Reality Check

[jimj]

Originally Posted by SandyCo

This was great! I think the U.S. foreign policies are a better way to explain why the rest of the world thinks we're a bunch of idiots, but I still love your comment.

Managed growth is a good thing. Runaway, unchecked growth that ends up strangling the life out of everyone and everything is not. The only ones who end up rich are the developers. They don't care how close together the houses are; they're not living there, right? They have their multi-million dollar mansion elsewhere. I sometimes wonder whatever happened to the quaint idea of a social conscience?!

Ah, Los Angeles, the last bastion of greed and debauchery. Hmmm, as for US policies making the world think we're idiots was that the last administration that took all it's cues from the kings of LA, the TV producers? The one that rented out the Lincoln bedroom like it was a super 8? The one who had the chance to delete Osama multiple times before 9-11 and didn't? The one that gave a huge crook Mark Rich a pardon?
Or the current one that stepped in deep dookie with Iraq and continues to smell up the place?

As for managed growth, it depends on how far it's managed. Certainly there will be an uprising if it's done like California or L.A. (not in the same state IMO) becasue people here will not stand for that kind of over regulation and domination of their lives. It seems to me that alot of the "developers" are local folks and quite a few times are developing their own land and the ones who did our subdivison made well over a million. More than they ever would have dreamed of making working their "real" jobs. The developers that I know here don't have huge mansions but they do live well, go on vacation more than most but still work hard.
There are some out of state developers that fit all of the criteria listed above and I wish they would leave, but I think there's less than most think.
Now if your talking about retail developement then yes it's thick and heavy but they follow the people and $$$$.
Manage? Maybe a little.. Like California and L.A. absolutely not!

[NWCountrydancer]

Ladyflyfish,

Thanks for the info. My husband and I are investigating several areas to move to see what would best suit us. I work in administration at a college and he works in CNC machines.

He loves to hunt, fish and mountain bike ride. I like to hike and take pictures. (Or sit by a roaring fire with snow outside reading a good book!)

I will continue to do my research on different areas and will definitely show him the posts here to help us make out decision.

NWCountrydancer

[sternman]

Would appreciate some basic info about Boulder. I lived in central MT for an
extended period, so I am generally acquainted with the area. I am retired
and my 'Social Insecurity', dictates a modest rent figure. I am a single guy and would need a one bedroom apt. My main concern is peace and quiet, no Meth heads( or an inevitable few) and some basic comments about the quality
of life in Boulder. RSVP and much obliged.

[Montanaman1]

Sternman,

Here are some numbers from this weeks "The Whitehall Ledger". Just a little ways south of Boulder:

Two bedroom home...........$400 /month.
Two bedroom apartment.....$250 / month.
One bedroom apartment.....$350 / month.

Been to Boulder on several occasions. It's a nice small town.

[ladyflyfsh]

Originally Posted by Montanaman1

Sternman,

Here are some numbers from this weeks "The Whitehall Ledger". Just a little ways south of Boulder:

Two bedroom home...........$400 /month.
Two bedroom apartment.....$250 / month.
One bedroom apartment.....$350 / month.

Been to Boulder on several occasions. It's a nice small town.

Boulder is about 36 miles from Whitehall. It's smaller than Whitehall and quiet. Right off I-90 and another 30 or so miles to Helena. It's an ok little town.

[TypicalCalifornian]

I just returned from 2 weeks in Montana. Feeling a sense of loss after this great trip I searched out a site like this one. Perhaps I could provide an outsiders view.

When I moved to California in the late 70's, the locals were sure us midwesterners were ruining a good thing. I'm equally certain their parents escaping Oklahoma with Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath crew were greeted with equal enthusiasm.

You live in a great and beautiful place but your constant focus on what you have, who you are, and assaults upon these things makes you smaller somehow. your gritted teeth attitudes would be alien to your parents and grandparents. No matter how true all the fears you have are, they diminish you for having them. (PS I lived here long ago, I know of what I speak).

We have no way of knowing who will stay and who will go when the weather turns, or Hollywood discovers Uraguay, or whatever. I have a Red state heart, lived all over the world, and generally share most of you who post about change. I think those who stay will be conservatives, lefties tend to prefer good roads and bad people, to the inverse.

The police tend to reflect the populations scorn, I was shadowed and watched for my California plates wherever I went. Is there a category of crime yet called "Driving while Californian"?

My Montana grandkids grew up here and were much impressed by my beach house, Disneyland, and good winter weather. They are now in their teens and vow never to leave. They hate the license plates but loved the driving lessons. I feared being stopped for a bring a grandfather taching grandkids how to drive whilst having California plates but we avoided that somehow.

Other trivia:

1. your gas prices are not high nor low.
2. The American economy is not doomed, wrecked or any other such populist silliness. We are strong, prosperous, adaptable, and have amazing institutions. lefties may feel free to go hie under the bed, we'll tell you when it's safe again.
3. Your property is overpriced. I saw homes and land assessed and valued way, way out of proportion to any possible reason. perhaps mtivated by Montana greed? tax reasons? keep pumping up the sale to the benefit of locals?

Anyway I enjoyed my trip, most of you, and the beauty I found. Calm down, it's going to work out win-win for all.

Regards,

Your Typical Californian