Last Best Place? 10 Things That Show Montana Has Gone Downhill

For many years, Montana has been referred to as "The Last Best Place", but the state has changed a lot since its glory days. With all of the newcomers, and state history being erased in exchange for high-rise apartments, does Montana still deserve the title?

The population of Montana has grown substantially in recent years, and many places in the state have become unrecognizable to longtime residents. Bumper stickers that read "Make Bozeman Montana Again" are indicative of a larger problem. It's not just Bozeman, though. Several cities and towns in Montana are changing at a rapid pace.

Get our free mobile app

It's clear that most locals aren't on board with all of the growth and change. If you spend time on social media, you'll find a lot of people telling transplants to turn around and go back to where they came from. There's a growing frustration that is only getting worse, and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.

Recently, Chico Hot Springs, a popular destination for Montanans was sold to an out-of-state investment company from Maryland. That's just one example of cherished places in Montana being so off to the highest bidder. If you're not wealthy, Montana is quickly becoming less welcoming.

I may not be a Montana native, but it's obvious that the state has a lot of problems that it's struggling to deal with. Housing prices are through the roof, and many people can't afford to put a roof over their heads. What's happening? Here are 10 things that show Montana is going downhill.