Bozeman Cost of Living Declines

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle ran a story on August 25th about the cost of living in Bozeman. Falling home prices have contributed to a decline in the cost of living here. Housing prices and the cost of living are both are still about 2% above the national average, but that's significantly less than what they have been. Read the article...


Photo by Erik Petersen/Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Historic Southside Properties For Sale in Bozeman

Founded by John Bozeman in 1864, the city of Bozeman, Montana, has a very well-preserved historic downtown and neighborhoods. In fact, Bozeman has nine historical districts and more than 40 individual properties are listed on the National Historic Register. Currently, we are listing four properties in historic neighborhoods on Bozeman’s south side, ranging from a starter home or rental property for only $189,000, to an artfully preserved 4,000+ square-foot historic home for $599,000. The south-side historic neighborhoods are close to MSU and to Bozeman’s historic downtown, with its shops, restaurants and art galleries.

305 E. Story

This is a great little rental cottage that is just a few blocks from downtown, and a block away from two great city parks for swimming, hiking, walking the dog and cross country skiing. The summer Farmer’s Market, a great playground and the beautiful new Bozeman Public Library are all nearby. This home has had a solid rental history at $900 and $950 per month for the last 2.5 yrs. Keep it as a steady rental, or do a little re-modeling for a darling starter home. Offered at $189,000. MLS# 167547

722 S. Grand Ave.

Built in 1920, this darling cottage has two bedrooms and one bathroom, beautifully refinished wood floors through most of the home, and new tile floors in the kitchen and bathroom. A large room in the basement with an egress window could have potential to add another bedroom and/or hobby or office space. The large lot has mature trees, a fenced back yard and a detached garage with alley access and extra parking. This cottage was fully re-wired in 2004 and completely re-modeled in 2008. Offered at $269,000. MLS# 171671

502 W. Story

This charming 3-bedroom 2-bath bungalow was built in 1930. It’s close to MSU, downtown and the lovely Cooper Park. The main level has oak floors, 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with new tile and new flooring. The lower level has a separate entrance, an egress window in the bedroom and laundry area, a living room, bathroom and an extra room. It has a 2-car garage as well. This is a great house to remodel or just enjoy it’s historic charm and lovely neighborhood. Offered at $299,900. MLS# 171898

603 S 3rd Ave

This 4190-square-foot house has 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. The home has been beautifully maintained and updated, while minding the integrity of its origin. Original features include the dual interior staircase and welcoming covered front porch. This home features an expansive 2nd floor master suite with a large walk-in closet and claw foot soaking tub, and a very unique 3rd floor suite with a private bathroom. The brilliantly colored main level boasts a spacious living area/family room with lots of natural light, an updated kitchen with Sub Zero refrigerator, sitting area with a wood burning stove, and an extra room, currently used as a bedroom. The dining area adjoins the living area and opens to the very private, south-facing side yard which is completed by a wood deck and mature landscaping. There is plenty of storage throughout this spectacular gem! Offered at $599,000. MLS# 163943.

Click here for more information and photos about each of these properties and more.

It’s Sweet Pea Week in Bozeman

Most people don’t equate the delicate and fragrant sweet pea flower with music, dance, arts and crafts, or theater; but in Bozeman, Montana, Sweet Pea means “Art” with a capital A. The 33rd annual Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts is this weekend, August 6,7 and 8 in Bozeman’s Lindley Park. The mission of the (almost) all volunteer-managed community festival is simply, “to promote and cultivate the arts.” And that it does.

Sweet Pea brings in nationally known music and dance to its Lindley Park stages. This year, Sweet Pea presents big band swing ensemble Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, blues legend Curtis Salgado, Austin singer/songwriter Carrie Rodriguez, and the eclectic and versatile Fishtank Ensemble. The Soul Street Dance Company from Houston, Texas, will perform high-energy street dance, Shakespeare in the Parks, the Intermountain Opera and others will perform theatrical productions, and kids will participate in a Montana Children’s Theatre production of Robin Hood. Kids and family activities, arts and crafts vendors, food concessions (all of which benefit local nonprofit organizations), an art show, a flower show, a parade, a children’s run and a week’s worth of activities leading up to Sweet Pea weekend make this festival truly mind-boggling in its scope.

Last night, Wednesday, August 4, was the Bite of Bozeman, which closed down Main Street so that more than 40 food vendors could set up shop. Thousands of people strolled up and down Main, or sat at long tables together sharing food and listening to the bands that were stationed at various points along the route. Tuesday's Chalk on the Walk brought artists of all ages downtown to decorate the sidewalks along Main Street and last Saturday’s Sweet Pea Ball drew swing dancers in vintage attire to the Emerson Ballroom.

So why is it called Sweet Pea? It was named after the Sweet Pea Carnivals held in Bozeman from 1906 to 1916 (according to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle). The Gallatin Valley had a thriving sweet pea industry and the sweet pea was one of the most popular flowers in the nation in the early 20th century.

Anyone interested in attending this year’s Sweet Pea Festival will need a wristband, which costs $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. You can buy them at Jacob’s Crossing, 424 E Main Street, today, Thursday, August 5, and at the Festival gates starting at 4 pm on Friday, August 6.

For more information, visit http://www.sweetpeafestival.org/ or call the Sweet Pea office at 406-586-4003.

Explore Southwest Montana's Jefferson River Valley

There’s much to explore in this pastoral valley, about 50 miles west of Bozeman.

The Jefferson River is a well-known section of river explored by Lewis and Clark. The river, named by Lewis and Clark for the third president, Thomas Jefferson (their patron at the time) was intended to be called the Jefferson from down near Dillon all the way up to Three Forks. However, the upper section from Dillon to Twin Bridges was re-named the Beaverhead at a later time. Still, the 77 mile section from Twin Bridges to Three Forks is an incredible stretch for bird watching and fishing, and is a great float to take by canoe and experience a bit of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

Between Whitehall and Three Forks, a small side trip takes you to Lewis and Clark Caverns, a Montana State Park well worth a visit. Montana’s first State Park is an underground extravaganza of stalagmites, stalactites, columns and caves. The 2-mile guided tour is naturally air-conditioned and takes about two hours to complete. It’s a perfect break on a hot summer’s day!

Here’s a good website for more information about the Lewis and Clark Trail: http://www.lewis-clark.org/

For the more adventurous—and perhaps for a cooler day—a nice afternoon might be spent soaking at Renova Hot Springs outside of Whitehall. Two hot water springs seep into a side channel of the Jefferson River just a few miles south of Whitehall, along Point of Rocks Road. Volunteers have built rock pools around the seeps in the river channel so the hot water and the cool river water mix together to create soaking pools in the 110- to 120-degree range. The stars need to be perfectly aligned, so to speak, so cross your fingers that the river water is flowing at the right level and the right temperature to create the perfect soak. It’s a primitive hot springs, and frequently you can have the place to yourself.

Don’t forget the recreation opportunities in the upper elevations provided by the rugged Tobacco Root Mountains. With 26 peaks over 10,000 feet high, serious mountain climbers and easy family hikers have plenty to explore. This mountain range is about 26 miles long and 18 miles wide and provides nearly unlimited opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, camping, hunting and more.

Here’s a great youtube video of some hiking scenes in the Tobacco Roots:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCbmz1p4qNw&feature=related

Glacier Sothebys has a new listing in the Jefferson River valley, for those intrigued by this area off the beaten path. Check out the Jefferson River Ranch for a beautiful vacation retreat or year-round residence. It’s truly a luxury home and is ready for horses too!
http://www.bridahamcollection.com/property/jefferson-river-ranch/