kind suprised how much oklahoma has increased in recent years. Oregon is nice. Coast would be so neat.

Certainly there are areas of Oregon that are wonderful. These days, Portland isn't one of them, judging from the political unrest and huge homeless problem. Personally I like the area between McMinnville and Tillamook, with Salem as the nearest big city (I don't know anything about Salem, though).

A Tillamook property, 34 acres, $175K:
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...1_M92545-69858

I also like the area around Grants Pass and the Rogue River. Here's a nice home under $500K on 5 acres in Grants Pass:
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...6_M24428-78815

If you want to stay in the Northwest I would recommend North Idaho, with proximity to Lake Pend Oreille, lake Coeur d'Alene, the Pend Oreille River, the Clark Fork River, or the Kootenai River. No rattlesnakes in North Idaho! And several good medical facilities. We have property in Clark Fork, so I know the area well. Winters are not as harsh as in Great Falls.

If you just want to stay within the borders of Montana, but in a secluded spot, here's an interesting piece of property in Heron:
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...4_M90903-43041

I know the area, it is absolutely beautiful, and very remote. I've seen a herd of elk right there on Elk Meadows. But you'd have to go to Missoula or Sandpoint for medical issues, I guess.

[ericsvibe]

Hey OP,

I guess I've always done the opposite of you. I look for the best job opportunities, apply, and go where I was hired. I've leaned towards going the places that no one wants to work, that way I can move up. That brought me to Montana. My family and I love it here, but after being here 9 years it's time to move up in my career so we might be moving again. One place I did love, and that has great people and cheap property, is Northern Alabama. We would still be there if the job situation worked out. Look about an hour away from Huntsville, which is growing rapidly. We were in Locust Fork, but there are tons of small towns all over the place. I mean real, honest one stop light towns, with no economic development. I didn't mind the commute, we were in a stunning house on 1.5 acres with a pool. We paid 268k for it. We sold it for 290k during peak COVID where everyone was trying to get into the country. Lakes and rivers all over. Oneonta, Cullman, Guntersville are some of the towns.