Libby,Montana (Missoula, Great Falls, Helena: crime, homes, buying)

[bbcat]

We are thinking of moving to Libby,Montana from Northern Minnesota.I was stationed at Great Falls in the early 80's.
We would like to know about the crime in the area.We went on the Police website that we saw on another discussion on this website.They had enough break ins and arsons to have us worried.All we want to do is enjoy the beautiful wildlife and nature in the area.We also know every place has its good and bad.Any input would be appreciated and helpful.
Thank You

[citigirl]

I would be worried more about the pollution. Check with the EPA before moving to any city in Montana. There are a lot of hazardous sites they are still cleaning.

Reed Point is still a very active site and unsuspecting buyers are buying homes there without being warned.

[bbcat]

Thank You for the information!We will look into that!

[grannymontanny]

Because of the asbestos issues,I would look into somthing between Libby and Kalispell or Libby and Idaho.Beautifull country.

Originally Posted by bbcat

We are thinking of moving to Libby,Montana from Northern Minnesota.I was stationed at Great Falls in the early 80's.
We would like to know about the crime in the area.We went on the Police website that we saw on another discussion on this website.They had enough break ins and arsons to have us worried.All we want to do is enjoy the beautiful wildlife and nature in the area.We also know every place has its good and bad.Any input would be appreciated and helpful.
Thank You

[AQHA]

I would stay clear of Libby. Bad place for your lungs.

[GiftShoppeGuy]

Their are 3 major superfund clean up sites that I can think of right off the top of my head right now.... In Montana

#1 Lincoln County (Libby)
#2 Missoula County (Missoula)
#3 Silver Bow County (Butte)

I can come up with a few more if I really dug into the paperwork.

(This business of the Milltown Dam in Missoula and the Berkeley Pit is a real mess. They are dredging the Clark Fork and shipping the mercury and heavy metaled earth back to Butte, from whence it came in the first place (broken link)..... and then, just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, the Pit will overflow in a few or more years, 'cause it's filling with water you know, and very polluted acidic water at that, will spill out to only run "downhill" through Butte and right back into the Clark Fork. And I shouldn't forget to mention that the Clark Fork will not only effect areas between Butte and Missoula, no, it all flows downhill, through presumed prestine places like Superior, Noxon, and flows over to Bonner County Idaho and enters the east end of Lake Pend Oreille.)

If you are worried about pollution, or hazardous waste in the ground, these 3 areas are definitely the ones to avoid.

(as a side note.... Why won't anyone ever mention the "huge" landfill "that is quite clearly visible" above Missoula north along the interstate? Missoula gets garbage hauled in from as far away as Lewiston, Idaho to be buried there. Why can't Idaho find someplace to bury their own garbage?)

If you are worried about pollution in the air.... Well, most all of the Western Montana valleys have issues with air quality that are "far" above the national average.....

Well...... I'll jump off of my soapbox now...

[AQHA]

There's also a mining pollution issue in East Helena. I dont know many details on it but I see it in the paper regularly. Problems with the ground water I believe.

[GiftShoppeGuy]

Originally Posted by AQHA

There's also a mining pollution issue in East Helena. I dont know many details on it but I see it in the paper regularly. Problems with the ground water I believe.

Heh Heh... I've been reading about that too..

And here all my buddy's over Missoula way wonder why I got the "H. E. double-toothpick" out of Western Montana... I guess I've just got this thing for drinking clean water and breathing clean air.

[bbcat]

Thank you for the information everybody.We are looking for a place in Montana that has clean Mountains and streams.Wildlife and privacy.Grannymontanny mentioned between
Montana and Idaho,what areas can you recommend.

[citigirl]

I don't think anyone has to worry about the air quality much in Montana....lots of wind. I would however research EPA reports anywhere I was looking to move. Look at the ground water, natural and dumped hazards. I have heard many here say there are a great many cases of MS but I have not researched it yet..