If you're a Montana family considering the move to Tennessee, you're not alone. In 2022 alone, over 550 Montanans made the journey south to the Volunteer State—and that number keeps growing. Whether Montana's skyrocketing housing costs finally pushed you over the edge, you're seeking a community that shares your values, or you simply want your kids to experience milder winters, Tennessee—and specifically Cookeville—might be exactly what you're looking for.
But here's what most relocation guides won't tell you: moving to a new state isn't just about finding lower property taxes and better weather. It's about finding a place where your family truly belongs—and that includes finding a church that doesn't just share your conservative values, but actually teaches the Bible seriously, verse by verse.
Why Montanans Are Choosing Tennessee (The Real Reasons)
Let's be honest about why families are leaving Big Sky Country. Montana is beautiful—there's no denying that. But beauty doesn't pay the bills, and it doesn't create the community many families are desperately seeking.
The Financial Reality: Your Dollars Go Further Here
If you've been house hunting in Montana lately, you know the sticker shock is real. Over the past five years, Montana home prices have increased 71%—yes, you read that right. The median home in Montana now costs significantly more than it did just a few years ago, and salaries haven't kept pace.
Tennessee offers immediate financial relief:
No State Income Tax: For a family earning $100,000 annually, Tennessee's zero income tax policy means keeping an extra $5,000-$7,000 in your pocket compared to states with high income taxes. That's real money for your family's future, your kids' activities, or simply breathing room in your budget.
Affordable Housing: Cookeville's median home price sits around $285,000-$320,000. Compare that to Montana's rising market, and you'll quickly see how moving to Tennessee could mean upgrading your living situation while actually spending less.
Lower Cost of Living: Overall, Cookeville's cost of living is about 15% below the national average. From groceries to utilities, your family budget stretches further here.
The Community Factor: Finding Like-Minded Families
Here's something the data won't tell you, but every transplant family knows: moving isn't just about affordability. It's about community. It's about raising your kids around families who share your worldview, your faith, and your commitment to raising the next generation with solid values.
Montana has changed. Maybe you've noticed it too—the shift in culture, the political tensions, the sense that the Montana you remember is slipping away. Many families moving to Tennessee are looking for what Montana used to offer: genuine community, shared values, and neighbors who still believe in traditional faith and family.
Weather Without the Extremes
Let's talk about those Montana winters. Beautiful? Absolutely. Brutal? You know it. Tennessee offers something refreshing: four real seasons without the extreme cold. Average winter highs in Cookeville reach the low to mid-50s, with only about 8 inches of snow annually. Your kids can still play outside in January. You won't need to warm up your car for 20 minutes before driving to church. It's the kind of practical quality-of-life improvement you don't realize you're missing until you experience it.
Why Cookeville Specifically? Small-Town Charm Meets Strategic Location
You didn't leave Montana's wide-open spaces just to end up in urban sprawl. Cookeville offers what many transplant families are searching for: a genuine small-town feel with all the conveniences you need and strategic access to larger cities when you want them.
The Perfect Size: With about 35,000 residents, Cookeville is large enough to have everything your family needs—good schools, healthcare, shopping—but small enough that it still feels like a real community. Traffic? What traffic? You can get anywhere in town in 15 minutes.
Nashville Access: Just 80 miles west on I-40, Nashville is close enough for day trips, airport access, or the occasional big-city experience, but far enough away that you're not dealing with the problems that come with major metropolitan areas.
Outdoor Recreation: If you loved Montana's natural beauty, you'll appreciate Tennessee's own outdoor offerings. Cummins Falls State Park, Burgess Falls, and Center Hill Lake are all within a short drive, offering hiking, swimming, fishing, and stunning waterfalls.
Tennessee Tech University: The presence of a solid university means Cookeville punches above its weight in terms of cultural opportunities, educational resources, and economic stability.
Education: Homeschool-Friendly Tennessee
If you homeschool your kids—or you've been considering it—Tennessee is going to feel like a breath of fresh air.
Tennessee's Homeschool Freedom
Tennessee is classified as a "low regulation state" when it comes to homeschooling. That means the state trusts parents to educate their own children without excessive government interference. Here's what you need to know:
Simple Requirements: File a notice of intent annually with your local school district. That's basically it for paperwork.
No Mandated Curriculum: You have complete freedom to choose what and how you teach your children. The state recommends covering the core subjects (reading, math, science, social studies), but you design your curriculum.
Minimal Testing: Standardized testing is only required in grades 5, 7, and 9—and your child can take these tests at the local public school free of charge.
180-Day Requirement: You need to provide 180 days of instruction with at least 4 hours per day. Keep simple attendance records, and you're compliant.
A Thriving Homeschool Community
What really matters for homeschooling families isn't just the legal freedom—it's the community. Many families at Pilgrim Baptist Church homeschool their children, and they've built a supportive network that newcomers find invaluable.
These are families who've "been there, done that"—they know the challenges of choosing curriculum, balancing multiple grade levels, and helping kids transition socially. Whether you're a seasoned homeschooler or just starting out, you'll find experienced families ready to offer advice, encouragement, and practical help.
Homeschool co-ops and support groups are active throughout Cookeville and the surrounding area, providing opportunities for group classes, field trips, and social activities. Your kids won't miss out on friendships or experiences—in fact, many homeschool families find the social opportunities in Tennessee richer and more values-aligned than what they left behind.
Beyond Values: Have You Considered the Bible Itself?
Now here's where we need to have an honest conversation.
Many families move to places like Tennessee for "conservative values" and "political alignment." Those things matter, and they're worth considering. But let me ask you something: when was the last time you really thought about the Bible—not just conservative principles, but Scripture itself?
The Cultural Christianity Problem
Here's the uncomfortable truth: there are plenty of churches in Tennessee that wave the banner of conservative values but offer little more than shallow, feel-good messages on Sunday morning. They're against all the right things. They vote the right way. They might even say they believe the Bible.
But do they actually teach the Bible? Do they help you and your family genuinely understand God's Word, or do they just assume you already know it?
Many churches have become experts at cultural Christianity—they're great at reinforcing your existing values but weak at actually opening the Scriptures and explaining what God actually said, in context, verse by verse. They preach about success principles, life lessons, and positive thinking, but rarely dig into the depths of biblical truth.
Your Fresh Start Could Include More Than You Think
Here's what makes this move to Tennessee such a unique opportunity: you're already making a fresh start. New state. New home. New community. New church.
What if your fresh start included not just finding a church that shares your values, but finding a church committed to serious, verse-by-verse Bible teaching? What if you could find a place where your family doesn't just hear about the Bible, but actually learns what it says?
The Difference Between Conservative Values and Biblical Christianity
There's a difference between being conservative and being biblical. Conservatism is about preserving traditions and values. Biblical Christianity is about submitting your life to what God has actually revealed in His Word—even when it challenges your traditions, your preferences, or your comfort zone.
Many families discover—sometimes years after moving—that they settled for a church that reinforced their political views but never helped them grow in genuine biblical understanding. Don't let that be your story.
A Transplant Church for Transplant Families
Here's what makes Pilgrim Baptist Church unique in Cookeville: it's not a church for people who've lived here for generations. It's a church made up largely of families who relocated from other states—families just like yours.
We Understand Because We've Been There
Pastor Fortunato and his family didn't grow up in Cookeville. They moved here almost eight years ago specifically to start this church. Many of the families at Pilgrim Baptist are transplants who came from California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and yes, even Montana.
This isn't just a detail—it's fundamental to the church's culture. These families understand:
The challenge of finding community in a new place
The process of helping kids adjust to new surroundings
The practical difficulties of moving across the country
The longing for genuine fellowship with like-minded families
When you visit Pilgrim Baptist, you won't feel like an outsider trying to break into a tightly-knit local congregation that's been meeting together for 40 years. You'll find people who recently made the same decision you're making, who remember what it's like to be the new family, and who are eager to help you establish roots.
An Instant Community That "Gets It"
There's something powerful about being in a church where most members were once newcomers themselves. The culture is welcoming not as a program or a strategy, but because these families genuinely understand what you're going through. They remember being there. They remember needing help. They remember how much it meant when someone reached out.
This creates the kind of instant community many transplant families desperately need but rarely find.
What Makes Pilgrim Baptist Different
If you're going to visit any church in Cookeville, you should know what makes Pilgrim Baptist Church distinct from other options in the area.
Serious Bible Teaching, Not Shallow Messages
This is the heart of everything: Pilgrim Baptist is committed to expository preaching—teaching through books of the Bible verse by verse, explaining what the text actually says in its context, and showing how it applies to your life today.
This isn't about personal opinions or motivational messages disguised as sermons. It's about opening God's Word and actually learning what it teaches. Over time, this kind of preaching transforms how you think, how you live, and how you raise your family.
Conservative Theology Without Compromise
You won't find compromise on biblical truth here. Pilgrim Baptist holds to conservative independent Baptist theology not because it's popular or because it aligns with political preferences, but because it's faithful to Scripture. The church stands firm on biblical authority, salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, the importance of holy living, and the call to separate from worldliness.
Family-Integrated Worship
At Pilgrim Baptist, families worship together. Children aren't shipped off to separate programs while parents enjoy an "adult service." This family-integrated approach reflects biblical patterns and helps parents disciple their own children rather than outsourcing spiritual training to church programs.
Genuine Fellowship Among Families
Because so many members share similar life experiences—relocation, raising kids in a confused culture, seeking genuine biblical community—the fellowship at Pilgrim Baptist runs deeper than casual Sunday morning pleasantries. These families support one another practically and spiritually, especially understanding the unique needs of transplant families still establishing roots in the community.
Your Invitation: Come See For Yourself
If you're still in Montana researching this potential move, or if you've already relocated to Tennessee and are searching for a church home, you're invited to visit Pilgrim Baptist Church.
Before You Visit
The best way to get a sense of the church is to listen to past sermons. You'll quickly discern whether this is the kind of biblical teaching your family needs. Listen to Past Sermons
Take time to hear Pastor Fortunato's preaching style, the depth of biblical exposition, and the practical application to real life. Don't just visit a church because it checks boxes on a list. Visit because you've heard the teaching and believe it's what your family needs.
We're Here to Answer Questions
Whether you're still weighing the decision to move or you're already in Cookeville and searching for a church, feel free to reach out with questions. We understand this is a major decision. We're happy to talk about Cookeville, the church, homeschooling, job opportunities, neighborhoods—whatever would be helpful.
Moving to a new place is overwhelming. Finding a church that genuinely teaches the Bible shouldn't add to that stress.
It's About More Than Changing Your Address
At the end of the day, moving from Montana to Tennessee is about more than swapping your ZIP code. It's about finding where you and your family belong. It's about discovering a community that shares your values and your commitment to God's Word. It's about giving your children a place to grow up surrounded by families pursuing the same goals.
Many transplant families discover that their move to Tennessee wasn't just about escaping high costs or finding better weather—it was God's providence leading them to a place where they could finally grow spiritually in ways they never did before.
Take the Next Step
If you're a Montana family considering the move to Tennessee, we'd love to connect with you. Visit Pilgrim Baptist Church and discover a community of fellow transplants who are committed to conservative values AND serious Bible teaching.
Listen to past sermons to get a sense of the teaching: Pilgrim Baptist Sermons
Reach out with questions about the church, Cookeville, or the relocation process: We understand you're making a big decision, and we're here to help however we can.
When you're ready, come visit us in person: Experience for yourself what it's like to worship with families who understand where you're coming from and are committed to the same biblical priorities.
Your fresh start in Tennessee could include more than you expected. It could be the beginning of genuine spiritual growth for your entire family.
Service Times:
Sunday School: 10:00 AM
Sunday Morning Service: 11:00 AM
Sunday Afternoon Service: 2:00 PM
Thursday Midweek Service: 6:00 PM
Location: Pilgrim Baptist Church, 170 4th Ave. Cookeville, TN 38506
We look forward to meeting you and your family. Welcome to Tennessee—and welcome home.
Pilgrim Baptist Church is an independent, Bible-believing Baptist church in Cookeville, Tennessee, committed to expository preaching, conservative theology, and family-integrated ministry.