How's life in Libby? (Missoula, Great Falls: real estate market, 2011, apartment)

[Simple Living]

While searching for an apartment here for my final year here in Minnesota, I ran into a lady from Montana and we got to talking. I explained that I want to move out there next year and we talked about what I was looking for.

She said that Libby sounded like a good match for me. I've not looked into Libby before so I thought I would start by asking you folks what you know about Libby. Population, industry, economy, geography, climate, etc.,

Any information to help get me started is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[bigtrees]

Like all parts of Montana, depends on what your looking for. Libby is rural compared to other parts (Flathead Valley, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman). It is traditionally a logging and mining town. They used to mine vermeculite (sp), basically a form of absestos in a mine up there. They finally realized that the mine is a big health hazard and now the entire town + mine is a Superfund site and they are trying to clean everything up. Libby has quite a stimga from that.

In general, I've always considered Libby to be a bit behind the rest of Western Montana. They had one the last gas stations in the US that sold lead gas clear up until the federal deadline.

It's pretty up there but not much reason for existance.

[Simple Living]

Thanks for the information. I'm definitely looking for rural, so I'll keep checking it out. I'm not scared-off so far!

[Simple Living]

No other thoughts, advice or suggestions about Libby?

[seven of nine]

Originally Posted by Simple Living

No other thoughts, advice or suggestions about Libby?

take the advice about the hazardous waste seriously, I did a lot of checking on Libby when we were looking for somewhere in Montana to move to. There are alot of problems affecting the real estate market, schools, employment, city services, (however small )that I would hesitate wanting to deal with. Maybe a more populated area first then do some travel in the state in all seasons, just my opinion, as for me I am farrrrrr east

[Simple Living]

Thank you, seven of nine. I will do that. I wonder, then, why the woman I spoke with recommended Libby. She was older and perfectly kind. She was in Minneapolis looking for an apartment for her grandson. The whole family was so nice. Interesting.

[seven of nine]

Originally Posted by Simple Living

Thank you, seven of nine. I will do that. I wonder, then, why the woman I spoke with recommended Libby. She was older and perfectly kind. She was in Minneapolis looking for an apartment for her grandson. The whole family was so nice. Interesting.

Well it is a beautiful area, maybe some of the information has only been available in the past few years and not being a native I brought it to the forefront when I was doing research. Real estate prices are climbing there as in most of western Mt. I am sure some developer will come along and fix the problem in the meantime i would hesitate but do lots of research there. We actually recieved the local paper for a year which is how the initial information was recieved about the mine and the cleanup. I think there is an ongoing lawsuite between the owners of the mine and the workers and the state also. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Ask about other areas, its is a BIG state, good luck!

[debh2007]

I'm sure I'll take heat for this, but I think that woman might have been in denial. You couldn't pay me all the money in the world to move my family and myself there.
P.O.V. - Libby, Montana | PBS

[seven of nine]

Deb, the truth is just that, thanks for following up the op. I felt that my initial information was correct, this just really is eye opening.

[Simple Living]

Thank you VERY much for the link! I'm at work and can't look at it now, but I will certainly look at it tonight!