New To Montana? Here’s What Not To Do.

When I moved back to Montana a few years ago, there was a lot of chatter about locals versus transplants and the "Go back to where you came from" movement. It seems, at least for the time being, that's calmed down a bit.

Yes, it's still an issue on certain social media sites, but I haven't read anything lately about out-of-state cars being keyed or their tires being slashed, so I would say that's progress.

Every state has its own reputation, good and bad.

Take Texas, for example, where they are taught that everything is bigger (and better) there. Then there is California; we all know how Montanans feel about people from California. What about the folks from the East Coast? Many of them lack the values that we share here in Montana.

How friendly is Montana?

So, how friendly is Big Sky Country? Is it the type of place where you will be welcomed, or is it more of a place where folks keep their eye on you?  I would say it's a little of both. If you come here and partake, try hard to fit in, and live your life without a whole lot of complaining, you'll do just fine.

However, if you come here and start !@#$hing about what we don't have and start listing off things that would make it better here, chances are you're not going to be well received.  Most Montanans don't care where you came from, nor do they care to hear what makes it so great. If it were all that, why wouldn't you stay there instead of moving here?

Here is another hot topic. Driving.

For the love of Pete, if you move here from another state, make sure you aren't an idiot driver. Nothing will get Montanans going quicker than bad drivers. Oh, and that also goes for bad parking. It's not that hard to park a vehicle, and if you're not good at it, then park at the very back of the parking lot.

Of course, there are things we could add to the list, but the bottom line is this: if you move here, remember that was your choice. You're the newbie. You need to adjust to your surroundings, not the other way around.

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Remember, a little common sense goes a long way here.