Interesting topic for this forum, but I think we are collectively more wise in where to live that the author of the economic collapse blog.
One area that was not mentioned is the attitude toward travelers.
Montana got a B and I personally experienced extreme police harassment there, without doing anything illegal. I lived there for about 10 years helping Mom. Also, a lot of pollution. Due to refinery pollution, oilfields pollution, asbestos pollution (Libby) and agricultural and mining chemical runoff, not that healthy of a place. Lots of cancer among rural people. One of the top states to get Alzheimers.
On the plus side, there is a highly developed first nations culture due to all the reservations in Montana. The pow wow in Helena is first week in September every year. Camping spots at the fairgrounds. You could often hear native drummers and singers practicing near downtown. We had weekly gathering with drums and smudging at my church.
~crofter
