Possible Job in Hamilton (Missoula, Evergreen: daycares, employment, construction)

[AndersonRM]

Don't forget to stop by Naps Grill on N. 2nd St for THE BEST hamburger ever. Not kidding. Nap's Grill - Hamilton, MT and http://napsgrill.homestead.com/ The building use to be a Blacksmith when I was growing up.

[RogueYak]

If I get the job, Nap's is just two blocks north of my workplace. I surely plan on it!

[RogueYak]

Thanks for the housing referrals, Nature's Cathedral. It also seems that the town is very walkable, which we would really enjoy. As far as everyday shopping, grocery and otherwise, do you have an idea as to where the locals go?

[AndersonRM]

So your office is on Main St. What is the company you are interested in?

In the past year I have bought a pickup from the Ford dealer in Hamilton, site unseen. In years past I have bought bare land from a reputable Real Estate agent, sight unseen. I think you find the businesses in Hamilton very good to deal with. If you need a RE contact for housing PM me and I'll give you a referral. I have no financial interest of any sort in Hamilton any more but I have life long friends whom I trust.

[RogueYak]

Anderson, that's great information, thank you. I am in the interview stage for a Planning position with Ravalli County. If I get the job, we plan on searching for apartments as soon as possible. Nature's Cathedral recommended Cardinal Property Management, who seem to have some nice offerings. I'd love to get out there, and know that Hamilton would be our type of town!

A couple questions about weather- How are summers, and are lightning events frequent? What about winter, how cold and what types of light/cloud conditions? Thanks.

[Montana Griz]

Originally Posted by RogueYak

Anderson, that's great information, thank you. I am in the interview stage for a Planning position with Ravalli County. If I get the job, we plan on searching for apartments as soon as possible. Nature's Cathedral recommended Cardinal Property Management, who seem to have some nice offerings. I'd love to get out there, and know that Hamilton would be our type of town! In addition to utilizing the leads from a Property Mg't firm,I would definitely do a lot of looking on your own. Don't forget......the PM"s first obligation is to THEIR CLIENT.....not to the person looking for a decent place to rent (just MHO). Your qualifications (young married couple, no children and interviewing for a position with Ravalli County), puts you in a 'desireable catagory of renter' vs (xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) again just MHO. Another thought: If you get the job, spread the "word" (bulletin board etc) around the County Building, that you are looking for a suitable rental.............. "I'll bet you a beer at The Brewery", ....that you'll get a lot of choices from that effort.

A couple questions about weather-: "we don't call it "The Banana Belt of Montana" for nothing..........winters (the "La Nina kind" ) can be "a bit-much'........Lightning?:...that's what started the Downing Mountain Fire, just this past month.....yes we do get lightning strikes, and yes they do start wild-land fires here in the Hamilton area..........Hours of daylight?: about the same as where you are in central WA

..If you get the job...........have your wife check with the "School District Office" out on Daly Ave. They might be able to point her in the right direction. Again, just a thought and MHO...

..

[RogueYak]

Griz, thanks for the info. That helps! By the way, a "Top 10 Most Livable US Bargain Markets" article designates Billings as the Banana Belt of the State, due in part to its location in a Valley, which moderates colder temps. Has Hamilton, then, had its title relinquished? If this is true, then every Montana locale within a valley would be considered a "Banana Belt"

[RogueYak]

I guess when I asked about the cloud/light conditions, I was thinking more along the lines of cloud cover in the winter. I know that Hamilton is slightly south of Yakima latitudinally, so day lengths would be similar. Are there sunny days to be had in winter? I do enjoy a crisp, chilly, and sunny winter day. I wouldn't think that the Bitterroot Valley winters would resemble the maritime PNW, but perhaps somewhere between Yakima's sunny winters and Seattle's dark, cloudy winters (with much less rain).

[Montana Griz]

Originally Posted by RogueYak

I guess when I asked about the cloud/light conditions, I was thinking more along the lines of cloud cover in the winter. I know that Hamilton is slightly south of Yakima latitudinally, so day lengths would be similar. Are there sunny days to be had in winter? I do enjoy a crisp, chilly, and sunny winter day. I wouldn't think that the Bitterroot Valley winters would resemble the maritime PNW, but perhaps somewhere between Yakima's sunny winters and Seattle's dark, cloudy winters (with much less rain).

Looking back over the past 31winters....this last one was one of the more mild ones, but bear in mind we were in the "El Nino" portion of the 'long term' weather cycles. This coming winter (and this past summer up to present), indicate we are entering (and already into) the 'La Nina' portion of the cycle..............thus it is my guess (opinion) that this coming winter will be more severe than last winter.....i.e. more snow, more cloudy and foggy (many times Frozen Fog) days and less sunny days than last winter. Again a guess.......Sunny days----maybe 50% of the time. Remember.....where you end up renting in the valley will determine "your specific" weather on a given day. Example: I have one family member that lives on the east side of the valley (12 miles away from me) and is directly east of Hamilton about 3 1/2 miles........another family member is on the west side (as I am) but is 13 miles SSW of my location & about 300 feet higher in elevation...............many many times our SPECIFIC weather conditions differ by a significant amount. I am usually 8 to 10 degrees colder (at 6 am) than either of the other two locations, and don't get as much snow as the east side and the SSW location.

Also, in general (in my opinion)...........the BR valley winters are "overall" more mild than the Billings area..., but the Billings area does (usually) get more sunny days.

[AndersonRM]

I think you can find answers to most of your questions here, http://www.city-data.com/zips/59840.html