Thinking of Montana relocation, please help! (Billings, Missoula: sales, crime, promotional)

[BPRATT]

Hello. I am needing some local advice or insider information about relocating to Montana. We are looking in the Kalispell area, but have never visited Montana. Of course we would visit multiple times before ever moving. We love the mountains , the wildlife and natural way of life that is being preserved in Montana. We are a bit concerned about the weather difference as we are now located in Nashville, Tennessee. But from the beauty we have seen in just pictures, it is absolutely breathtaking and I can't imagine not being able to adjust. I need some tips on weather and tips on whether or not Kalispell is a good area for raising a family (my husband and I have a 5 year old son and are expecting a new baby currently). Is it hard to live in a place that has an average of only 70 clear/and or sunny days a year versus somewhere like Colorado that has an average of 300 sunny days a year?
Are there any other places in Montana that have fairly mild weather for Montana standards, are good for young families, and have those BEAUTIFUL mountain views? Also, what areas have fairly reasonable costs of living and housing? We are also interested in information regarding crime or if there are any areas that are known for drugs or anything we would want to steer clear of.
We have also considered Colorado and Utah, but Montana is the place that seems to be calling me in my heart. We have no family or friends there, but think it would be a fantastic place to live from what we know of it.
Any other advice or info. is greatly appreciated!!!
Thank you for any help.

[MontanaGuy]

Hello. I am needing some local advice or insider information about relocating to Montana.

That's interesting. I'm a Montana native who now lives in Phoenix and I'm going to move to Nashville. You won't have any problems adjusting to clear sunny days, believe me. I think the biggest problem you might have is that Tennessee is much cheaper than Montana in terms of housing, taxes, etc. It would be wise to really check out all of the pros and cons. Western Montana in particular is becoming quite expensive, especially in the larger towns like Missoula, Bozeman or Kalispell. It's very nice in the Kalispell area because you're near Flathead Lake and it's very scenic but becoming more expensive all the time. In general crime is not a big problem but drugs have become a very serious problem. You might check out the thread about meth in Montana, it's something you should factor into your thinking. I think it might be a good idea to broaden your search to include other states and then take a trip to all of those places to see it first hand. I've lived in Montana, Washington, Colorado and Arizona so I'm pretty familiar with all of those areas. I would also consider Idaho as a possibility, it's a beautiful state and the economy is doing very well. Anyway, good luck and consider all of your options.

[BPRATT]

Thank you very much. This is definitely not a move that will happen overnight. We were hoping to be able to come visit sometime in the next year. I think we need to visit during all seasons and really get a feel of the different seasons and climates. We have many things to consider before making a move this big. We definitely have to get jobs first...from what I have read, that is a must!!! My husband is in the heating and air business and I am a secretary. His company has a branch in Kalispell, which is one of the reasons we were looking in Kalispell and being close to Glacier National Park. We would love to be able to see such wonderful wildlife. In Tennessee all you will see is deer, skunks, raccoons, possums, horses, cows, etc. Nashville is a great city though. All of our family is here and we are both from here. We just can't imagine never living anywhere else in this world and we love the things Montana has to offer families who have family values and people who like a little more solitude and a slower pace of living. I know we must really be careful and do our research if we should be successful. Is the Great Falls area any more affordable and what part of the state is it in? What other cities is GF near?
You said you have lived in Colorado and Arizona. Any advice on those places?
I will check out the Meth in Montana thread. Thanks again for your reply.
Thanks again for your reply.

[GiftShoppeGuy]

I'm afraid that you are not going to get the 300+ days of sun that you might be expecting on the west end of the state. The west has less than half of that amount.

The valleys, including the Flathead, all have inversions in the winter, that trap the dirty air close to the ground. Woodstove burning is even banned during these times. Western Montana valleys are also experiencing poor breathable air during the summer months as a result of increased traffic and overcrowding.

The photos you may have seen, were most likely taken on National Park, or BLM (bureau of land management) land, by a professional photographer.

You will get your 300+ days of sunshine in places like Shelby, Great Falls, White Sulphur Springs and the Billings areas... You may also get a little more wind.

Lewistown, Montana is another great place, just 100 miles due east of Great Falls, and located in the geographic center of the state... Oh, and Lewistown has mountains too, and there are no winter time inversions.

You may do well to just ignore the promotional materials you might have been reading about Montana, and come on up for a visit to see for yourself.

Though Montana does not have a sales tax, you will find that areas around Kalispell do have sales tax. It's called a tourist tax, and more locals get stuck having to pay it than the tourists do.

[BPRATT]

Your reply was so helpful. I will definitely check out the areas you mentioned. Like I said before, my husband's company has a branch in Kalispell, so for the job thing, we were looking there. I have read that Great Falls has better job opportunities, so maybe we could find something there or somewhere else. I know that there is only so much you can take in from promotional items. They are only going to show what they want you to see and know. Same with Nashville. Nashville is great, but it is not just the banjo playing country western town everyone thinks it is. There is lots to do for everyone. If you are seeking the country/western thing, you will have no trouble finding it, but it is not just overwhelming everywhere you look type of thing. I'm sure the same applies for Montana.
The sales tax is nothing new for us here in TN, but would be nice to be without. Thank you again for your insight and suggestions!

[MontanaGuy]

You said you have lived in Colorado and Arizona. Any advice on those places?

Yes, I lived in Denver for seven years and I've been in Phoenix for five. Prices in both areas shot up but have leveled off in the last couple years. Both areas are very desireable in my opinion. Phoenix has the best climate of anyplace I've ever lived but it's really a huge city and you end up driving long distances just to get around town. Denver and the entire area that they call The Front Range is also growing but it's not nearly as big. There's alot to do and the economy is good. You're close to the mountains and there's alot of beautiful areas there. It's definitely worth a visit. I would also consider Boise, Idaho which has a great economy and it's big enough that there's things to do and the climate is not quite as cold as Montana. If you ever want to send me a PM I'll give you any information I can.

[MTbound]

BPRATT,
My family is moving from Nashville to Helena at the end of the summer. I can't take the humidity and allergens here anymore but agree that Nashville is a wonderful place and not like what most people think. My husband is from Billings and we have made some great connections in the Helena area through his parents who both lived in Montana (Billings, Lewistown, Sidney) for 45+ years. I will send you an email with my phone number since we aren't long distance and will be happy to share what I have learned. On one of the "cost of living" calculators Helena has a better cost of living than Nashville.

[BPRATT]

The humidity and allergens here are TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!! Nashville is great, but we ready for a change. What are some of the things that made you choose Helena over some of the other areas you mentioned, if you don't mind me asking? You mentioned cost of living, was that the main factor?

[MTbound]

I have spent time in Billings, Missoula, and Bozeman. My husband wouldn't mind going back to Bilings, but I am originally from the Blue Ridge (Va) and wanted mountains. Missoula and Bozeman both seem pricey but I thought they were each lovely and they seem to be the two most popular spots for out-of-staters. We also looked at Kalispell but it was expensive as well. Helena appears to get more sunshine, they have an orchestra (we have a child who plays violin), the schools are good, and it is halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier. The people we have been in contact with are some of the nicest people I have talked to and very welcoming. I sent you a private message with my phone number if you would like to call.

[MTbound]

Check out the posts from lorelei2873 for info on Helena.