We Moved To Montana… Here’s How It Went

Leave a Comment / All Blog Posts / By

Trading Familiar For the Great Unknown...

“Born, raised and proud.” That’s how I used to describe being from Bend, Oregon. Besides a few brief years at Oregon State in Corvallis, I’ve lived there my whole life. Growing up, I spent countless days exploring the rivers, mountains, and forests, thinking there was no better backdrop for life. But as I grew older, that sense of endless possibility began to shrink. What once felt like a tight-knit community started to feel stifling, the familiar faces in town too familiar, the once-vast outdoors less adventurous and more routine. Bend began to feel like a comfortable cage, a place where growth felt impossible, and suddenly, the mountains that had once been a source of inspiration now felt like barriers. I had outgrown it, and the urge to break free, to discover something bigger and less predictable, became impossible to ignore. It was time to make a change. 

July

I had a steady, well-paying nursing job that was providing us with stability, but inside, I was spiraling. My fiancé was struggling to find consistent work, and while we stayed financially secure, I felt increasingly lost, suffocated by the routine. My passion for nursing had dwindled, and each day I struggled to find my voice and purpose at work. The weight of it all had me craving something, anything, to shake up my life. Then, out of nowhere, we got a text from a friend in Montana about being extras on the set of *Yellowstone*. The show, famous for its rugged portrayal of power and conflict in the Dutton family’s empire, filmed on vast, breathtaking ranches that encapsulated the harsh beauty of the American West. Seeing the show was being shot in Darby, Montana, offered a glimpse into a life that felt so far removed from my own. The shooting schedule clashed with my work, but I was mentally drained, teetering on the edge, desperate for something different. The thought of stepping into that world felt like a lifeline. So, I called in sick—something that was true in more ways than one—and we packed our bags, chasing this wild, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

 
We spent four unforgettable days on set, immersed in the surreal blend of Hollywood fantasy against the backdrop of Montana’s untamed wilderness. The contrast was striking—glamorous camera crews and meticulously crafted scenes set against the rugged, unspoiled beauty of true, wild country. Between takes, we’d sprawl in the grass with other extras, forging new friendships over deep, unhurried conversations about love, life, death, and politics. It felt like stepping back in time, to an era before smartphones dominated every moment, when people actually connected with one another. For 14 hours a day, our phones were out of reach, and in that technology-free silence, I felt like I could truly see the world again. When we weren’t on set, we explored the nearby towns, getting to know the area and its people. We made good enough friends with one of our *co-stars* that invited us to meet their goats on their property and spent the night drinking and laughing. It was a slow, quiet kind of discovery—one that began to open my eyes to a life that felt more real than anything I’d known in a long time.
 
When we returned home, something had shifted inside me. I knew I couldn’t go back to the same routine without trying for something more. So, I started meticulously applying for jobs in the nearby cities, scanning every opportunity that could bring us closer to that wild Montana landscape. Each day, I went back to my mundane nursing job, but my heart wasn’t in it. I was mentally already somewhere else, planning for something bold, something crazy—moving to a town with less than 5,000 people. The idea terrified and excited me in equal measure, but the thought of living in a place where life was simpler, where nature ruled, and where the stars felt closer, made it impossible to ignore. So, quietly, I started preparing for the leap, knowing that once we made the decision, there was no turning back.
 

August

I found a job posting for my dream job as an OB nurse, and cashed in a bunch of my saved-up airline miles for a quick weekend flight to Missoula. The same friend who got us onto the set of Yellowstone graciously let me crash at her place, offering me both a familiar face and a comfortable spot to prepare for the big day. When I walked into the interview, I was a mix of nerves and excitement. I did my best, but afterward, I couldn’t quite tell how it had gone. Still, just being there, having the opportunity to interview for my dream job, left me buzzing with anticipation. I flew back home, hopeful and eager to hear what the next chapter might hold.

A few days later I got the call I was hoping for and accepted the job.

The Yellowstone friend offered us her house to rent from her to help us in the transition, as she was headed South for the winter for a job opportunity. We started packing our boxes. 

September

With the decision made, we took the first haul to our new town, excited but unsure of what the future held. My mom and dad came along to help—they were also moving out of their short-term rental in Bend, so it felt like the end of one chapter for all of us. We signed the lease with our friend, thinking everything was set. But after a few days, it became clear that both sides weren’t entirely comfortable with the arrangement. Rather than let tension ruin our friendship, we made the hard choice to look for a different place to live. With no time to pivot, we left half of our stuff in her house, unsure of what would happen next, drove back to Bend, and flew down to California to finalize the details for our wedding in October. It was chaotic, stressful, and a whirlwind of uncertainty. Between figuring out housing and wedding planning, we felt pulled in every direction, hoping everything would eventually fall into place.
 
In California, we took a much-needed break and spent a few days with family. Choosing our wedding flowers was a bright spot—an afternoon filled with colors, textures, and excitement for our big day. For those few days, we let go of the stress, pretending the uncertainty didn’t exist, savoring each moment with family. But reality loomed over us. We had already given our 30-day notice at our current rental, with only about seven days left to pack up everything and get it to Montana. You never realize how much shit you really have until you try to squeeze it all into a tiny U-Haul. The biggest problem? We still didn’t have a place to live. All we had was a storage unit waiting for us, ready to hold the pieces of our life as we scrambled to figure out our next move.
We flew back home and immediately hit the ground running, frantically packing the rest of our belongings as the clock ticked down on our rental. With no time to spare, we loaded up the car and headed back to Montana, this time without the safety net of a place to land. Once there, we moved everything out of our friend’s house and into a storage unit, feeling the weight of each box as a reminder of how unsettled we still were. Then it hit us—we had no place to sleep. Exhausted and out of options, we booked two nights at a small, local hotel. The room was modest, but it gave us a chance to catch our breath and figure out our next steps. Surrounded by the uncertainty of our situation, we finally sat down and started to plan what would come next, determined to make this work, no matter how crazy it all seemed.
I know... no shoes on the bed. I'm exhausted take it easy on me.
Lukas drove back to Bend for the final load and cleaning, leaving us to finalize the storage unit.
 
Just when we thought our options were running out, my mom found a really cool property outside of town on Furnished Finders that would work perfectly for the four of us. A cozy, inviting space where we can settle in temporarily while Winter knocks on the door until we find permanent place to rent or buy. After weeks of non-stop moving, lifting heavy boxes, and feeling the weight of uncertainty, our bodies ache with exhaustion. But finally, we have a place to land, and the relief has washed over us like a warm wave. We can all begin to breathe again. Even the dogs seem to sigh with relief. We are grateful to have a new space to call home, even if only for a little while. It feels like the chaos is finally settling, allowing us to regroup and start thinking about the next steps with a bit more clarity and hope.
 
Now here I sit writing this in the new house, surrounded by boxes and suitcases. I start the new job on Tuesday. Lukas will be back at our new home base this week, just in time to fly out for our wedding on the 12th. Life has certainly been a whirlwind, but we haven’t shied away from uncertainty—in fact, we’ve embraced it. With every challenge and stressor that has come our way, we’ve faced it with open arms, trusting that it will guide us to where we’re meant to be. Reflecting on this journey, I’ve learned that embracing uncertainty can lead to the most rewarding experiences. Leaving the comfort of Bend and diving into the unknown of a tiny Montana town has taught me the value of stepping outside my comfort zone. Each twist and turn—whether it was the excitement of being an extra on Yellowstone, or the frantic packing and moving—has reinforced the importance of adaptability and resilience. I’ve discovered that it’s okay to lean on family and friends during times of chaos; their support has been invaluable. The challenges we faced, from finding temporary housing to juggling work and personal milestones, have shown me that with each difficulty comes the opportunity for growth. Most importantly, I’ve come to understand that home isn’t just a physical place; it’s about the people we surround ourselves with and the memories we create together.
 

Related Posts

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *