The apartment search in Bozeman is always a memorable one. Finding something within budget, does it allow pets, is it ground floor, how far from work will I be. The list goes on and on.

Photo by Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd. on Unsplash
Photo by Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd. on Unsplash
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In the last couple of months, rent prices in Bozeman have decreased a bit but are still pretty steep. I am not a fan of paying $2000 plus in rent and having nothing to show at the end of the lease, BUT I also don't have any desire to pay $600k for a townhouse. Personal opinion.

Photo by Naomi Hébert on Unsplash
Photo by Naomi Hébert on Unsplash
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As I continue my search for a two-bedroom that won't break the bank, I have noticed something pretty interesting. Just 6 miles down the road, you can get a pretty decent deal.

I have been looking at a company that has a few different properties here in Bozeman that also have almost brand-new apartments in Belgrade as well. I like the company a lot; I have rented from them before and they were always friendly, and quick to respond, and I didn't feel like I was being ignored.

Photo by MARK ADRIANE on Unsplash
Photo by MARK ADRIANE on Unsplash
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In Bozeman the two-bed two-bath rents for $1900. If you know this market, this isn't unreasonable by any means. That same apartment rents for $1750 in Belgrade; you can actually get a 3-bed, two-bath in Belgrade for $1950. So basically for $50 more dollars a month, you can get an entire extra bedroom.

We all know how the traffic can be on Jackrabbit and Huffine. Is it worth the headache especially in the wintertime?

Photo by Nabeel Syed on Unsplash
Photo by Nabeel Syed on Unsplash
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My predicament is this: do you add the short commute and a little more gas money to save a couple of hundred bucks? Belgrade is a cute town, the people are nice, and clearly, the rent is exceptionally priced considering the last few years.

Belgrade is growing, but the small-town feel seems to be sticking around, and I like that.

Beautiful Montana Cabin For Under $300k? Yep, But There's A Catch

This cute cabin set in the highly desired Hyalite Canyon is listed at $243,000 is a steal of a deal, BUT it does have some stipulations. This remote cabin is a Forest Service cabin and has apparently been standing strong since the early 1900s and is rumored to have been built as a retreat for nurses in 1911.

You will find that this cabin comes with power, phone service, gravity-fed spring water, AND a strongly built outhouse.

So what are the kickers? Unfortunately, Forest Service Residents CAN NOT be full-time. So what does that mean? Basically, you can live here part-time even though you would own the home. You can not make a profit off the house, either personally or commercially, so for the time you are not living there, you also can not rent it out and make some extra income off of it.

There is no financing available for this purchase, as the cabin doesn't qualify for it, you must be a cash buyer.
Lastly, you must be able to obtain an "FS Special Use Permit". This is required because, although you would own the cabin, you WOULD NOT own the land the cabin is on. The land will still belong to the USFS.

Want A Montana Dream Home? This One Will Cost You 30 Million.

Montana has beautiful homes throughout the state, however, Montana is also home to one of the most exclusive gated communities in the world, the infamous Yellowstone Club. Properties are limited, so that means they're very sought after and expensive. Hence, why many of the Yellowstone Club's residents are often A-List celebrities, athletes, and some of the richest people in the world.

Check out this stunning 7 bed/7 full bath Montana home located on 3 acres located in the Yellowstone Club.

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