Questions about Montana.

[NDak15]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

So you are saying that people in Montana aren't friendly to outsiders especially to newcomers who move in from other states?

Damn straight, especially in western Montana. I was mostly accepted since I came from Montana but whining about transplants is a hobby. Some is justified due to the high cost of living that has resulted but some is good old fashioned paranoia. In places like Missoula or Kalispell you can find some transplants to hang out with.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by NDak15

Damn straight, especially in western Montana. I was mostly accepted since I came from Montana but whining about transplants is a hobby. Some is justified due to the high cost of living that has resulted but some is good old fashioned paranoia. In places like Missoula or Kalispell you can find some transplants to hang out with.

Kalispell is too crowded full of subdivisions with homes built up against each other.

[NDak15]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

Kalispell is too crowded full of subdivisions with homes built up against each other.

So is just about every other pretty place.

[NW Crow]

Kalispell city density: about 1800 per square mile. That is about one household every 100 feet in the portion of land used as neighborhoods. Pretty low for cities. About 15 per sq mi in county outside of city (1 household about every 2000 ft). Or about 1/6th national average for everywhere. Can find in between, higher or lower.

Missoula, 2400 per sq mi in city (one household every 80ft), 17 in county outside of city.

The average US metro density is said to be 283 people per sq. mi. Missoula metro is 44 and Kalispell metro is 19. Lots of forest with no residents or almost none, so suburban areas where they exist might be over 100 on average.

If you don't want city density / life, don't live in or near it. If these counties are too "crowded" or too close to crowds, choose a smaller town or a rural area near one of those.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by NDak15

So is just about every other pretty place.

It appears to be the norm now.

[NW Crow]

Sheridan WY, 1400 per sq mi in city, 8 in surrounding county.

Cody city, 965 per sq mi. Surrounding county, 3 per sq. mi.

Pinedale WY, about 1000 city, surrounding county 1.5.

Lewistown, MT, 1000 city. About 0.8 per sq mi in county or about 2 square miles per household.

Sandpoint ID, 1850 in city, about 20 in surrounding county.

Jerome ID, 2000 in city, about 20 in surrounding county.

Bozeman, 2100 city, 22 surrounding county.

Boise city 2650. Rest of Ada county, 210. Caldwell a bit less dense than Boise. Nampa a bit more. Rest of Canyon county, 12 per sq mi.

There are different densities available. Tradeoffs for and against. Pick what you say you want then double check what you want and pick based on everything.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by NW Crow

Sheridan WY, 1400 per sq mi in city, 8 in surrounding city.

Pick what you say you want then double check what you want.

[zebco]

Originally Posted by Clark Fork Fantast

Why not Idaho? Is it possible that you don't know much about the state, North Idaho in particular? It is generally the same type of geography as Northwestern Montana. You're surrounded by mountains, with wide rivers and deep lakes added to the picture. I would also suggest flying into Spokane, because it is much cheaper than Missoula. Then, on the way to Montana on I-90, you'll be going through Coeur d'Alene, Kellogg, and Wallace, and that will give you a quick intro to North Idaho. Coming back to Spokane you should travel west on Highway 200 along the Clark Fork River through Thompson Falls and Noxon into Idaho, and along Lake Pend Oreille to Sandpoint, and back to Spokane by way of 95 and 90. Then you will be able to decide whether, in the future, you'd still prefer to stay away from Idaho!

I'll second this. Now, I'm not native to either state, visited this past fall for the first time, so take my words as an unbiased outsider.

I actually preferred Idaho to Montana. Both are very beautiful states with lots to do, but there was something about Idaho I can't quite put my finger on that caused me to like it a bit more. I certainly didn't find the people in Montana to be unfriendly at all, but I felt the people in Idaho were a bit more friendly. As the above poster mentioned, in North Idaho you can find areas that are rather isolated yet still not be terribly far from Spokane or Coeur d'Alene for decent-sized hospitals to work at. (I am in the healthcare field also, and thinking about making a move to one of those two states when the timing is right.) You won't be disappointed with the scenery in North Idaho.

As far as Missoula, I wasn't too impressed with the city itself, but the areas a bit outside of town in either direction on I-90 were stunning to me. I do have a friend that lives 6 months of the year about 90 minutes NW of Missoula in a town called Haugan. (I hope I spelled that correctly.) Anyway, gorgeous and peaceful area. In fact, the entire drive from Missoula to Coeur D'Alene was breathtaking. If I had to pick a place in Montana, it would be somewhere on that stretch of highway, although I didn't get a chance to visit the Kalispell area when I was there. My friend wants me to come back this September so she can show me around that area and the national park.

I might add that I was quite fond of Lewiston, Idaho also. Much different climate, perhaps one of the best in the state. Though people mentioned the paper mill near town, I didn't notice it. Anyway, just wanted to share some of my thoughts about my visit since you said you have not been up that way. Bottom line, while I could probably be happy in either state, as the above poster mentioned, don't rule out Idaho.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by zebco

I'll second this. Now, I'm not native to either state, visited this past fall for the first time, so take my words as an unbiased outsider.

I actually preferred Idaho to Montana. Both are very beautiful states with lots to do, but there was something about Idaho I can't quite put my finger on that caused me to like it a bit more. I certainly didn't find the people in Montana to be unfriendly at all, but I felt the people in Idaho were a bit more friendly. As the above poster mentioned, in North Idaho you can find areas that are rather isolated yet still not be terribly far from Spokane or Coeur d'Alene for decent-sized hospitals to work at. (I am in the healthcare field also, and thinking about making a move to one of those two states when the timing is right.) You won't be disappointed with the scenery in North Idaho.

As far as Missoula, I wasn't too impressed with the city itself, but the areas a bit outside of town in either direction on I-90 were stunning to me. I do have a friend that lives 6 months of the year about 90 minutes NW of Missoula in a town called Haugan. (I hope I spelled that correctly.) Anyway, gorgeous and peaceful area. In fact, the entire drive from Missoula to Coeur D'Alene was breathtaking. If I had to pick a place in Montana, it would be somewhere on that stretch of highway, although I didn't get a chance to visit the Kalispell area when I was there. My friend wants me to come back this September so she can show me around that area and the national park.

I might add that I was quite fond of Lewiston, Idaho also. Much different climate, perhaps one of the best in the state. Though people mentioned the paper mill near town, I didn't notice it. Anyway, just wanted to share some of my thoughts about my visit since you said you have not been up that way. Bottom line, while I could probably be happy in either state, as the above poster mentioned, don't rule out Idaho.

Got to follow your gut feeling.