Bob

has written 2 SperlingViews. Currently, Bob is living in Seattle, WA and has a little something to say:

No Work, No Shopping, Not much! Posted On: 9/5/2009 6:28:22 PM

Back in the day this was a busy boom town, then in the 80's the Smelter (Anaconda Company/Arco/Atlantic Richfield) shut down, loss of thousands of jobs. There were jokes about the last one out to turn off the lights. It is amazing that the town is still there. The population is less than what it shows, that is the population of the entire county so it is not realistic. In its day there were about 20,000 crammed into this little space, now it would be more accurate to estimate 3,500. Mostly people that live here either drive to Butte, Deer Lodge or other places for work, unless your one of the "Good-ole-boy-Club" and have a job locally. This is a major clique town. Mostly "Easter Catholics" and retired folks or Californian's. Outside of town, there is great recreation, but the town is lacking any type of "life". For excitement, most locals might enjoying driving their car from one end of town to the other and back again because they are board out of their minds! There used to be a bar on most every corner, many have closed but per capita this town probably has the record! If your thinking of a small town to raise your kids, it is definately not "Pleasentville" the classes are small, but the teachers are bottom of the barrel. Many fueds with Butte etc, very bored kids and that means.... well you get the picture. Weather in the summer is quite warm in the High 80's and 90's and in the winter it has been known to have record breaking -40's or lower, but primarily -10 to -25 below zero. Snow is typical but not as heavy as most places. The town is located in a narrow plain (3/4 mile) surrounded by barron dry hills. West of town there are beautiful mountains and much recreation, too bad the town isn't about 15 miles west! If your looking to retire here it might be your place. If you are looking for work.... keep looking elsewere. If your from California, go back, you will hate it here! You will die of boredom! (just an opinion)

Beautiful, moderate climate, expensive but might b Posted On: 9/5/2009 5:52:43 PM

Bellingham is a very nice town in a beautiful area. There are numerous city parks and many things to do nearby. For sports recreationists, it is paradise! Skiing, kayaking, fishing, biking, it does'nt get better. But it comes at a cost, cost of living is very-very high and wages are low! During the winter it rains and rains and rains and on rare occasion it snows. During the summer it rains, and sometimes is sunny and may have a few days in the high 80's and is sunny in the low 70's but only for a month or so, then rain and 55-60 degrees pretty much the rest of the year. The coldest it gets is about 15-20 above for a rare day or two. People in the area are generally friendly and very quite diverse and liberal. Definitely a melting pot of differing beliefs and types of people. If your a conservative, fellow cohorts might be hard to find. Shopping, theatre and other amenities are very good, concerts are slim to none however as there is no event center (insert whine here). It is a short drive to Seattle or Vancouver BC for just about any shopping or cultural ammenity. If you can stand the rain and like cool temperatures, are liberal you will like it here, if you don't keep looking. (Just an opinion)