Opinions, please (Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell: for sale, house, employment)

[snowbound2]

Hey, everyone!

I understand the questions I'm asking have likely been asked over and over again. I'm a single dad with an elementary-aged daughter. For years I've wanted to live in Montana or North Dakota. I like the wide-open aspects, the remoteness, and the cold. We both love fishing, and my daughter has expressed an interest in joining me on hunting trips when she's a bit older. Basically, we like the outdoors a lot. She's looking forward to real snow for the first time, and well, I just miss it, having lived in cold places with actual seasons. I currently live in the southwest and cannot tolerate the heat much longer.

As a single dad, will I face any unique stigmas or other weird attitudess from people should we decide to relocate up north?

So far for Montana, I'm intrigued with Havre. The High-Line has that remote quality I'm looking for, yet still has people and amenities. I would be wanting to drive or fly on up and check things out, and perhaps spend a week or so just tooling around the area, meet the locals.

We have modest needs: smaller house, job for me, good school for her. Good hunting, fishing, and general outdoorsy stuff are bonuses.

Am I looking at an area that would be suitable, based on what I've described? I've read the Havre threads, but a lot of them are too busy knocking people from California (I'm not) or discussing stuff other than what the OP asked for. There were some good tidbits in there, however, I'm looking to hear from people that live there now and have a definitive say or opinions on the area. Parents chime in, too. I'd like to hear about the area in terms of kids' stuff, schools, etc.

How different, besides geography, is Havre from Kalispell, and what are the similarities.

As far as North Dakota goes, I'm looking at Valley City and west of Bismarck.

Thanks...

[seven of nine]

What line of work are you looking for? I think that should be your first concern,
We can help you from there.
Kalispell will be more pricey IMO, live your dream, any move means adjustments. Good luck.

[cedar_bluff_tree_farm]

Kalispell and Havre are quite different. Havre is on the east side, so it is drier, flatter, less beautiful, much cheaper. Not many jobs. Kalispell is on the west side, so it is wetter, prettier, grayer in the winter. Also not many jobs. Much more expensive. I saw one house for sale with a Kalispell address for $15 million. More population in Kalispell.

Like the first reply said, focus on your employment and finding the job that will provide the required income for you and your family (your daughter).

[snowbound2]

Thanks for the info, guys. I work in IT, and I can do almost anything short of programming. I'm willing to work for anyone. I'm not asking to make a ton of money, I'm asking for honest, long-term work. We do well on a little.

The reason I'm looking at Havre is because, from what I've read, it's small, conservative, and has everyday people. And, for a small town, it looks to have more than enough amenities.

I'm not looking to live where it's touristy, liberal, etc. We're conservative Christians looking at places that are like-minded. Basically, we're looking for a low-maintenace existence in a small town with good people. As I said, we like the outdoors. We both love to fish, and I hunt as often as I can and as money allows.

Looking for any info on Havre such as economy, schools, lifestyle, etc. It looks like I might not be able to afford Kalispell, and from what I'm reading, it appears to be going the same direction that Cody and Jackson Hole WY is going -- all touristy, the rich moving in, etc. I'd rather avoid all that.

[seven of nine]

Take a look here
Nemont
they are a provider in the east side along with NorthDakota.
Do you understand some challanges of living on a reservation? IF so some of the towns they serve might work.
I like Havre but I think the homes are a bit pricey and they have been going up in the last year.

[mtlogger]

Nothing is as pricey as the Flathead homes (Kalispell, Evergreen, Whitefish). If you're looking for quality education - consider those flat country areas like Great Falls, Billings and Bismarck.

[terry3111]

Originally Posted by snowbound2

Hey, everyone!

I understand the questions I'm asking have likely been asked over and over again. I'm a single dad with an elementary-aged daughter. For years I've wanted to live in Montana or North Dakota. I like the wide-open aspects, the remoteness, and the cold. We both love fishing, and my daughter has expressed an interest in joining me on hunting trips when she's a bit older. Basically, we like the outdoors a lot. She's looking forward to real snow for the first time, and well, I just miss it, having lived in cold places with actual seasons. I currently live in the southwest and cannot tolerate the heat much longer.

As a single dad, will I face any unique stigmas or other weird attitudess from people should we decide to relocate up north?

So far for Montana, I'm intrigued with Havre. The High-Line has that remote quality I'm looking for, yet still has people and amenities. I would be wanting to drive or fly on up and check things out, and perhaps spend a week or so just tooling around the area, meet the locals.

We have modest needs: smaller house, job for me, good school for her. Good hunting, fishing, and general outdoorsy stuff are bonuses.

Am I looking at an area that would be suitable, based on what I've described? I've read the Havre threads, but a lot of them are too busy knocking people from California (I'm not) or discussing stuff other than what the OP asked for. There were some good tidbits in there, however, I'm looking to hear from people that live there now and have a definitive say or opinions on the area. Parents chime in, too. I'd like to hear about the area in terms of kids' stuff, schools, etc.

How different, besides geography, is Havre from Kalispell, and what are the similarities.

As far as North Dakota goes, I'm looking at Valley City and west of Bismarck.

Thanks...

At you very interesting plans. I envy you. At you is болшие which possibilities not at all are available. I wish your of good luck.