Kalispel vs Missoula (Great Falls, Kalispell, Whitefish: housing, condos, rental)

[sweetmemorypic]

After reading all these threads I get the feeling that Kelispel is rather expensive to live in! Any one out there that can give a a single mom with a teen son any good ideas that won't break the bank would be appreciated.

Also.... what is the predominant religion in Montana, I've visited Washington and found it to really diverse this was nice considering I'm from Utah.

When I first started to research Kalispell I got the impression that it was a small college town, correct me if I'm wrong.

Any info from a great neighbor would be much appreciated

[jimj]

The Kalispell area has a wide range of housing choices from expensive to affordable as does most cities. Kalispell is on the smaller size when compared to most cities elsewhere. There is a junior college here which is expanding. There are several small towns around Kalispell with populations of arround 3-4k with some less than that. Columbia Falls (pop about 4000) has turned into the bedroom comunity for Whitefish and for people who don't want Kalispell. Kalispell has reconfigured their schools and built a new high school while remodling the rest. Unemployment in the Flathead area is runing about 1.5% and jobs for teens are plentyful since some new businesses have moved in and they can start working as young as 14. Wages are mediocre here now, some paying ok and some not but things are slowly changing since they are runing out of workers. Most people don't come here for the money, they come for the quality of life and safety. As for Missoula, it has its place though I wouldn't move there with my child because it's too big and too many strange college people with the usual college attitudes. If you have specific questions you can PM me and I will do my best to answer them.

[snugglebump]

Good luck on your move! I'm trying to find something to rent anywhere thats affordable and preferably near a college/university. So far, looking at newspapers online, missoula and kalispell are really a lot for even 2 bedroom apartments. I don't know what i'm going to do on such short notice. I might have to try nearby areas like Pablo/Ronan,whatever else in that area. I'm running short on days to find something and have to find something fast as I need to get out of this rental in Seattle by August. It sure is hard to find places to rent there when you're out of town. :|

[jimj]

Originally Posted by snugglebump

Good luck on your move! I'm trying to find something to rent anywhere thats affordable and preferably near a college/university. So far, looking at newspapers online, missoula and kalispell are really a lot for even 2 bedroom apartments. I don't know what i'm going to do on such short notice. I might have to try nearby areas like Pablo/Ronan,whatever else in that area. I'm running short on days to find something and have to find something fast as I need to get out of this rental in Seattle by August. It sure is hard to find places to rent there when you're out of town. :|

How cheap do you need?
2-BEDROOM, 1-BATH TOWNHOUSE: Dishwasher, W/D, nice front/backyard, no pets/smoking, $725/month plus deposit
NICE 3-BEDROOM, 2-BATH: On private lot, in Columbia Falls area, $700
FOR RENT: 1 & 2 bedrooms. No smoking, no pets. Whitefish, newer condos. 1st & deposit, $400-$600 per month
2-BEDROOM, 1-BATH: Columbia Falls. Setup & ready to move into, $450/month.

[snugglebump]

LOL Cheaper ..... i'm a college student :|

[jimj]

Originally Posted by snugglebump

LOL Cheaper ..... i'm a college student :|

I don't believe that you will find anything you would want to visit much less actually live in for less than $400 a month. You can't even rent a room for less than that. If you really need to pay less then I don't know what to tell you, maybe look into a dorm at a college you want to attend?
Good luck!

[snugglebump]

I was thinking about a dorm apartment but don't want to be around a bunch of partying college students LOL! $400 to $500 I don't think is bad but if I were going to pay more, i'd rather be renting in Great Falls and staying put I think. Just as long as I can find a temporary apartment in that range for now I think would be fine. The places i've run across were like $700 and $800 for just 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and I about plum fell over! LOL!

[rickers]

You can get an apartment in our town for $250. per month but it's a little over an hour to either Missoula or Kalispell. The hot mineral soaking pools are nice to have close.

[jimj]

Originally Posted by rickers

You can get an apartment in our town for $250. per month but it's a little over an hour to either Missoula or Kalispell.

During the summer or winter?

[rickers]

Right now.