Help (Miles City, Glendive, Hamilton: real estate, home equity, house)

[chevylover]

I have several questions. My father retired to Fallon. Of course his health is failing and making the 17 hour drive from my home in Washington to his home is not something I can keep doing. My father absolutly refuses to move back home ( I can't blame him) So my husband and I are toying with the thought of moving there. Yes, we are the typical Washington "power" couple. High paying jobs, home equity, etc. We are sick of it. My last visit there I realized how relaxed we were and how nice it was to not "keep up apperances" I loved throwing on a ball cap and running around in my dad's beat up Ford. OK I'm rambling. My questions are: Is Meth realy a problem in this area? Why are so many people moving away from this area? Are Terry and Fallon going to become "ghost towns"? I realy liked it there. And no, I have NO desire to change the area. I love it the way it is. I am sick of it taking me 45 minutes to get home when it should only take 10. I am tired of calling the police to report drug deals going on in front of my house, or at my children's bus stop and never seeing an officer show up. I love how friendly every one is there. How willing my father's neighbors were to help out. This is exactly what I have been looking for. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

[UseJeff]

I've personally never liked eastern Montana... but you could consider moving into Miles City, or Glendive. Both are just a hop skip and a jump from Fallon.

From what you've described of your area, you will be moving into an area with significantly less crime. The lesser the population density the happier people tend to be. If you're in a position financially to move, there's really not a huge risk of losing much in real estate in that area. You can build a grandiose house for $200K and have it exactly how you want, and pick your land out...

I think anywhere in Montana is going to have the crap drug issue, and of course plenty of drinking. It might be the only state in the US which has more casinos than Starbucks as well.

I think the drug risk is quite similar regardless of which school your kids attend these days. It's really on you as to how well you've educated and prepared them to stay away from it.

[Rickers]

Take and extended vacation there (more than two weeks) before you pack up and move there, preferably in the winter as well as the summer.

[chevylover]

Thank you for your input. I already have several lots in Terry that my dad bought for me, I would just be building a small house. Like I said, I just want to start living the simple life. I know drugs are a problem every where, I just want to be in a community that cares. Every one where I live pretends they don't see anything. Don't make waves is pretty much the motto. I know I'm going to have a real hard time adjusting to the winters. I love the summers there.

[A Neighbor]

Terry is a great little town. It could use some influx of people, but it does have great whitetail hunting and isn't far from Miles City. All towns in the US have a drug problem. I think that when there are fewer people around it is easier to keep track of who your kids are hanging around and stop it if necessary. It all boils down to you skills as a parent and your ablility to recognise when something is wrong and do something about it. Some of the guys that live in Terry work at the power plant in Colstrip. It's about a two hour drive at most and really isn't that bad. Good luck and hope that you enjoy the calmer, quieter life of Eastern Montana. I know that I do!

[chevylover]

I am so looking forward to it. I am driving over next weekend to check on my dad and drop his van off for him. Won't have much time to look around. I will get there Friday night and leave again Sunday (17 hour drive) It is so hard to leave there. My husband and I have been checking Glendive and Miles City for jobs. We figure the drives won't be bad. Not much different than what we do now, we just won't have to deal with all the traffic.

[chrismford]

Little note for you. The area you are looking at is remote as you have seen I'm sure. There are a lot of drugs out here too and you will likely see good chunck of the population using. Definetly check out the winters, nothing like outside of the arctic.

[michael11747]

well to be fair, montana has taken HUGE steps in the eradication of meth, as well as instituting housing disclaimers for meth when you are purchasing. it is a step in the right direction, and in the future, with rising (and falling) land values, meth will be back to the cheapest lands in the US. montana has historically been a place for rebels (nez perce, blackfeet, freemen, C.U.T.), and people who don't want to be found (kazinski, and meth labs). but the increasing land values in the west are driving out the meth community, and relocating them to the eastern areas, or out of the state altogether. you can read more about the problem here: Montana Meth Project

i am originally from new york, and have run into my share of meth heads since i've been out here, but nothing to warrant a problem. there were more druggies back where i grew up, as i am sure there is where you are from. they don't bother people for the most part, except for the every now and then all night meth bender where you hear about meth heads crashing a car while high, or assaulting a police officer. still, proportionately you will not have to worry about them. i would be more worried about the drinking and driving if i were you...

[Shilohheritagepork]

My husband and I are looking forward to moving to Terry, Fallon area. We also live in the state of Washington. But we are in the NE of the state. But we are swine producer. And looking for more land. My mother in law is moving from Hamilton Mt to Terry. My brother in-law farms outside of Fallon now. The only thing that I'm worried about is the winter months. Good Luck

[emilieboyles]

Prairie County is a great place and you are likely to find what you are looking for.
Call Montana East Reality in Glendive if you are looking for land in the area.

Also, there's a great facebook and twitter, formerly a high-powered petroleum executive living in Terry who recently moved there. His facebook/twitter is bobthegasguy.

The Terry Tribune, the local newspaper is online and you should find some great resources through there as well.

Good Luck and welcome (hopefully) to our area!