POPULATION 39,282
MEDIAN HOME PRICE $259,500
HOMETOWN HERO Greg Mortenson, co-founder of the Central Asia Institute and founder of Pennies for Peace
THE LIVING: Last year, Bozemanites did something that's rarer in Montana than buying a two-wheel drive: They voted to raise their own taxes so the county could afford to purchase (and then preserve) ranches that might otherwise have been sliced and diced by developers. Translation: They put their money where their boots, bikes, and skis go. Cradled by 10,000-foot peaks, hyaline streams, and ragged wilderness, the fastest-growing town in the state has a bustling college campus and brains to match: Residents may wear cowboy hats, but the Ph.D. rate is twice the national average. Free live music in city parks during summer and community sporting events like the spectacular 20-mile Bridger Ridge Run keep the blood flowing.
THE SKIING: The joke is that there are two seasons here: winter and August. But with two ski areas and 350 inches of annual snowfall, most locals don't mind. Just 20 minutes away, Bridger features backcountry-style big-mountain runs—now with less hiking required, thanks to the new Schlasman's lift (beacons required)—plus 18 miles of nearby cross-country ski trails. Forty-five minutes south of town, Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin offer a combined 5,512 acres of glades and bowls. When the lifts stop running, head to Cooke City or Beartooth Pass for backcountry-corn laps. (And when it all melts, it's time to fish.)
THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Bozeman's too small for any 'hood to be far from anything, but living south of Main can mean living as little as a few hundred yards from trails that run all the way to Yellowstone, 90 miles south.
Comments
The 2000s turned Bozeman from Cowtown into Bozeangeles. Real cowboys and their hats are nearly extinct in Bozeman these days-have been for the last decade or so. The far more common sight is a Boomer tourist wearing a felt Indiana Jones hat (in the summer) and dad jeans, or a mom with 3 kids, each wearing outfits that cost more than your car payment. You can get a house for 259K in Bozeman but you'll be living in a dump next to college rowdies or away from town proper, far away from the trails.
Flag ThisHaving lived in Bozeman for 29 years, I grow more fond of it every year. And my real estate clients agree. Buyers may have looked all over Montana for the perfect town - and they end up here! We have snowy winters, but the sun shines most days. You can attend an opera, a symphony, a Broadway play, see dinosaurs, hear rock bands, country bands, bluegrass, whatever your heart desires. Enjoy fantastic scenery, picnic, shop, dine. Hike, ski, raft, fish, swim, bicycle - an active, alive town!
Flag ThisPeople who call Bozeman, "Bozeangeles" are idiots, and should be sentenced to a decade in East LA. $20M Open Space bonds have been approved in two different elections, the last one being 2004. Bozeman has a good University; we're working on a community college, too. It's got a large middle class who lives here year-round, different from many ski towns. NEW houses regularly sell for 230-325k. The airport has direct flights to 8 or 9 major cities. Don't wear the hat unless you've got the cattle.
Flag ThisThe big secret, keep this place a secret. Bozeman truly is the crown jewel of the entire Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest. Fly fishing, year round skiing (for the die hards), endless hiking, remote people free backcountry, YELLOWSTONE, Big Sky, Bridger Bowl, amazing wildlife, hunting, and affordable living, a community open to new and innovative business, Montana State University. Yes this is Bozeman. But don't tell anyone :)
Flag ThisI moved my family here 5 years ago and Bozeman is a wesome place to raise your children. Total quality of life here. World Class Fly Fishing/Hunting/Skiing, and a great College. If I can be of help to you in your Real Estate needs. Feel free to Contact Dave Everett/Coldwell Banker RCI Realty, at 406-600-0647 or deveretthome@aol.com
Flag ThisBozeman is legit. You can ski year-round and that's the only thing that matters.
Flag Thisalways somewhere in the middle. Yes, you can buy a home for < $300K. Yes, it's likely it will be in a subdivision where walking downtown is a stretch. Tolerant culture (many employees of local enviro non-profits also know how to hunt for their dinner)...but can be tough to find a good job w/ benefits. The PhDs? Many are (happily?) underemployed. Just plan on working longer vs retiring early. Aren't Boomer posers everywhere these days? Just like cooler-than-you students & ski bums
Flag ThisBozeman is also home to one of the best lingerie boutiques in the country - Suelto Boutique. Expert bra fittings, beautiful lingerie, quality swimwear and decadent sleepwear. Shameless self promotion aside, I do want to add that Bozeman has a tremendous downtown full of unique shops, restaurants and galleries. When you visit downtown you will meet the business owners and really get a feel for what it is like to live in this incredible community. 15 years and counting - I love this place!
Flag ThisBozeman is an amazing town with really nice folks that live here. 45 minutes south in Big Sky is Lone Mountain Ranch is over 100km of cross country ski trails- just another great reason to visit!
Flag ThisJust came across this article after researching MSU for graduate studies. Spent two summers living in Yellowstone, which meant spending a decent amount of time in Bozeman. I can say it's one of my favorite towns. Old fashioned Main Street with suburban dwellings around...a University to bring in entertainment through sports and other happenings...surrounding by the beauty of southwestern Montana. I am trying anything in my power to become a full-time resident and make the move from Pittsburgh.
Flag ThisMy husband and I have bought some land an hour away from Bozeman. We are very exited to be taking the summer to build a log cabin ( just for summers for now.) We live in Jacksonville, FL and are sick of the rushed city life. This part of MT sounds wonderful to us. Isn't 350" a heck of a lot of snow?!
Flag ThisPart of wh
Flag ThisPart of why I love Bozeman so much is the awesome backcountry skiing in the area. Lived here for 10 years and I still find new places to ski like 30 minutes from town... http://bozemanskiguide.com/
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