Montana relocation: resentment toward newcomers (Kalispell, Whitefish: ski resort, closing, property taxes)

[JoeJoeMan]

sahdes59901 wrote:

that's why I moved to CO. State about 45 miles NE of Denver...very small town etc..only 1 small store....but still have friends back in MT...Kalispell who r getting to get out, can't make a living no more ...can't compete against Contractors from out of state who bring in thier own crews....sucks

First, I'm glad you found a nice place - but you should keep it to yourself, shhhhh, or everyone will come piling in there and you'll have condo's up the wazzou.
Second, that's what I keep trying to tell people - Montana ain't the great place, at least anymore, that people think it is; they'll find the same problems here that they thought they were leaving behind, only they get to look at mountains, like there isn't nice scenery anywhere else.
Anyway the point I try to make to people wanting to move here is simpley --- why keep crowding in to western montana, an continue to exasperate the problem when they could just find and move to another area of the country that is still nice and actually will offer them much more of what they are looking for, in quality of life and cost of living.
Montana WAS the "The last best place", it ain't no more, it is rapidly become, and is in the case of many areas "The first worst place" especialy when it come to the buying a realesate for anyone but the well-off and wealthy.
Such is life in MT these days.

[Montanaman1]

Thank goodness I bought into the "Montana Dream" twenty years ago. When 20 acres was "dirt cheap".

[mark6052]

how about the taxes? how much of an increase have you seen? mine have abot doubled. still not bad,I dont have much, but an increase.

[Montanaman1]

Originally Posted by mark6052

how about the taxes? how much of an increase have you seen? mine have abot doubled. still not bad,I dont have much, but an increase.

Mine started out in the low double digits, they are now in the high double digits. Still "dirt cheap". Pays for the local schools and roads. I feel it is a small price to pay.

[phillious1]

I am so sorry to hear that this is how you feel and that the rich and shameless are ruining mt. I am from california born and raised here, I always loved ca. I am 30 mins. to the beach two hours to the mountains. Sunshine most of the year long, I never wanted to leave ca until I went to Montana this summer to attend a funeral. I fell in love with your state. Yes your prices are more affordable and the people there are sooooo nice! California, when I was growing up was nice, with nice people. Now it is over priced, my kids will never be able to by a house here unless they become lawers or doctors. I can not afford my mortgage, I am hanging on by a thread. I think most people from california just want a normal life. We are tired of this fake fast life. I dont want prices to go up there either, if I move there I want it to stay affordable and friendly so my kids can have a better life. I am sorry on behalf of the bad, selfish californians. We are forced out of calif. by the prices here. The rich that move there are really just looking for a better quality of life but they are so programed to being selfish they dont see the harm that they are doing...maybe the actors that moved there and want to put up a fence need to somehow get a copy of the post you wrote.

[JoeJoeMan]

phillious1 wrote:

my kids will never be able to by a house here unless they become lawers or doctors.

And they won't be able to in Montana either........seriously, lawers here don't make very much. And if you were a doctor, well let me relay a true story, a friend of mine and his brother, a doctor from out of town were talking with a local realestate agent, when the subject of houses selling in the 750k->1m range came up, now mind you they grew up here, but the doctor had moved away and was back on a visit, anyway the realestate agent was asked "and who can aford these houses" - the realesated agent said - "why doctors and lawyers" to which my frined's doctor brother blurted out - "I'm a doctor and I can't afford that" - true story.
The median price in and around western montana is about 220k, meaning you'd have to make about 70k to come at that fresh and get a mortgage, a salary of 70k in western montana is a rare sight indeed. And a 220k house isn't much to look at, meaining you ain't getting very much.
I've had friends that moved to more expensive housing areas of the country and say that when you consider the money you can make there, housing is actually more affordable.
I'll forego anymore examples for now. Suffice to say with all things considered, Montana may be just as, if not more so, as unaffordable to live as california. Don't beleive me ? People are leaving the state all the time for greener financial pastures, but there are always more moving in to take their place. I'm sure many old time montanians will vouch for me on that one.

[JENJEN3565]

Originally Posted by jimj

I've got a question, at whom should I be mad that I was priced out of my home in CA? I would love to go back, or to have stayed for that matter but alas, I can't afford it either..

THIS IS HILARIOUS! I AM IN CA PRESENTLY BUT AS SOON AS I CAN(3-5 YEARS) I AM OUTTA HERE. HOW FUNNY THAT NO ONE HAS BROUGHT THIS UP. ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS NOT A NEW CONCEPT. GUESS IT JUST TOOK A LITTLE WHILE LONGER FOR IT TO HAPPEN TO MONTANA

[JENJEN3565]

Originally Posted by chevylover

http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...ifornians.html

Check out this one from Washington. It's every where. Most people don't want to see their areas change. I have seen the area I grew up in go from farms and fields to Casino's and strip malls. We all tried to fight it, but it did no good. Home prices doubled in less than 2 years. And all the other "great" stuff that came with it. More traffic, high crime..etc. It's happening every where. And it doesn't seem to matter who we elect, because it seems like the minute they are elected they go in the other direction. All we can hope for is that it will eventually stop.

This really does solidify ignorance. I checked the link and am in denial that such anal *****holes are actually voicing their opinion. Repeat after me everyone "California is not a venerial disease, but a state." We are not spreading ok. If everyone checked that link out that you posted you would see an oh so intelligent anti California remark that reads "Californias have destroyed their state with illegals and open borders, mexicans are taking over their territory."... So clearly the uneducated fool answered the question...We are driven out as well. WE have not done anything to ourselves. I am sickened by this.

[Yac]

Calm down, please.
Yac.

[snshyne005]

Hello everyone. Just thought I'd ask a few questions to the people who would know the most. I'm looking into living in Montana once I'm done with college and was just wondering what it's like living over there. I know that a week long vacation isn't the same as living the day to day stuff, so maybe you guys can give me a little information. I'm from Minnesota, and I'm sick of the suburbs and the constant rush and busyness. I've lived in my neighborhood for over two years now and I barely know my next door neighbors! I guess I'm just looking for that small-town, everyone-knows everyone type of living; any suggestions on Mayberry-like towns to live in? I've been reading some of the posts, and I see that the disliking of newcomers is a popular feeling. Why is this? Is it just californians that are frustrating Montana or is it everyone?

Sunshine