Hi everyone. First time posting here. Years ago I lived in Southeast Montana and traveled your state extensively. I have never been able to forget it. We have one child left at home and he is due to ship out to boot camp this November. I have ALWAYS wanted to move back/retire to Montana and have been looking at property down Moon Creek Road. It looks fairly rugged and remote which is exactly what I'm looking for. This land is about 20 miles from the interstate.My questions are about the land itself. Acsess in winter? Drilling a well? Septic system? Are there any local homebulders? I have ordered an Eastern Montana phonebook which should help out some; just wanted to get local ideas first. Thank you for your time.

There are only three season in eastern MT; winter, mud, and drought. Access in the winter and mud can be difficult. Living remote sounds really romantic to a lot of people, but when you have to deal with 20 miles of snow or mud the romanticism vanishes over time. I've seen a lot of people do just what you are talking about and 5 years later sell out the dream house because they don't want to deal with the elements.

It is about 300-600 feet to water. There are two well drilling companies in Miles City; Ron Askin Drilling (406-234-2511) or Higgins Drilling Co. (406) 232-2565) Either one can drill a well for you and will do a great job.

You will have to build your own septic system/leach field. The county sanitarian can provide you with all of the detail on design requirements.

I am sure there are house builders in the area.

[This message has been edited by Richard Bonine, Jr. (6/15/2011)]

Couple of note's to you from my experience as a broker regarding the MC lots.

Power & Phone...
You need to figure out the cost prior to buying a lot.Some lots have both, some don't.

Where it's at...
Again unless it is right off the county road please rely on you own equipment & time to clear the snow, fix the ruts or what ever else happens to get in you road.

It's pretty country out there, good luck.

Richard Bonine summed it up very accurately. I was just over that road Saturday delivering mail.

Yes was well said. Will be many days in the winder when Moon Creek Road will be drifted in, or the Interstate so bad you can't get to town. I not trying to discourage you on moving here, as it is a great community and great country. But if you are not used to very harsh winters you will be in for one hell of a shock.

And if you're not a big fan of driving in mud--and I mean sticky, slippery as snot, gumbo-y mud--Moon Creek may not be the place for you.

It doesn't take much precip at all and that road becomes a mess and can be a real pain to travel even in a 4 WD vehicle, much less a car.

But folks are right, it is beautiful out there...

That is a beautiful area. I know there were a lot of homesites out there. It would be good if you could talk to some one that is living there.

I know alot of people that love the Moon Ck. area. As you know the roads do get bad, but a 4 wheel drive pick-up will make up for the roads. Contractors to Build a home is Ian Seabolt, he is great and well know by everyone. Good at what he does and honest, what more could you ask for. I would however check before buying the water, I have heard that some can't even put a well on there property. No water. So make sure that is in the contract before you buy. Forgot we have had E squared Concrete(Ken or Leonard Espinosa) do our concrete and they did a great job too. I know that we had some come in at lower bids but we have had dealings with several at work where they put cement down and with in a few years we had to have it replace. So be careful with whom you choose for your Concrete.

[This message has been edited by BD (6/15/2011)]

Thank everyone for the nice replies. Richard, what exactly do you mean 'build your own septic'? Does that mean that there has to be an alternative system as opposed to a regular system and that it cannot be done by a contractor? Does the soil in that area not perk? I know in some areas in the east they have what is called Blackjack Soil that does not perk at all and calls for fairly expensive alternative systems. I would really hate to be shot down before I start as I like that area very much, [ also , I don't own my own backhoe, ].Thank you all again for your time.

Sorry if I confused you. I guess I am a do it yourself kind of person. Yes, you can hire a contractor to do this work. You will probably end up with a septic tank and a leach field of some sort. The soil is highly variable in that area. Some soils perk okay, others don't. So, it is important to know exactly what you have to work with before you buy. If you click on my name above this post and send me an email of the legal description, I can look up the soil info for you and give you a general idea of its suitability and perk capability. You will still probably want to have a perk test done to properly size the leach field.