Colstrip, Montana (Billings, Livingston, Laurel: salons, apartment, house)

[jimj]

Neighbor,
Since you've obviously lived around that area a while how does Great Falls stack up? What are the downsides? Other posters talk only about how wonderful it is but there has to be a down side that someone is honest about..

[GiftShoppeGuy]

Originally Posted by jimj

Neighbor,
Since you've obviously lived around that area a while how does Great Falls stack up? What are the downsides? Other posters talk only about how wonderful it is but there has to be a down side that someone is honest about..

heh heh...
Colstrip isn't even remotely close to Great Falls.

The only downside that I can think of with regard to Great Falls is that we aren't clicky enough around here... we are even way less clicky than Bozeman if you can believe it.

Most of the complaints you will ever hear about Great Falls, come from those who would party too much, are young and board or who have only been here a short while before leaving for the "presumed" faster pace.

If you ever come to settle here, raise a family and other such what-nots, you would end up kicking yourself for not coming on over sooner.... I know I did... It's hard for me to think of all of the time I wasted in Missoula (over 20 years), before finally coming over here. Trust me... I like the mountains and trees about as much or more than the next poor ole sop that happens to wander in... but I like life too... and in Great Falls.... I've got both.

---
It's odd that I've never had a problem, or any problems with places like Colstrip, Hardin, or even Roundup.... I must be one of those "good-ole-boys" all of the city slickers in these forums keep complaining about... I don't know... I've always worn a good pair of S***Kickers and an 8X beaver, maybe these have something to do with it... Or... It could be that I was born here and have been to nearly every little nook and cranny of the state... Or, maybe I just respect the folks for the way they have chosen to think and feel about things.
If someone doesn't like the fact that I might drive a Chevy Truck?... Well, that's never stopped me from doing the 10 step down at the local watering hole.... I don't worry about it.... and neither should you.... you just live your life, and by doing so much as that, one day you'll turn around and wonder where "all of these friends" came from... Being new in a small town can't be an easy thing... you're a dark horse so to speak.... it takes time, folks have to have you around for a good long while sometimes before they warm up, and even then, no one slaps you on the back and hands you a certificate, or stamps yer butt with a seal of approval..... many times, you're in for a good long while, in these small communities before you actually even know about it.

If you get into these smaller towns on the east side expecting to prove something, you might have a bit of trouble with folks ignoring you, but other than that, I can't think of anything else. Just be yourself, don't judge folks who don't talk to you... they will come around eventually. These are small towns that have heard all of the horror stories about Billings, Bozeman and especially Missoula...
These are folks who will look at where you are now, and don't really give an Adam's Off Ox as to where you've been or what you might have done before you got there......They are good, solid communities, worthy of deserved respect. They don't and won't rush out on-the-fly like folks in Missoula or Bozeman do..... Sometimes it takes some bit of time to see any kind of turn-around with folks in these smaller places... If you rush them, in order to get them to like you, then chances are good that they will go even slower when it comes time to know you.
---

[Gulskjegg]

So its a matter of respect? Tell you what. Let the small towns like Cut Bank and Colstrip get their meth problem under control, then police corruption, and rampant nepotism, also general ignorance...then I will *begin* to have some respect for them.

I come to a small town with the best of intentions and get placed under a microscope by a bunch of slack-jawed hayseeds? I think not. Pigs find mud, everybody gets what they deserve. If your stuck in some dustbowl little town...maybe its for a reason?

A cursory examination of FBI crime statistics tells a story all its own. To all the small town types and apologists...clean up your own act...then point a finger at the splinter in my eye.

I wont hold my breath.

[A Neighbor]

Hey jimj, Sorry for my late reply. As far as Great Falls goes, I've never lived there, but I do have some close friends that are from there and they loved it. I personally have never heard or experienced anything bad about it and also know that there is always Ft. Benton relatively close if your needing a smaller town than Great Falls. Gulskjegg, you are obviously the cause of your own problems with an attitude like that. There is a quote that I am reminded of when I read your note, Live and Let Live. Personally, I am anything but stuck in some dustbowl little town. We here in Colstrip do have a Meth problem just as any other town in MT or America does and we are working on it. We recently got our own police force to curb this problem.

[btroop]

Well from what I've heard about Grat Falls, it seems to be an ideal town. just big enough to give you what you need, yet small enough to have "your space." Great Falls even hosts Montana's first and largest Christian music festival, The Downpour Festival. That says alot about GF.

I would love to move to GF and the reality may happen as I could work in Shelby. I am still digging for info about Shelby and Conrad so if anyone can help, please chime in.

[Born'n'Raised MT]

I think I may have a little bit different perspective on this one. I am a college student who has lived my whole life, thus far, in Colstrip. So if you are moving there with a family this may relate more to what your children may experience. Growing up in this town I was able to ride my bike to the park, come home in after school and not lock my front door behind me, and I know the name of each person I graduated with. Colstrip boasts an excellent Parks and Recreation District, with many parks across town and at least one in each neighborhood (there were two in walking distance from my house). Sports Illustrated recognized Colstrip Parks and Recreation District (CPRD) in their 50th Anniversary issue for their excellence. Plus our community center is now free to anyone living within city limits. CPRD offers many activities to children through out the year including soccer, bastketball, t-ball, softball, baseball, flag football, and a wide variety of art and movement classes during the summer. In addition to CPRD the school system in Colstrip is outstanding. I recieved an excellent education with very good student to teacher ratios. Colstrip Public Schools also are always striving to be as advanced as possible in the technolgy field. High School students also have the oppurtunity to express themselves artistically. In addition to regular art classes the high school also offer a photography class that is outstanding. The school also offers many oppurtunities to expand yourself outside of the general curriculum, such as FFA, Business Professionals of America, and FCCLA. I was able to broaden my horizons and take education based trips through these programs to Washington, D.C. and Dallas, TX. In my time in Colstrip I have seen many people come and go, however many people have also come to stay. Those new comers who I have seen stay are the ones who through themselves whole heartedly into the community to take advantage of all we have to offer. I am sorry to those who did not find Colstrip to be all they had hoped for, but from what I have seen first hand the community has always been excited to welcome new people to our town. Colstrip is a small rural community, much smaller than some people may realize, but I take great comfort that now when I go home if I go to the grocery store, out to eat, or to a high school sporting event there will be many people who still care about me, where I am, and what I am doing now. It takes a community to raise a child, and this community was a big part of my up bringing.

[timeout22]

Originally Posted by Babygonzo

I just thought I would post a warning about Colstrip, Montana. We moved here a year ago with hopes of staying and raising our family, well we are trying to get out of here as fast as we can. This town is very rude to new people. There are actually a group of ladies that pride themselves on pushing people out of town, forcing them to move out of the neighborhood and to surrounding communities. What is really bad is that they are raising their children to behave in this manner as well. My husband works at the plant and when talking with several co-workers about our situation was told this behavior has gone on for years in this town. Thus I would recommend if you want to make some fast money working at a power plant or mine then come work for a while. If you wish to raise a family and meet new people DO NOT MOVE TO COLSTRIP.

I totally agree with you. They preach at how the community needs to grow and develop, then they treat newcomers like crap! This seems to be a real problem here. I am real sick of it! The neighbors won't even say hi when you look at them and say hello. The bank gal is soooo rude. Maybe if they treated people half way descent, they could have a nice community here. That includes newcomers. Not all of them are rude, but I have experienced a lot of rude ones. Also, what is up with the housing prices? What a joke.

[timeout22]

Originally Posted by timeout22

I totally agree with you. They preach at how the community needs to grow and develop, then they treat newcomers like crap! This seems to be a real problem here. I am real sick of it! The neighbors won't even say hi when you look at them and say hello. The bank gal is soooo rude. Maybe if they treated people half way descent, they could have a nice community here. That includes newcomers. Not all of them are rude, but I have experienced a lot of rude ones. Also, what is up with the housing prices? What a joke.

Furthermore, the houses they want to sell have settling problems, popcorn ceilings, crooked walls and floors that are not level. They want over 100,000.00 for these houses that aren't even safe. On the upside, they do have nice new roofs that have been replaced due to the lovely hail storms.

[montanagirlatheart]

I agree that it sucks to live in Colstrip. I lived there for awhile due to my job and I got so depressed I had to move. There was absolutely nothing there for me. The people were not friendly at all. They kind of stuck their noses up at me like they were better than me. Being I'm a single woman it was even worse. Most people there seem to be married with families so life for them probably isn't as miserable. My only saving grace was that Billings was only a relatively short drive to go do anything. I don't drink, so the bar scene was out. I think the only other "recreation" there was the rec center, which is nice. School activities keep families busy, but boy, it was a big downer for me. I have also lived in many towns (including Laurel, which one poster said was clicky and I didn't find it that way at all....nothing like Colstrip!). I would never wish living in Colstrip on my worst enemy!!!!

[hopscotch11]

Originally Posted by montanagirlatheart

I agree that it sucks to live in Colstrip. I lived there for awhile due to my job and I got so depressed I had to move. There was absolutely nothing there for me. The people were not friendly at all. They kind of stuck their noses up at me like they were better than me. Being I'm a single woman it was even worse. Most people there seem to be married with families so life for them probably isn't as miserable. My only saving grace was that Billings was only a relatively short drive to go do anything. I don't drink, so the bar scene was out. I think the only other "recreation" there was the rec center, which is nice. School activities keep families busy, but boy, it was a big downer for me. I have also lived in many towns (including Laurel, which one poster said was clicky and I didn't find it that way at all....nothing like Colstrip!). I would never wish living in Colstrip on my worst enemy!!!!

You are absolutely correct. It is depressing. There is nothing to do. I think if they actually were nice to the newcomers, someone might invest money in the town and they could have things to do. I would never go back there. The people are rude, they have their nose in everyones business, and they think they are better than anyone else. HA! When I say "THEY" that does not include ALL, but alot. I agree with the housing. There are no homes worth buying.