Curious what people think. My family moved here when I was a kid. You can expect to pay around $1,019 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,019/month for a decent place. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Is this normal for Kalispell? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development.
9 upvotes
12 Replies
Chloe Thompson
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
William Bailey
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The healthcare is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
John D.
spot on
28 upvotes
Gabriel R.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much developing but now it's improving.
27 upvotes
Kai Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 11 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
living_josiah71
Came here for family and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The healthcare is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
James James
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
22 upvotes
Cameron Cox
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Robert L.
hard disagree but ok
19 upvotes
Declan Morales
I've lived in The Heights for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
- The cost of living scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
savannah_dude
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
axel_soul
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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