You Won’t Believe What It’s Like to Be Priced Out of California!

After being priced out of California, many are seeking refuge in more affordable states like Montana. Ian Baylon, a 34-year-old tradesman, is one such person. Having lived his whole life in the San Francisco Bay Area, Baylon and his wife decided it was time to move when they could no longer keep up with skyrocketing housing costs. Unlike the tech workers or remote employees often blamed for driving up real estate prices in Montana, Baylon represents a different type of transplant: a working-class tradesman chasing the American dream.

Baylon recalls his days in Crockett, a small Bay Area coastal town, where even the housing prices were steep. He and his wife found themselves in Vallejo, a city known for its bustling pace and occasional violence. Despite holding down solid jobs—Baylon as a granite shop manager and his wife as an esthetician—affording a home in California seemed like a distant dream.

But then came the catalyst for change: a binge of the TV series “Yellowstone.” The couple was captivated by the show’s stunning portrayal of Montana, and they decided to see it for themselves. In February 2022, they booked a trip to West Yellowstone, and their experience was life-changing.

“We had a blast here,” Baylon shares. He decided to check out local job opportunities on a whim. A granite company in Bozeman not only offered him a job but sweetened the deal with a salary of $89,000 a year, plus moving costs and a deposit on a rental home. Within a month, Baylon had landed the job, rented a house, and packed up for Montana.

A Warm Welcome in Big Sky Country

Moving to Montana was a bit of a culture shock for Baylon, but he’s quick to emphasize that it was mostly a positive experience. “People are a lot nicer up here,” Baylon says, noting his initial concerns about being a Mexican American in a predominantly white state. His worries quickly faded as he found that people were welcoming and kind.

One notable moment for Baylon involved a man in a MAGA hat holding the door open for him at a gas station. “Montana is not what people think,” he says, describing Bozeman as a surprisingly diverse place, comparing it to Berkeley, California.

Still, Baylon acknowledges that it’s not all perfect. The younger generation in the college town of Bozeman hasn’t been as friendly as older residents, but overall, he’s had a good experience.

Housing Woes Continue

Although Baylon had hoped moving to Montana would mean finally being able to afford property, he quickly learned that wasn’t the case. “There’s a reason why they call it Boz Angeles,” he jokes, referring to the soaring housing prices in the Gallatin Valley. While renting provides better value than in the Bay Area, buying land or a home is still out of reach for many, including Baylon and his wife.

Labor Shortages and Trades

One aspect of Montana that stood out to Baylon was the demand for tradespeople. In California, competition in his line of work was stiff, but in Montana, it’s a different story. “Here, there’s a huge shortage of labor,” he says. However, he’s found that younger people aren’t as eager to work hard in the trades, which he finds frustrating. “The young kids coming into the trades don’t know jack diddly and they expect everything to be handed to them.”

The Reality of Montana’s Transplants

Baylon is quick to dispel the myth that all transplants moving to Montana are wealthy remote workers. “Not all Montana transplants are the same,” he says. Many, like him, are working-class people who were simply priced out of their home states. He contrasts his experience with that of trust fund babies and tech workers who have flooded the area, buying up properties and driving up costs for locals.

“We’re just regular people, just like you guys,” he emphasizes. For Baylon, the move to Montana wasn’t about living a cushy, remote-work lifestyle but about finding a place where he and his wife could afford to live while still working hard in the trades.

A Dream Worth Chasing

Despite the challenges, Baylon is happy with his decision to move to Montana. The slower pace of life, the natural beauty, and the sense of community make up for the things he misses about California, like the diversity and his friends. On his way home after long workdays, he’s surrounded by snow-capped mountains, rivers, and valleys. “How can you be angry? It’s just so soothing,” he says, reflecting on the peacefulness of his new home.

In the end, Baylon’s story is a reminder that not all transplants are the same. While Montana faces challenges from an influx of wealthy newcomers, there are still plenty of regular, hardworking people like Baylon who move for a better life—just like the locals.