Montana Clicks (Kalispell, Cut Bank, Colstrip: homeowners association, cheap house, travel)

[JoeJoeMan]

Good points there....
New arrivals of recent days tend to be friendly an open, as they naturally want to make new friends. Years ago I noticed a different attitude of new arrivals...they seemed inclined to more readily want to make friends with natives..because they wanted to be 'in' with the natives....not with other new-comers.
Psuedo-Native types tend to be standoffish, they've got there few friends and don't need anymore, even to the point of not waving back.
Had a neighbor like that, when I mentioned to my other neighbor that so-and-so didn't even wave back....he imediately replied..."That a$$hole...."
I still say there is a certain type of person that Montana tends to attractact...and that is the "I moved here 'cause I don't like people being all around me...so bug off"..............of course that's only one type that moves here.
Jimj, I like and respect your "It's OK to disagree" style, I can see why you'd make a good neighbor.

[sweetinmt]

Originally Posted by aween

Hello, My brother and his family moved (from Los Angeles) to Montana outside of Helena.(5 years ago) They bought a big spread, got horses and tried to live the montana dream. But the thing I wonder about is that, the local people seem so distant and cold when my brother tries to intraduce himself and make friends. He says that the nicest people are his new neighbors that came from a different state. Does this happen to outsiders? Are locals so unhappy to have new comers?

I moved to Helena two years ago after living in Texas for a while. I haven't made many friends here either and think it is definitely hard to do. I only visited Helena one time before I moved here and people seemed friendly but have since noticed that it is very clickish and cold to those from other states. I'm not from California, don't have money (I moved here with just my belongings, live in a one bedroom apartment which is at least a roof over my head and not much more), didn't want to change anything about Montana, and try to be friendly to everyone but I still get the cold shoulder a lot. I even had one lady get me fired from a job by accusing me of things and causing problems then blaming me, because she found out I was from "outside" and was getting help with living expenses here. I can sort of understand being a little wary of people because of the changes brought by more people moving here but that happens almost everywhere. So it isn't just those with money or who want to change things who experience the cold reception here. I don't think it is exclusive of Montana though. When I lived in Texas I experienced much the same thing. Seems like more and more people as a whole are becoming less friendly.
I do find in traveling around Montana rockhounding and working that smaller towns seem to be more open and friendly although that might be different if I was moving in there. I would rather live in the country anyway but for now I have no choice but to live in my small apartment and keep hoping I'll run into some friendly people.
I've never been one to make a lot of friends or make friends easily so the situation isn't so bothersome although I'd like to make some friends since I am divorced with no kids and my family is several states away from here.

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by GiftShoppeGuy

Reason why I mention this, is about 6 years after my first wife died, I ran out and got another.
My first wife was native to the state, just like I am, but my second wife was born and raised in Texas...
I had due concern over whether or not folks would accept her as their own.
--
One day, over in Whitefish we sat down to a BBQ with some of my dear friends and the subject of transplants came up. It comes up a lot over there these days, locals there really do resent the influx by the way...
And my new wife, spoke up questioning her acceptance into Montana, because she knew she wasn't from here.
My friend, very politely put her hand on my wife's hand and said in a very calm voice..."You're just fine, you married him (me) so that makes it alright..."

This is just an outsider's point of view, but it seems to me that some of the "natives" are creating quite a mess for themselves and the future of their beloved Montana. By separating themselves from the transplants, native Montanans are isolating themselves and their culture while creating a rift. As a result, transplants carry on among themselves in a lifestyle that they are used to living. Before long, the transplants far outnumber the natives. The culture of the transplants takes over and the majority ends up making the decisions at the polls each year. All the while, natives sit around and grumble about all of the "outsiders" that are coming in and taking over.

Wake up folks, you're creating the problem yourselves!

[jimj]

you know, I keep thinking of that video that was something like "whay you should know before you move to Montana" and I don't think it's a bad thing. Maybe realtors should be given the video by the state and asked to give one to out of state buyers. Or, maybe a new one needs to be done that sets out what it takes to fit in here.... Other countries have tests about their culture you have to take before you can move......

[JoeJoeMan]

I don't know why people think that people from montana are so friendly - you always hear people say "Oh the people there(montana) are so nice and friendly" - Sorry folks it ain't necessarily so - people from montana are pretty much like people every where - good, bad and indifferent. So don't fall for all the phoney alure about moving to montana and finding all these wonderful people. It's all just another one of those montana myths that don't line up with reality. I think some of the post here prove that.
You'd probably have an easier time of it finding friends in a busy city, come to think of it, I did. And so did a friend of mine who moved from montana to crowded calif...he's made all sorts of friends, probably more than he had here and he's from Montana.......go figure.

[aween]

Well, with my charming personality and quick wit, I could break any montanian and they would immediatly want to be my friend
Unfortunatly though, I can't move there. Beautiful enough, but I can't do snow...waaaa!!
Seriously though, I completely understand the concern of wanting your state to be as natural and as undeveloped as possible.
You all have a gorgeous state to live in and I applause you for wanting to keep it as it always has been

[Gulskjegg]

I am originally from Philadelphia, and having travelled Asia, Europe (East, West and as the Czech's say 'Central'), South America, and North America coast-to-coast (Canada included) Id have to say the people in Montana, or the town of Cut Bank specifically, are the lowest form of life I have yet to encounter. Barely meeting the term "people". Every foul, vile aspect of humanity, they have in abundance.

Backstabbing, falsity, treacherous, gossipy, jealous, petty, hatefull, childish, etc etc.

My wife boiled it down to "They have failed at life, and its easier to blame those outside their pathetically tiny circle then blame themselves". I was amused to read a report on this forum about Colstrip, Montana. It was a carbon copy of everything we experienced! Minus the dead animal on the doorstep and vandalized cars of course.

We have since moved to Kalispell and are having a grand ole' time. Mostly due to the fact that alot of people here aint from Montana.

Shame, too, as we are getting ready to close negotiations on 3 federal contracts (the original reason we moved here). I planned to employ some people and support the local economy. Give back to the community, as it were.

Now? We will go the extra mile to ensure we spend little to none of the profits in Cut Bank, then using the house we have there as a tax writeoff. We get the all the HUBZone and IRS benefits, Cut Bank gets ZILCH!

Couldnt happen to a better pack of scum!

Anyone seeking a true representation of the "small town mindset", go watch the movie Deliverance (1972) with Burt Reynolds and Ned Beatty. Its all you will ever need to understand...everything.

Only in Cut Bank its meth labs (strange explosions every weekend, and the chief of police runnings the whole meth operation!), not illegal whiskey still.

[Gulskjegg]

Originally Posted by mtforestdweller

My experience of MT has been wonderful. I lived somewhere else for decades and never even knew my next door neighbor's names. People in MT have been exceptionally warm and helpful. I even had a "chainsaw fairy" come one time while I was out and cut up and stack a huge tree limb that had fallen in my yard. I never did find out who it was. I've had people sneak in to fill my propane tank anonymously. People are very considerate of my privacy, they don't come to the door much. But, the general rule is, if you're outside in your yard, you're fair game for a chat! I actually built a fence just the height of my elbow so I could have something to lean on for those nice long chats with friends. Montanans smile at me, and we all wave ateach other when driving. Your mileage may vary, but that's been my experience.

Wow! I wanna know what town YOU live in! Sounds like heaven on earth!

[mthawki]

I wish a mod would change the subject of this thread from "Montana Clicks" to "Montana Cliques." When I look at the spelling it looks like a seat belt campaign.

[JoeJoeMan]

Gulskjegg funny you should mention Cut Bank - many moons ago I ran in the same circles with a lot of folks from Cut Bank and up on the highline - they were mostly friends or friends that kind of thing, as they never made the slightest move to making friends with me, with the except a few of them which were pretty nice, so I'd have to agree with you - some of the most unfriendly and stuck on themselves kinda' people I've ever meet to date in Montana. They all thought they were sooo 'cool' to sum it up. I hate to paint with a broad brush but hey that's the way I saw it.....Yes very clickish indeed they were.