Kalispell

[KGKat]

Okay -

Calling on all Flathead County residents - or others "in the know." I am considering a relocation to the Kalispell region, and am trying to gather as much info as possible. What are the good areas vs bad areas to live? Any bad schools? Pros vs. cons? Anything to help a flatlander considering a move to the mountains would be appreciated.

[SACCAT]

1.Live in Whitefish or big fork

2.It is always cloudy

3. The mountains are very nice.

[tdub]

Don't live in Whitefish or Bigfork (you'll be driving all the time).

Edgerton Elementary is a great school, all Kalispell residents go to KMS, but there are other outlying middle schools. If I had a choice (which I do), my kids will go to Glacier. I don't think one school is necessarily better than the other though, just the Glacier facility is really nice. My kids are all elementary age so I'm going through the discovery of sports programs, after school programs, etc.

There are several really good neighborhoods to live in - it all depends on what you want. Narrow down some perameters and I can give you my recommendations. My relocation here did not take place that long ago so I am in tune with the market right now. Maybe send me a PM if you wish.

It is pretty cloudy all winter (except this one...weird) but is exceptionally beautiful here. Summer is fantastic.

[LongTimeCatFan]

I recommend calling Bob "Nad" Nadvornick @ West Venture, 885-2700 or Cheri Hansen http://www.cheriehansen.com/@ Re Max of Bigfork to help you.


We bought in the Empire Estates sub 2 years ago and its nice and quiet. Also pretty close to Glacier HS. I heard Silverbrook Estates had some houses that were priced extremely low so you might check that out. I don't recommend anything south of town.

[tdub]

I recommend calling Bob "Nad" Nadvornick @ West Venture or Cheri Hansen @ Re Max of Bigfork to help you.


We bought in the Empire Estates sub 2 years ago and its nice and quiet. Also pretty close to Glacier HS. I heard Silverbrook Estates had some houses that were priced extremely low so you might check that out. I don't recommend anything south of town.

I 2nd all of that...

[ChiOCat]

Move to Eureka. And bring some business with you

[LongTimeCatFan]

One thing for anyone buying a house in Montana....

Purchase at closing something called a Montana Mortgage Certificate. Ask your lender about it. The cliffs notes are that it allows you to convert 20% of your fed tax deductions into a tax credit. So interest and taxes alone are 10K so I expect 2K refund every year. It is something from the MT board of housing and I think it cost $600 up front. Well worth the investment.

[KGKat]

LTC & tdub - Why don't you recommend south of town? We would like to find something with room for our horse - maybe 2? Also - any input on St Mathews school? The kids are currently in a catholic school now?

[LongTimeCatFan]

LTC & tdub - Why don't you recommend south of town? We would like to find something with room for our horse - maybe 2? Also - any input on St Mathews school? The kids are currently in a catholic school now?

The sewer treatment plant and flooding.

[Cat Grad]

Before you purchase, make sure you get a comprehensive list of bank-owned reo properties. Adjacent lots can be had as low as 29k to over 200k in the same subdivisions and bank-owned properties are dropping at least 10k per month in these listings for fairly decent housing. DON'T GO TO THE REAL ESTATE COMPANY HIRED BY THE BANK TO GET RID OF THEIR BAD LOANS! Although I'm sure you're aware these realtors represent the seller, it can't be stressed enough. We have many vacant properties in my community that the used car type realtors won't put signs up because they are artificially propping up "fair market value" for the banks they represent.

Be aware, if you are from the east side, the drippy, gloomy weather (not to mention all the transplants who've jumped on the fizzled out again bandwagon) will wear on you as will all the dang canucks.

My favorite part of the Kalispell area is the Woods Bay community just south of Bigfork, but to each his own. Several properties in this area are for sale now. Least favorite area is the Swan, Whitefish-Kalispell strip mall and the drive with all the freaken canucks pouring south of the 48th parallel via Eureka. The city fathers have told the local law enforcement to keep away from them and they're allowed to act like I used to when I was a drunken college kid. Factor in that Flathead County has over 700 fathers working their arses off in the oil patch so the kids are basically without adult supervision and--just check out the recent police reports with kids destroying property, vandalizing neighborhoods before you make a move.

Actually, I'd recommend Lewistown, Libby or Ovando because they haven't been discovered by everybody that longs for what Montana used to be or what they remember about Montana before they left. The Flathead is just like the Bitterroot, the Gallatin or Helena in that you're hard pressed to find many folks who were actually raised in the area and now that they're here, they either want to make it just like the area they left or they want to build a fence around the area and keep everybody else out now. They'll even sue their neighbors if they want to build a subdivision in order to keep their property values up or keep that picturesque view that brought them here. Damn, Geraldine with all those Charlie Russell views sounds good right about now...

[BroncoCat]

Before you purchase, make sure you get a comprehensive list of bank-owned reo properties. Adjacent lots can be had as low as 29k to over 200k in the same subdivisions and bank-owned properties are dropping at least 10k per month in these listings for fairly decent housing. DON'T GO TO THE REAL ESTATE COMPANY HIRED BY THE BANK TO GET RID OF THEIR BAD LOANS! Although I'm sure you're aware these realtors represent the seller, it can't be stressed enough. We have many vacant properties in my community that the used car type realtors won't put signs up because they are artificially propping up "fair market value" for the banks they represent.

Be aware, if you are from the east side, the drippy, gloomy weather (not to mention all the transplants who've jumped on the fizzled out again bandwagon) will wear on you as will all the dang canucks.

My favorite part of the Kalispell area is the Woods Bay community just south of Bigfork, but to each his own. Several properties in this area are for sale now. Least favorite area is the Swan, Whitefish-Kalispell strip mall and the drive with all the freaken canucks pouring south of the 48th parallel via Eureka. The city fathers have told the local law enforcement to keep away from them and they're allowed to act like I used to when I was a drunken college kid. Factor in that Flathead County has over 700 fathers working their arses off in the oil patch so the kids are basically without adult supervision and--just check out the recent police reports with kids destroying property, vandalizing neighborhoods before you make a move.

Actually, I'd recommend Lewistown, Libby or Ovando because they haven't been discovered by everybody that longs for what Montana used to be or what they remember about Montana before they left. The Flathead is just like the Bitterroot, the Gallatin or Helena in that you're hard pressed to find many folks who were actually raised in the area and now that they're here, they either want to make it just like the area they left or they want to build a fence around the area and keep everybody else out now. They'll even sue their neighbors if they want to build a subdivision in order to keep their property values up or keep that picturesque view that brought them here. Damn, Geraldine with all those Charlie Russell views sounds good right about now...

This is actually an accurate assessment of being transplanted from the east side of the mountains to living in the Flathead valley.

[tdub]

Wow Cat Grad, the highly negative tone of your post kind of suprised me. Yout metioned a couple of good points, but you made it sound as if the whole world has gone to heck here in the Flathead. But first, what I agree with is:

1. You are correct is consulting a realtor not representing the banks as well. This is just good business. Doesn't mean they are corrupt, but the seller's agent's job is to sell the properties for as much as possible (like ANY good selling agent should).
2. The weather is gloomier. But if you recreate (ski, board, snowmobile), it is well worth it. If you don't, then stock up on artificial vitamin D.

I disagree that our city "fathers" have told the police to leave Canadians alone. Do many Canadians drink a bunch, are faily loud, etc? Yes. Do they just break the law left and right and get ignored? No. Have they completely tempered our national downswing in the Flathead market by spending lots and lots of money here? Absolutely. Sometimes you can't have your cake and eat it too. There are many, many happy businesspeople because of Canadians. Many are still in business today simply because of Canadians. And, no, I'm not Canadian.

And fine, I agree to check out the local police blotters because of unsupervised children. BUT, then compare it to historical stats and then to other cities in Montana to see if this is truely an issue. I don't know the answer, I'm just saying to check out more than just one report to get an accurate assessment.

You have hit about every conspiracy issue/stereotype that can be imagined here. Them dang out of staters just want to put up fences and keep you out. Them dang Canadians just drink and party and make life miserable for the rest of us. The real estate agents are in collusion with the banks to screw the average joe. Those hard working dads being gone are just leaving adolecent roughians all over the place.

I have lived in Billings, Bozeman, Havre, Helena, Missoula, and Kalispell. I like it here in the Flathead. I AM one of those that didn't grow up here - what kind of bad person does that make me?

[WeedKillinCat]

I have a question about property taxes. I heard that they are high in the Flathead Valley and when vacationing in the area last summer there were numerous properties for sale along the lake. From what I have heard, some long time residents are selling because the taxes are more than what they had originally paid for the property and can't afford it anymore. Some are trying to make it on retirement $$. Is that true? Also my next door (banker) neighbor moved to Billings from Polson (I know it is not Kalispell), but said the economy was pretty bad on that side of the state as compared to over here. Thoughts?

[Cat Grad]

Don't live in Whitefish or Bigfork (you'll be driving all the time).

Edgerton Elementary is a great school, all Kalispell residents go to KMS, but there are other outlying middle schools. If I had a choice (which I do), my kids will go to Glacier. I don't think one school is necessarily better than the other though, just the Glacier facility is really nice. My kids are all elementary age so I'm going through the discovery of sports programs, after school programs, etc.

There are several really good neighborhoods to live in - it all depends on what you want. Narrow down some perameters and I can give you my recommendations. My relocation here did not take place that long ago so I am in tune with the market right now. Maybe send me a PM if you wish.

It is pretty cloudy all winter (except this one...weird) but is exceptionally beautiful here. Summer is fantastic.

Well, I stressed "TO EACH HIS OWN." I hate the strip mall portion of the valley around the college and the idiotic traffic. I love south of Kalispell--wish I could afford anywhere along the lake from Somers all the way to Elmo but much prefer Woods Bay, especially the Raven; and yes, just as when dasin's activities were being investigated, the merchants have strong armed the local law enforcement enough to look the other way at a lot of our neighbors to the north activities. One may also wish to ask what's up with all the local politicians and why Kalispell City Managers unass the AO as soon as they can find comparable employment or even call Darlene Shottle why she keeps interviewing elsewhere.

There are many beautiful aspects to this area, but it is a great disappointment to most of my friends from the other side of the hill, especially those that have gone back over complete with wife and kids. Oh yeah, it will never be what the Gallatin Valley used to be. South of Ennis is going to remain what it is for many years to come thanks to all the conservation easements. A country kid from over the hill I am--won't deny it--and I'm greatly saddened by all the growth and what this area has become. I'd simply recommend to someone coming from that area over around Kremlin Gilford (I assume) to take a closer look at areas around him with a lot more to offer than...just my thoughts and I thought he should take a good hard look at some of the police reports, OPI AYP reports and other school data sources before he makes a leap he may in fact regret in a few short years. Could even give him the names of several folks that only stayed a half dozen years max before what I previously posted got to them and they went way, way east of here.

He may also want to find out exactly how many developments Glacier Bank owns (for one), consider building himself or pick up one of the over 100 various bank reo properties, just make him aware that this area has really been hammered by the deflationary housing market, which is a really good thing if he's willing to pack his bag and go elsewhere while the rest of the family remains behind.

[Cat Grad]

I have a question about property taxes. I heard that they are high in the Flathead Valley and when vacationing in the area last summer there were numerous properties for sale along the lake. From what I have heard, some long time residents are selling because the taxes are more than what they had originally paid for the property and can't afford it anymore. Some are trying to make it on retirement $$. Is that true? Also my next door (banker) neighbor moved to Billings from Polson (I know it is not Kalispell), but said the economy was pretty bad on that side of the state as compared to over here. Thoughts?

I have several friends that left here and went to Lewistown, Harlowtown, Laurel, White Sulphur Springs, Townsend, and even Harrison/Cardwell. The property taxes here are lucicrous in comparison to areas elsewhere, but just as our friendly tavern association folks aren't paying what they're actually worth, neither are the individuals in the million dollar lakeshore homes paying their fair share. A working stiff in a 150k house paying 2k versus one of our wealthy lakeshore folks (don't want to sterotype here) but I've heard a few of our merchants and local politicians may be some of them, live in places well over a million bucks but are only paying around 10k per year in property taxes.

Would suggest KG go to the courthouse so as to not have to rely on a message board poster nor a realtor. Get the facts and data, don't listen to the marketing hype or various opinions posted on a message board.

[tdub]

CG - You have some good points, now that you expanded on your first post. I just found a lot of the statements in the first post as being very blanketed statements and painted the Flathead in a very negative fashion. I have found a lot of positive in Kalispell and am enjoying my time here with my family. "To each his own" I will agree with heartily.

I don't doubt that there are some issues that exist here and your direction you are providing to KG I would support (contact actual record sources, etc.). I, for one, wouldn't base any major decisions off of what some bonehead (I'm pointing at myself) says on a message board. We agree on that.

I wouldn't choose that Flathead over ANY place I could choose to live. But it is definitely higher on the list than most places.

[BroncoCat]

I would add that Kalispell does work for some, while for others it does not. I have lived in small town north central Montana, Billings, Bozeman and Kalispell. I don't want to make a blanket statement about everyone in this valley, but I have experienced a general tendency of the locals vs the transplants. As in the people whose families go back generations, and then any one else who has moved here in the last 20 years.
Again, like every thing in life your situation is what you make of it. More outgoing coworkers of mine have moved here, done well and love it, but I have lived here 10 years and not once has it felt like home. I am kind of a displaced farm kid, so I miss wide open prairie, tall fields of wheat, fat cattle and horizon. I agreed with Cat Grad that it is different here, more different that the other towns I have lived in; and that KG cat may get here and invest in property and then be stuck here if he didn't like it.
I ended up here as a promotion to help manage a business, and I had great memories of vacationing here and a youth and that was the deciding factor in coming here. As a recreation area, this is a great valley. I usually just caution people when they ask that just because you like to ski or have boat doesn't mean this is great location to live. In hind sight, I would rent for at least a year to make sure it works for you.

[Cat Grad]

Here's the deal as far as where I'd really like someone to do before they move and think everything is better someplace else. I remember the Columbia Gardens in Butte, when Anaconda was something, Columbia Falls had five pot lines going, Black Eagle and the Great Falls Airbase, the Glasgow Airbase, when the missiles were being put in those big holes in the ground, the Opheim Radar site, Havre Radar site, East Helena, Columbia Falls, when Hungry Horse Res. and Libby Dam were being built and sit back and take it all in and can't help but frequently be overwhelmed by all the change. Hell, I even remember when boise state was a JUNIOR COLLEGE (still is academically but that has nothing to do with why I'd stress to KG to do a little research before pulling up stakes and then being surrounded by a bunch of transplants with a superiority complex).

Check out sometime south of Saco and look at how many miles of CMR all around that beautiful lake will remain the same unless the present administration does in fact wind up leasing cabin sites to a select few who will in turn sell it all off. The only constant in life's process is change and then you die. When you can see the Sweet Grass Hills, the Bear Paws, the Breaks and the lake, the Judith Mountains and not another freaking person for days but thousands of deer, elk, antelope, bighorns and catch every kind of fish imaginable...all the while the sun is shining!

[Eastcoastgriz]

LTC & tdub - Why don't you recommend south of town? We would like to find something with room for our horse - maybe 2? Also - any input on St Mathews school? The kids are currently in a catholic school now?

There are some very nice areas on the south end of Kalispell. St Mathews is well regarded in the community. (Have several friends who send the children there) It is located on the south end of downtown so access from any where south would be easy. There are lots of great real estate deals through out the area. Any good agent will be more than happy to tour you through all explaning pros and cons. My daughters both go to Glacier and love it. Both also went to Edgerton which is a good school, however when they were there it was very crowded. Most new housing developments over the past decade were built in the northern part of town as are most new commecial retail stores. Lots of great homes on small acerage all around town. If you decide not to send your kids to St Matts, I would take a hard look at the West Valley School District. (K through 8th)

Both high schools do a pretty good job, however Glacier High is a very nice school with something for everyone.

[Eastcoastgriz]

He may also want to find out exactly how many developments Glacier Bank owns (for one), consider building himself or pick up one of the over 100 various bank reo properties, just make him aware that this area has really been hammered by the deflationary housing market, which is a really good thing if he's willing to pack his bag and go elsewhere while the rest of the family remains behind.

Glacier Bank is not the lender owning the most repossesed property in the valley, I beleive that honor goes to Whitefish Credit Union. There are currently 77 REO homes with a Kalispell Address and another 85ish through out the valley.