What's Next!?!?

Most of our summer goals (which changed frequently) have been completed and we are starting the next phase: relocation. One of our goals on this long road trip (and others that we did over the summer) was to research moving to a smaller town and attempt to start a life there. On our most recent "X-ing America" adventure we intentionally went out of our way to drive to many tiny towns and one stuck out a little more than the rest.

We are actively researching the beautiful town of Whitefish, Montana. Nestled in the northwest corner of the state, Whitefish is a small town of around 6,000 people that has a ski area overlooking the city. The downtown area consists of great restaurants and shops all nestled tightly together in a handful of city blocks.

The Whitefish Chamber Of Commerce describes the town like this:

"There is only one Whitefish. Tucked tight against Big Mountain and the stunning peaks of Glacier National Park, Whitefish is a year-round playground steeped in the romance of the rails. From its historic railroad depot to its charming Central Avenue, Whitefish was built on the personalities, generosity, and wisdom of its residents. Cafes mingle with gourmet restaurants, general stores share the downtown with galleries and boutiques, and a variety of western bars will suit any mood. You will also find sophisticated amenities like inns, hotels, rustic lodges, ski and board shops, outdoor gear stores and more. Whatever leads you to Whitefish - the historic downtown, the dramatic landscape, or your own wanderlust- you'll be glad you followed it."

There are a number of requirements that a small town must have for us to consider living there.

1. Must be under 10,000 people
2. Must have a reputable hospital
3. Must have a reputable school system
4. Must have a larger city nearby (within an hour's drive)
5. Housing must be affordable
   
6. Must have a way for us to stay healthy and active year round
7. Must be dog friendly
8. Lakes and/or streams must be nearby
9. Mountains and forest must be nearby
10. Should not be on an interstate or "through road"

There are many more standards that Nicole and I have created, but I wanted to illustrate that there is a method to our selections. Geography (economic, cultural, physical, etc) is one of my passions and has had a major influence in our decision making and I believe that Whitefish is ideal for a number of reasons.

First, there is water everywhere. Whitefish Lake, Flathead Lake, Hungry Horse Reservoir along with the rivers and streams that flow in and our of them. I think with any great place in the world, one will find water nearby. Conversely, an area that has little water seems to have problems down the road.

Second, the proximity of Kalispell to Whitefish makes it very appealing. I read somewhere that "Migration between two cities is proportional to the product of the two cities' populations and inversely proportional to the intervening distance" (if it seems familiar that's because it's similar to that of the theory of gravity.) I haven't exactly put exact figures into this equation yet, but my gut feeling says that that Kalispell helps keep Whitefish going (along with nearby Columbia Falls.)

Nicole and I are continuing to research and budget the feasibility of relocating there for the next week or so. We would need to spend at least four months there before we could really determine if this is where we want to stay for years to follow.

We will keep you posted as we find out more. In the meantime, checkout this Craigslist ad we created: http://montana.craigslist.org/hss/806554617.html