Why live in Montana?

My spouse lived in Montana before we met. I have lived in Oklahoma all of my life. My spouse wants to move back to montana. I have done a lot of research and it looks like it would cost a lot to live in montana. And don't tell me that the view is worth it. We are down in southeast Oklahoma and it is beautiful here. Lots of trees, mountains,rivers and good country living. I would like to know the good things about living in Montana from the people who live there now.

I've been in SW Montana for over 5 yrs now. Lived most of my life in NE Arkansas and Kansas City. I've spent a lot of time in SE Oklahoma and even went to basic at Ft Sill back in 1990.

Yes, it's expensive to live here and people around here think that $8.00 an hour jobs are great. You see people with B.A.'s and even Masters working for pennies on the dollar of what they would make anywhere else in this country.

I would be the last to tell ya the view is worth it since I know that where you are now is just as gorgeous. The view is great here if you can stand the smoke from the forest fires.

But, you asked about the good things. Lot's of space. I go on hikes into the wilderness and see nobody for days. Sometimes it feels like there's nobody on the planet but me. Helps with my PTSD that Iraq gave me.. ha

Seriously though, I do miss Arkansas and would love to move back there. SE Oklahoma even seems very nice to me right about now.