Considering a Move to Kalispell (Whitefish, Lakeside: rentals, condos, homes)

[WacosSon]

Hey all. My wife and I are seriously considering a move to Kalispell. My wife has some family there and every time I've visited (in all 4 seasons) I've been in love with it. I'm originally from a small town in Texas, and she's a southern California girl. We currently reside in so. CA and are getting fed up with the materialism, traffic, rude people and overall attitude of the people here. Been wanting to move to an area with easy access to the outdoors (we hunt, hike and fish), a family atmosphere (a good place to raise kids), and some space. We're in our mid-20's.

My wife works as a marketing coordinator for an architecture firm and I'm a computer technician/network administrator. I understand the job market in MT (like everywhere) is pretty bad, and I'm sure Kalispell will probably be worse. We're going to attempt to line up jobs before we make the move, and probably start off renting something until we get familiar with the area.

Some questions for you guys:
1) What are the rentals like in Kalispell. Will it be hard to find a place suitable to live for a year or two until we decide exactly what we want? Anyone know off the top of their head what 2 bedroom condos or small homes are renting for?

2) Whats the job market like in Kalispell for our professions? Are there many computer companies? How hard would it be to start my own small computer repair firm and do you think there is a market for that there (I'm highly trained and certified and have owned my owned my own companies before)? What about architecture/construction firms?

3) Do you think Kalispell would accept a couple of moderately conservative people looking for a smaller town feel?

4) What do you think will be the hardest part of moving/adjusting there?


Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer. We're wanting to be wise about this and seek every bit of sound help we can. thanks!

WS

[Fodderman]

Hello and welcome!

Originally Posted by WacosSon

Some questions for you guys:
1) What are the rentals like in Kalispell. Will it be hard to find a place suitable to live for a year or two until we decide exactly what we want? Anyone know off the top of their head what 2 bedroom condos or small homes are renting for?

There are lots and lots of places to rent in Kalispell. The price will vary depending on exactly what you mean by "suitable". A decent two bedroom condo/home can probably be had for anywhere between $600-1000 per month. There are a lot of ads for rentals in the Daily Interlake and the Montana Trader, but none of those ads give an address, so you have to take their word that their place is as advertised, make a call, then go out and visit. Personally, I'd go with a property management company. Not having to deal with a possibly annoying and unhelpful owner is worth it to me. Here are a few mgmt companies in the area:

Flathead Property Management "Rentals"
Glacier Management, Rental Property Management in Montana
FiveStar Rentals Vacation Rental Properties.
Residential Commercial and Vacation Rentals in the Flathead Valley, Kalispell, Lakeside

As a bonus, they give you the addresses to the properties so you can drive by and see if you like the place before calling them.

2) Whats the job market like in Kalispell for our professions? Are there many computer companies? How hard would it be to start my own small computer repair firm and do you think there is a market for that there (I'm highly trained and certified and have owned my owned my own companies before)? What about architecture/construction firms?

Not good. There are a few computer repair companies, so there's a market for it, but I'm not sure how big a market (I've always repaired my own stuff). Your main customers would likely need to be businesses and maybe Whitefish resort owners with more money than they know what to do with. Not sure about your wife's occupation.

3) Do you think Kalispell would accept a couple of moderately conservative people looking for a smaller town feel?

Just get your MT driver's license and change the plates on your cars as soon as possible and you'll be golden!

4) What do you think will be the hardest part of moving/adjusting there?

The winters. They last from maybe mid November through March, sometimes through April with possible snow through June. It got to around 20 below this past winter. It seems to either be really cold/icy and not a lot of snow or less cold/icy and more snow. 5-foot snowbanks aren't uncommon when it's snowing. At least the snow doesn't hang around like some other places.

Depending on where you live, you'll probably only need studs on your tires. Maybe not even that if you have a 4WD, don't go out in the worst conditions, and don't drive like a maniac. There are still festivals all throughout the area during winter, so it's not like you'll be stuck at home if you don't want to be.

Another thing you'll need to get used to are the friendly people. It will be a shock. Actually, I think they're probably only just "normal" people. But, coming from So. Cal., where normal = hostile, it can be a shock to the system.