Considering Relocation - Great Falls, MT (apartment complexes, renting, lawyer)

[Lifedefieslogic6]

Hello all,

I am currently finishing my final few months of military commitment. I've started job hunting and considering areas I might like to live in the future. I was born and raised on the East Coast and there are definently some nice things out there but I am looking for something new. I've looked at some pictures of areas I am interested and Great Falls, MT just seems to be a nice place to live. I do have some questions if anyone has the time to enlighten me.

I've worked in the Information Technology field prior to my enlistment in the U.S. Army. My current job hunt is for anything IT related whether it be technician or consulting etc..

1. How is the job market in Great Falls, MT for such jobs?

I've spent sometime researching the area and I've used sites like apartments.com and others trying to find some decent 2 bedroom apartments to compare. I intend on purchasing a home once I am more familiar with the area and the housing the market..

2. Are there any recommendations for apartment complexes? I am looking for an area that isn't overly busy with traffic, perhaps an elementary school close by (pending how my custody case resolves) or a park of some sort.

This next question may seem silly but I've never lived in a colder climate like Montana can be. The farthest north I've lived is Pennsylvannia.

3. I currently drive a 2004 Honda Civic. With the cold climate and possibly snowy weather is it recommended to get another vehicle that is more suited for that type of weather? Or does the city keep the streets fairly clear during the winter season?

4. Being single currently I am also wondering if there are places for folks in their mid-upper 20's to meet? I am assuming mainly just bars and restaurants.

5. Local Lawyers. I have a unique need potentially for a Family Law specialized lawyer that is called to the bar in Montana as well as Alberta, CA. It is a unique request I know but I figured there is no harm in asking.

I appreciate any thoughts and comments on this and perhaps will be a resident in the near future.

Matthew,

[bigtrees]

A Honda Civic will probably do fine in Montana in the winter. A lot of people think that trucks work better. The advantage a Honda has is they are front wheel drive cars so they get pretty darn good traction. A lot of trucks (2WD) are rear wheel drive so they don't get good traction without a load of dirt in the back, so they slide all over the place. Also remember that all vehicles are 4 wheel braking so they'll all stop pretty similiar on roads - the big old Hummers don't stop faster than a little Honda Civic on icy roads. They both slide around a lot.

The other thing to consider is you really don't need engine power on icy roads in the winter. Usually people get stuck because the wheels are spinning - in which case your engine is providing much more power than your wheels can deliver to the road. Engine power helps you go up a steep hill at 65 while pulling a trailer, but is close to useless when your stuck in a snowbank. So for most people, buying a set of studded snow tires would be a good move. Really your best defense in winter driving conditions is to drive slowly and carefully. By driving slow, careful, and defensively, you'll avoid far more accidents than you will by buying a big old honking truck.

On the flip side, trucks do have an advantage that their tires sometimes are more aggressive, they are often 4WD, and they are heavier. But I grew up in a family with both cars and trucks, and I found I could take the little Honda Prelude just about anywhere in winter driving.

[rickers]

Your car will be fine unless you're like me and like to drive to the top of fire lookout mountains in December ! I wouldn't advise buying a place and moving a heap of furniture here before renting for a while or at least visiting a few times.