- [Briggs] Are you looking for an affordable
- [Briggs] Are you looking for an affordable

rural Montana town to buy some real estate?
rural Montana town to buy some real estate?

If you said yes, congratulations.
If you said yes, congratulations.

You clicked on the right video.
You clicked on the right video.

We've been doing a series of videos
We've been doing a series of videos

about great rural towns in the United States.
about great rural towns in the United States.

Since that series started, I've gotten a steady stream
Since that series started, I've gotten a steady stream

of requests for more affordable rural towns.
of requests for more affordable rural towns.

I guess the problem is when something's considered great,
I guess the problem is when something's considered great,

it also tends to be expensive.
it also tends to be expensive.

That is just how the world is,
That is just how the world is,

when something's good and most people want it,
when something's good and most people want it,

it's expensive.
it's expensive.

Sort of like a Calvin Klein tuxedo,
Sort of like a Calvin Klein tuxedo,

goes for around $500 or $600.
goes for around $500 or $600.

And a short-sleeve polyester business suit at Target
And a short-sleeve polyester business suit at Target

goes for 40 bucks.
goes for 40 bucks.

Today, we're looking at affordable rural towns in Montana
Today, we're looking at affordable rural towns in Montana

and why they are so affordable.
and why they are so affordable.

There's always a reason.
There's always a reason.

And the reasons are rarely good.
And the reasons are rarely good.

All right, get it, got it. Good.
All right, get it, got it. Good.

Let's take a look. (number buzzing)
Let's take a look. (number buzzing)

Number five, Darby, Montana.
Number five, Darby, Montana.

Darby's a small rural town in Western Montana,
Darby's a small rural town in Western Montana,

not too far from the Idaho border,
not too far from the Idaho border,

and about an hour south from Missoula, Montana.
and about an hour south from Missoula, Montana.

This is an interesting place that has a downtown
This is an interesting place that has a downtown

that's still rocking that Old West vibe.
that's still rocking that Old West vibe.

Seriously, parts of the downtown
Seriously, parts of the downtown

look like a scene from an Old West movie.
look like a scene from an Old West movie.

In reality, this isn't very unusual for Montana,
In reality, this isn't very unusual for Montana,

or Wyoming for that matter.
or Wyoming for that matter.

They're very proud of their Old West history.
They're very proud of their Old West history.

Not only does it look like a movie set in some areas,
Not only does it look like a movie set in some areas,

they've actually filmed a lot of things here.
they've actually filmed a lot of things here.

In 1989, the movie "Disorganized Crime"
In 1989, the movie "Disorganized Crime"

was filmed in Darby, Hamilton, and Missoula.
was filmed in Darby, Hamilton, and Missoula.

And the series "Yellowstone," that's been filmed.
And the series "Yellowstone," that's been filmed.

That's a great series by the way, if you haven't seen it,
That's a great series by the way, if you haven't seen it,

but that's filmed at the Chief Joseph Ranch,
but that's filmed at the Chief Joseph Ranch,

which is just south of downtown Darby.
which is just south of downtown Darby.

Darby has a population of almost 700 people.
Darby has a population of almost 700 people.

Now, here's, I'm gonna get into the good and the bad here.
Now, here's, I'm gonna get into the good and the bad here.

First of all, Internet in Montana,
First of all, Internet in Montana,

it's not the best in a lot of areas,
it's not the best in a lot of areas,

but they do get Starlink
but they do get Starlink

and I've heard great things about it.
and I've heard great things about it.

So we're gonna kind of exclude the Internet process
So we're gonna kind of exclude the Internet process

from this video, 'cause Montana seems to have it down pat
from this video, 'cause Montana seems to have it down pat

when it comes to Starlink.
when it comes to Starlink.

All right, moving on.
All right, moving on.

Here's the good about Darby.
Here's the good about Darby.

The cost of living and real estate both get a thumbs up.
The cost of living and real estate both get a thumbs up.

Overall, the cost living here is 6% lower
Overall, the cost living here is 6% lower

than the national average.
than the national average.

Homes start around 450,000.
Homes start around 450,000.

But it's hard to find one
But it's hard to find one

that doesn't come with a few acres.
that doesn't come with a few acres.

So if you're looking for just a house
So if you're looking for just a house

with a front yard and a backyard,
with a front yard and a backyard,

it might be a little expensive.
it might be a little expensive.

If you're looking for a place with some property,
If you're looking for a place with some property,

this is pretty cheap.
this is pretty cheap.

Now, granted, you know, you get 20 acres,
Now, granted, you know, you get 20 acres,

it's gonna get up into the million dollars,
it's gonna get up into the million dollars,

but you could find two acres and just an acre,
but you could find two acres and just an acre,

and it's relatively inexpensive.
and it's relatively inexpensive.

Here's the bad.
Here's the bad.

Crime, poverty, income, healthcare all get thumbs down.
Crime, poverty, income, healthcare all get thumbs down.

The total crime rate here is 52% above the national average.
The total crime rate here is 52% above the national average.

31.5% of the population live below the poverty line.
31.5% of the population live below the poverty line.

And the median household income is $26,429 a year.
And the median household income is $26,429 a year.

That's 52% lower than the national average.
That's 52% lower than the national average.

They don't have any hospital or urgent care in town.
They don't have any hospital or urgent care in town.

They do have like a clinic that's got limited hours.
They do have like a clinic that's got limited hours.

If you need a hospital, they got one up in Hamilton,
If you need a hospital, they got one up in Hamilton,

which is about 20 minutes north.
which is about 20 minutes north.

But if you need anything beyond what they could do,
But if you need anything beyond what they could do,

you got about an hour ride up to Missoula.
you got about an hour ride up to Missoula.

(number buzzing)
(number buzzing)

Number four, Dutton, Montana.
Number four, Dutton, Montana.

Dutton is a rural town
Dutton is a rural town

in the flat part of Northwestern Montana.
in the flat part of Northwestern Montana.

It sits between Great Falls and Shelby.
It sits between Great Falls and Shelby.

And it's a great place to live
And it's a great place to live

if you want to get away from it all.
if you want to get away from it all.

All being traffic, crowds, smog, and shopping malls,
All being traffic, crowds, smog, and shopping malls,

things like that.
things like that.

The population sat around 300 in the 2020 census.
The population sat around 300 in the 2020 census.

Dutton is considered the wheat capital of Montana.
Dutton is considered the wheat capital of Montana.

And it's located in what is known
And it's located in what is known

as the Golden Triangle region.
as the Golden Triangle region.

Sounds ominous.
Sounds ominous.

I mean, I get it has to do with wheat,
I mean, I get it has to do with wheat,

but the Golden Triangle?
but the Golden Triangle?

Ever since the Bermuda Triangle,
Ever since the Bermuda Triangle,

anything you throw triangle onto, it sounds kind of weird.
anything you throw triangle onto, it sounds kind of weird.

Here's the bad.
Here's the bad.

Crime, poverty, income, healthcare, all get thumbs downs.
Crime, poverty, income, healthcare, all get thumbs downs.

Their crime rate is 52% above the national average.
Their crime rate is 52% above the national average.

16.7% of their population lives below the poverty line.
16.7% of their population lives below the poverty line.

The only healthcare they got is 25 minutes to the west,
The only healthcare they got is 25 minutes to the west,

and it's a small medical center with an emergency room,
and it's a small medical center with an emergency room,

so that's good.
so that's good.

Anything else you need, you gotta go up to Great Falls,
Anything else you need, you gotta go up to Great Falls,

where they got a legit hospital
where they got a legit hospital

and that's like 40 minutes away.
and that's like 40 minutes away.

Now, the good part about Dutton.
Now, the good part about Dutton.

Household income, cost of living, real estate,
Household income, cost of living, real estate,

all get thumbs up.
all get thumbs up.

41,000 is the household income.
41,000 is the household income.

Now, that doesn't sound like much in most of the country,
Now, that doesn't sound like much in most of the country,

but here with such a low cost of living, it's pretty good.
but here with such a low cost of living, it's pretty good.

The cost of living here is 20% lower
The cost of living here is 20% lower

than the national average.
than the national average.

When you look at real estate,
When you look at real estate,

most pieces of property in town that are for sale now
most pieces of property in town that are for sale now

or that have sold in the last year, I'd say,
or that have sold in the last year, I'd say,

are around 200,000 or below.
are around 200,000 or below.

They got one that's for sale right now for 135,000,
They got one that's for sale right now for 135,000,

one that's 200,000.
one that's 200,000.

And then you start getting up into the places
And then you start getting up into the places

that have some property,
that have some property,

and those go for about 600,000 and up.
and those go for about 600,000 and up.

Dutton doesn't have the greatest crime stats
Dutton doesn't have the greatest crime stats

and some other things,
and some other things,

but really their cost of living and their real estate prices
but really their cost of living and their real estate prices

kind of overshadows the bad.
kind of overshadows the bad.

(number buzzing)
(number buzzing)

Number three, Cascade, Montana.
Number three, Cascade, Montana.

Cascade is a small rural town
Cascade is a small rural town

that sits on the bank of the Missouri River,
that sits on the bank of the Missouri River,

about 30 minutes southwest of Great Falls.
about 30 minutes southwest of Great Falls.

If you like to fish, this is a solid option.
If you like to fish, this is a solid option.

The Missouri River is huge here.
The Missouri River is huge here.

You know, you get to some areas
You know, you get to some areas

where the river gets kind of small.
where the river gets kind of small.

It's a good size here. Plenty of places to fish.
It's a good size here. Plenty of places to fish.

And like all of Montana,
And like all of Montana,

this is also a great area to hunt pheasant,
this is also a great area to hunt pheasant,

whatever you wanna do.
whatever you wanna do.

After that, there isn't a whole bunch to do.
After that, there isn't a whole bunch to do.

They do have a community pool, which is nice.
They do have a community pool, which is nice.

You know, reality, I like seeing small communities
You know, reality, I like seeing small communities

that have things like, say, a pool or a skate park.
that have things like, say, a pool or a skate park.

That normally indicates that the local leaders
That normally indicates that the local leaders

are doing a decent job.
are doing a decent job.

Communities need things like that
Communities need things like that

for a whole bunch of different reasons.
for a whole bunch of different reasons.

Sometimes you get local leaders, mayor, city council,
Sometimes you get local leaders, mayor, city council,

whatever, and they only think of costs and efficiency.
whatever, and they only think of costs and efficiency.

And really, a pool or a skate park don't do much
And really, a pool or a skate park don't do much

for the city's financials.
for the city's financials.

I mean, on a spreadsheet, it doesn't look good.
I mean, on a spreadsheet, it doesn't look good.

About 700 people call Cascade home.
About 700 people call Cascade home.

And here's the bad.
And here's the bad.

Both healthcare and crime get a thumbs down.
Both healthcare and crime get a thumbs down.

Their total crime rate is 43% higher
Their total crime rate is 43% higher

than the national average, which is great.
than the national average, which is great.

When it comes to healthcare,
When it comes to healthcare,

they don't have anything in town.
they don't have anything in town.

Anything you need done
Anything you need done

is gonna have to go up to Great Falls,
is gonna have to go up to Great Falls,

around 30 minutes away.
around 30 minutes away.

Now let's take a look at the good.
Now let's take a look at the good.

Cost of living, household income, poverty rate,
Cost of living, household income, poverty rate,

and real estate are all really good here.
and real estate are all really good here.

And they all get a thumbs up.
And they all get a thumbs up.

The cost of living is 14% below the national average.
The cost of living is 14% below the national average.

The median household income is $39,554,
The median household income is $39,554,

which is lower than the national average.
which is lower than the national average.

But the cost of living here is so cheap, it's pretty good.
But the cost of living here is so cheap, it's pretty good.

Only 13.4% of the population here
Only 13.4% of the population here

lives below the poverty line,
lives below the poverty line,

which is almost 2% lower than the national average.
which is almost 2% lower than the national average.

That's great.
That's great.

Now, when it comes to real estate,
Now, when it comes to real estate,

this one's a little strange
this one's a little strange

because they're a little bit expensive, in my opinion,
because they're a little bit expensive, in my opinion,

but they're also right on the river.
but they're also right on the river.

One, you have an old bank building right now
One, you have an old bank building right now

going for $549,000.
going for $549,000.

It's huge, it's a beautiful building,
It's huge, it's a beautiful building,

and it's walking distance to the Missouri River.
and it's walking distance to the Missouri River.

They also have another one that's going for 399,000.
They also have another one that's going for 399,000.

Again, walking distance to the river.
Again, walking distance to the river.

It's brand new.
It's brand new.

That's not bad for $399,000.
That's not bad for $399,000.

I know a lot of people think of an affordable home
I know a lot of people think of an affordable home

is under 200,000.
is under 200,000.

But when it's nice and it's under 500,000, it's pretty good.
But when it's nice and it's under 500,000, it's pretty good.

This is definitely not a bad place to live
This is definitely not a bad place to live

if you can get past the crime rate
if you can get past the crime rate

and you don't have any major health concerns.
and you don't have any major health concerns.

(number buzzing)
(number buzzing)

Number two, Simms, Montana.
Number two, Simms, Montana.

Simms sits about 30 minutes west of Great Falls
Simms sits about 30 minutes west of Great Falls

on the Sun River.
on the Sun River.

This is a very small rural town of about 400.
This is a very small rural town of about 400.

It is laid out how a town should be.
It is laid out how a town should be.

All the official buildings, schools,
All the official buildings, schools,

post office, things like that
post office, things like that

are in the center of town with the homes surrounding it.
are in the center of town with the homes surrounding it.

As towns turn into cities,
As towns turn into cities,

the concept gets a little harder to maintain,
the concept gets a little harder to maintain,

but theoretically, this is how cities should be planned.
but theoretically, this is how cities should be planned.

At least that's what they told me in college,
At least that's what they told me in college,

but they also told me not to come to class hungover anymore.
but they also told me not to come to class hungover anymore.

Now here's the good about Simms.
Now here's the good about Simms.

The cost of living, median household income,
The cost of living, median household income,

and real estate all get a thumbs up in Simms.
and real estate all get a thumbs up in Simms.

The overall cost of living here is 15% lower
The overall cost of living here is 15% lower

than the national average.
than the national average.

Median household income is $44,531 a year,
Median household income is $44,531 a year,

which is lower than the national average a little bit,
which is lower than the national average a little bit,

but in a place with such a low cost of living,
but in a place with such a low cost of living,

that's pretty good money.
that's pretty good money.

And their real estate,
And their real estate,

they don't have a lot for sale right now.
they don't have a lot for sale right now.

Actually they only have one, it's going for 225,000.
Actually they only have one, it's going for 225,000.

And that seems to be the price point for this place
And that seems to be the price point for this place

in general.
in general.

Last year, they sold some homes.
Last year, they sold some homes.

And in 2020, they sold some homes
And in 2020, they sold some homes

right around that same area.
right around that same area.

Let's take a look at the bad.
Let's take a look at the bad.

Crime and poverty both get a thumbs down here.
Crime and poverty both get a thumbs down here.

Their crime rate is 48% higher than the national average.
Their crime rate is 48% higher than the national average.

I don't know if they factored in the teen
I don't know if they factored in the teen

who was just arrested recently
who was just arrested recently

for threatening the entire school on social media.
for threatening the entire school on social media.

That's not good.
That's not good.

But anyway, their crime rate
But anyway, their crime rate

is almost 50% higher than the national average.
is almost 50% higher than the national average.

When you look at the poverty in Simms,
When you look at the poverty in Simms,

19.2% of the population lives below the poverty line.
19.2% of the population lives below the poverty line.

That's not terrible.
That's not terrible.

It's 4% higher than the national average.
It's 4% higher than the national average.

All in all, Simms isn't a bad place to live.
All in all, Simms isn't a bad place to live.

Looks like a very nice, quiet community.
Looks like a very nice, quiet community.

This town was built on a low spot in the Sun River Valley
This town was built on a low spot in the Sun River Valley

and was named after Simms Creek,
and was named after Simms Creek,

which flows into the Sun River, about a mile west of town.
which flows into the Sun River, about a mile west of town.

All right, before we get to number one,
All right, before we get to number one,

don't forget we have another channel called "On this day."
don't forget we have another channel called "On this day."

There is a link down below.
There is a link down below.

Love it if you went over there and watched some videos.
Love it if you went over there and watched some videos.

Don't forget to give this video a big thumbs up too.
Don't forget to give this video a big thumbs up too.

All right, on to number one.
All right, on to number one.

(number buzzing)
(number buzzing)

And number one, Ronan, Montana.
And number one, Ronan, Montana.

Ronan, Montana sits on the Flathead Indian Reservation,
Ronan, Montana sits on the Flathead Indian Reservation,

about 20 minutes south of Flathead Lake.
about 20 minutes south of Flathead Lake.

This is up in the northwest section of Montana.
This is up in the northwest section of Montana.

This whole area sits in a valley, and it's beautiful.
This whole area sits in a valley, and it's beautiful.

I've been here before.
I've been here before.

Well, not to Ronan, but in the towns around there
Well, not to Ronan, but in the towns around there

and to Flathead Lake, this is amazing land.
and to Flathead Lake, this is amazing land.

Winter might get a little harsh.
Winter might get a little harsh.

I've been there in the summer and it was beautiful.
I've been there in the summer and it was beautiful.

Ronan has a population of almost 2,000,
Ronan has a population of almost 2,000,

and it's not a bad place to live.
and it's not a bad place to live.

They got more good than bad here.
They got more good than bad here.

Here's the good.
Here's the good.

Cost of living, real estate, poverty level, and healthcare
Cost of living, real estate, poverty level, and healthcare

all get a thumbs up.
all get a thumbs up.

The overall cost of living here
The overall cost of living here

is 14% below the national average.
is 14% below the national average.

Their real estate is pretty good.
Their real estate is pretty good.

They have a lot to choose from
They have a lot to choose from

and it's not terribly expensive.
and it's not terribly expensive.

Most any home here is gonna be
Most any home here is gonna be

between $300,000 and $400,000.
between $300,000 and $400,000.

Normally around 350.
Normally around 350.

They do have some places that go for about 220.
They do have some places that go for about 220.

They have some really nice places
They have some really nice places

that start off around 500,000 and go up.
that start off around 500,000 and go up.

There's probably 10 places for sale right now.
There's probably 10 places for sale right now.

So you have a lot to choose from.
So you have a lot to choose from.

If you want to go on the outside of town in the rural areas,
If you want to go on the outside of town in the rural areas,

that's where you're gonna find places over 500,000.
that's where you're gonna find places over 500,000.

But in town, you're looking at 350,000 to 400,000,
But in town, you're looking at 350,000 to 400,000,

with the occasional place around 200,000,
with the occasional place around 200,000,

250,000 popping up.
250,000 popping up.

The median household income here
The median household income here

is $37,625 a year.
is $37,625 a year.

That is not bad for a place with decent real estate
That is not bad for a place with decent real estate

and a low cost of living.
and a low cost of living.

One thing I want to mention about the real estate in Ronan,
One thing I want to mention about the real estate in Ronan,

it is on an Indian reservation.
it is on an Indian reservation.

So there are some different rules and laws that apply
So there are some different rules and laws that apply

to owning real estate on the reservation.
to owning real estate on the reservation.

So any real estate agent is gonna be able
So any real estate agent is gonna be able

to tell you all about that.
to tell you all about that.

So make sure you pay attention to what they say.
So make sure you pay attention to what they say.

And they even got a good-sized hospital inside town.
And they even got a good-sized hospital inside town.

It's called St. Luke's, emergency room, all the good stuff.
It's called St. Luke's, emergency room, all the good stuff.

This is a pretty good-sized facility
This is a pretty good-sized facility

for a town of barely 2,000.
for a town of barely 2,000.

And here's the bad.
And here's the bad.

Their crime rate, it gets a big thumbs down.
Their crime rate, it gets a big thumbs down.

Their total crime rate is 71% higher
Their total crime rate is 71% higher

than the national average.
than the national average.

Their violent crime rate,
Their violent crime rate,

which we haven't really talked about on this list,
which we haven't really talked about on this list,

it's 141% above the national average.
it's 141% above the national average.

Good thing they got an emergency room in town.
Good thing they got an emergency room in town.

If you can get past the high crime rate
If you can get past the high crime rate

and high violent crime rate,
and high violent crime rate,

Ronan's not a bad place to live,
Ronan's not a bad place to live,

especially if you into outdoor activities,
especially if you into outdoor activities,

fishing, hiking, camping,
fishing, hiking, camping,

all that good stuff is right there for you.
all that good stuff is right there for you.

All right, that's today's video.
All right, that's today's video.

Hope you guys enjoyed it.
Hope you guys enjoyed it.

Hope you got some information out of it.
Hope you got some information out of it.

Now go out, have a great day.
Now go out, have a great day.

Be nice to each other.
Be nice to each other.