Move to Kalispell?

[dreamingbig]

If you had the opportunity for employment in Kalispell, MT would you do it? How is it for families and young children?

What are the pros and cons?

 

[DaveC]

I did four years ago, and other than moving up the road to Whitefish (wifes job) haven't changed a thing, and am happy as a clam.

Kalispell is a nice town. Not big, not small. Efforts are being made to revitalize downtown and make it more walkable. Traffic is bad by Montana standards (not saying much). Elementary schools vary quite a bit in quality. Hedges and Elrod serve the areas immediately around and south of downtown and are the two I recommend when asked. Real estate is rebounding and, depending on where you're coming from, can be a bit hard to swallow.

The downsides are traffic, bad food (that's Montana), long and dark winters, and a very insular feeling. Sometimes I think we're in east-central Kentucky, and that's not a compliment.

Upsides are access to huge, varied wilderness in every direction with few people. The hunting is awesome. The fishing is better. The backpacking and backcountry skiing are better still.

 

[Terrapin]

I lived there for 6 months and didn't love it. It had a weird vibe when I was there. More than anything I hated the company that I was working for. I agree with the bad food, dark winters, and expensive real estate. That being said, it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and the hunting is very good, but you are going to have to drive the get the best of what Montucky has to offer for elk, antelope, and mule deer. Make sure you have solid employment before you go. It seemed like everyone was so enamored with living in Kalispell, that they were willing to work for very little. This means that more than likely you are going to be taking a scenic discount on pay. I ended up bailing out of there the week before elk season in order to preserve my residency in Idaho... killed a bull so it must have been a smart move.

 

[dreamingbig]

Thanks for the responses. It is in the early stages at this point.

 

[mt100gr.]

I live just to the south of there. I have 2 daughters and plan to raise them here just as I was. I have been here my whole life.

For me the list of pros is too long to list. PM me if you'd like.

Cons, I would say, for the most part is it's very seasonal. Count your blessings if you "enjoy" year-round employment. Also, depending on where your home is, it can be very rural. Not knowing exactly what you are used to, I can't say whether that would fit for you. Sometimes in the winter, I won't pass another vehicle on my 7 mile drive to feed cattle. (These aren't cons for me...usually I don't encourage anyone to move here... I like "my Montana" empty. But since you're a Rokslider I will offer what I can.)

Seriously though, PM me if you would like to discuss specifics. I love it here!

 

[dreamingbig]

Thanks mt100gr. I will send you a pm. The employment is not seasonal and the rural feel would fit me like a glove; not sure about the whole family yet.

 

[Browtinemt]

I like "my Montana" empty too, but Glacier National Park is a place everyone should experience. Pro...no sales tax. Con...it sounds like you might have to learn how to cook better. My food is pretty good down here though.

 

[mk_v]

I really like Kalispell, except how cloudy it is. Seems to be always cloudy in the winter. But for the most part people are nice. Close to a lot of outdoor activities, 2 mountains to ski on, glacier park, close to the Bob Marshall, rivers to fly fish, and lots of lakes. Only complaint really is the clouds.

 

[DaveC]

December through February can be grim for sure. I don't know what people who don't ski do. On the other hand it's a natural period of down time to work on projects and hang out with family and friends.

 

[dreamingbig]

How about compared to the Seattle grey? Better/worse/same?

 

[mk_v]

How about compared to the Seattle grey? Better/worse/same?

I would say better. IMO. The winters are very cloudy.

 

[squeekieslayer]

Montana is full... I hear North Dakota is nice though. hahaha

I have family in Kalispell and my mom grew up there. It is as beautiful of contry as you will ever find. There is some very good hunting in the flathead, but it is steep and THICK and wet. Game is spread, but lots of big animals when you find them.

I live in great falls, i absoultely love it despite it not being on everyone's montana dream list. I am 2.5 hour drive from everything MT has to offer, and can hunt deer, elk, birds, bears, wolves... you name it, within 30 minutes.

No sales tax, high property and income tax.

Joe

 

[DIY]

Is bozeman a good area?

 

[squeekieslayer]

Is bozeman a good area?

MEH....
depends on what you are in to. If you like to wear tevas with wool socks, grow out your grey hair, recycle your gum wrappers, listen to hall and oats, and hike in a boonie hat.... Bozeman is your mecca.

Bozeman is the textbook "Montana getaway" town. Nice town, amazing location. You are surrounded by some awesome hunting opportunities within minutes of town. The problem is that EVERYONE wants to live in Bozeman. The cost of living there has to be close to double other places in the state. It is FULL of tourists in the summer. The skiing is great... but now that moonlight is expensive, Bridger is getting over run as well.

I also find that EVERYONE that wants to come out west to hutn big game either starts in Bozeman or Missoula, and for that reason, much of the area that is close to town is pretty high pressure.

If you can't tell, I am a little biased. I only lived there for a few months, but have lots of family there.... that said, I would probably pick it over great falls which is wear I live now. HAHA

Joe

 

[tenth1]

I grew up in Bozeman (hence a slight bias toward Dana Design, Stone Glacier, Mystery Ranch, Kenetrek, FHF, Schnees, ect.) and have spent a lot of time in Kalispell.

Yes, Bozeman is the yuppy capital of Montana, however the Flathead is right behind it and may be vying for the position. Both are extremely beautiful areas with great hunting and general recreation opportunities and if you can find a good paying job in either location, I certainly wouldn't pass on the opportunity.

As far as rural.... They aren't. Only a couple hours from major cities/towns

 

[mt100gr.]

Hey, hey, hey....you can't group "the flathead" into one big up-and-coming yuppy town...whitefish, maybe. But even it doesn't hold a soy, gluten free candle to Bozeman.

 

[jcodyc40]

I think Bozeman and Kalispell are neck and neck for yuppiness. Both have alot of out of state influence and money. Kalispell would probably get my nod to live in simply for its close proximity to Glacier National Park and the Seeley-Swan Valley. Bozeman has alot of great things as well and I worked there for 2.5 years but they have the one thing that I am just not crazy about, the Bobcats. GO GRIZ!!

 

[mt100gr.]

Grizzly alumni here!! And I agree with the advantages of kalispell that you mentioned...great areas. Funny thing: I know out of staters who have visited Glacier more in one summer than I have in my whole life. I guess I take it for granted being only an hour away.

All this world wide web posting about areas so near and dear to me is giving me anxiety!! The forest service would call this "encouraging use"...

 

[jcodyc40]

Ha, Ha, no kidding what are we thinking? On second thought every place in Montana sucks! You would be much happier moving to any other state, really I'm not lying!

 

[Coyote Commander]

If youre pro hunting and trapping get your ass over here!

We need all the help we can get to fight the looney head up their ass libs inundating the state.

And the mountains are full of those freaks!