The Bitterroot
Valley region of western Montana, (south of Missoula)
is worth
considering. It still has
some
affordable land, but the out-of-state millionaires who all seem
to want to build 4,000+ square foot log "cabins" are gradually creeping
in and pushing
up prices. Concentrate on small towns along the Bitterroot River,
such as Florence, Stevensville,
Victor, Corvalis,
Pinesdale,
Woodside,
Hamilton,
Grantsdale,
and Darby.
Advantages: Away from the I-90 corridor. Plentiful water and firewood. Great
hunting.
Disadvantages: Even
though it is west of the Great Divide and they call this "Montana's
Banana Belt", this region still has a relatively cold
climate and short
growing season. But at least it is not as severe as
the adjoining
high
country or locales east of the Great Divide.
(Can be
compensated
by building a large greenhouse.) Both the agriculture and
economy are
not as diverse as the Kalispell/Flathead Lake Region.
Grid Up Retreat Potential: 5 (On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best)
Grid Down Retreat Potential: 6 (On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best)
Nuclear Scenario Retreat Potential: 4 (On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best)
