Cities around Flathead Lake (Bigfork, Thompson Falls: RV park, apartment, rent)

[Zulu Kono]

Originally Posted by Deeela

We will be moving from Prescott AZ to Flathead lake. Our friends live in Bigfork. Looking on Zillow, rustic homes, or just homes with some character, are hard to find. Maybe one of the cities around the lake would be better for that? Maybe they are just not for sale. Anyway, I'm interested in hearing about pros and cons, please. I already know its beautiful, expensive and there are cold winters. Anything else?

That you're even considering living in Bigfork or somewhere
on Flathead lake implies that you're very wealthy.
You might as well just build that rustic home you're looking for.
Concerning "cities" on the lake, you've got
Polson, which is a rez dump, and that's it.
Places like Somers and Lakeside aren't "cities".

[redmeadow15]

Cities around the lake, hahahaha.

1/2 of the "cities" on the lake are on the Indian Reservation. Your "rich" non reservation towns will be Bigfork, Lakeside, and Somers. You will have to drive 30 minutes to get to Walmart, Target and Costco. We severely lack food and shopping amenities that bigger towns have (the way I like it!). Good luck.

[Deeela]

Originally Posted by NW Crow

Polson has very high crime rates, especially for property crime.

Lakeside and Bigfork would be the typical choices. Crime is less than national average in both, especially on violent crime.

Thank you for your info.

[Deeela]

OK, I guess I should have also said that we love winter. We have lived in several mountainous areas with cold weather. Oh, and BTW, those of you who think they know Prescott...two years ago we had 44" of snow in our mountain house.

[Deeela]

Thanks but I had to laugh. We are NOT wealthy. No way will we build a home. There would be a divorce.

[Deeela]

OK, I did hear this from our friends but thanks.

[Deeela]

Ejisme, OK, I guess I should have also said that we love winter. We have lived in several mountainous areas with cold weather. Oh, and BTW, those of you who think they know Prescott...two years ago we had 44" of snow in our mountain house.

Interesting that you are trying to tell me about Phoenix, ejisme. We actually live 2 hours away and we HATE going there but we have to go once a year for a doctor appt. Have YOU been to Prescott? It is hugely different from Phx. Fyi, our friends have spent TWO winters in Bigfork and love it there.

[Deeela]

Shuffler, But hey, if money's no object and you want to overpay for some mediocre property to live the "MT Dream", go for it. Really? You have no idea about what we might purchase or if we're going for that "MT Dream". Be nice.

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by Threerun

I happen to be in Whitefish now for a conference. 92 today, no wind. I’d take 70 and overcast any day. I can’t stand heat. Ugh.

I’m shocked at the explosive growth around here. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been up this way. Holy crap.

I stayed at Grouse Mountain Lodge and played golf at Whitefish GC across the street. It was nice, I liked the whole place/town but I think winter would be tough up there and I'd bet a lot of those businesses downtown close for the winters.

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by Shuffler

Like I tell anyone asking these very basic "I've heard this or that about x place, what's it really like" ... you really need to put boots on the ground and spend some time here through different parts of the year to really form a picture of what it's like. That can take well over a year or more.

Plenty of stories about folks who made hasty decisions to move to MT, only to later realize they hated the climate, lack of sun, and here in the Flathead, the rampant tourism and hustle/bustle of our short Summer season.

This is solid advice!

I had read a lot on Montana, watched countless Youtube videos and after a 12 day visit realized Montana was a great place but just not a place I'd want to live.

I was in Austin Texas last weekend, probably an equal amount of research and literally in less than an hour I was ready to leave!

I was never seriously moving to either place but the oppressive Texas heat, the homelessness was an instant no for Texas. MT has the real estate shows (Buying Big Sky), it was the getaway fantasy for people but I'd make it a vacation spot rather than a move there spot for me.