Would like more info about Missoula area.. (Miles City: real estate, sex offenders)

[sayheckya]

I am asking a couple of more questions about Missoula. I wrote a couple weeks back about which town around Missoula that would be good to raise kids. Everyone who wrote was helpful but I have more questions....

I looked on the internet and was appalled to see how many sex offenders live in the Missoula area. The number was around 500!! Does the police keep an eye on these people? We only have about 70 and some of them are at the state pen. I am a little worried because I have 3 children.

Also, my brother used to live in Miles City and he told me not to move to Missoula because it is so expensive. Well, Bismarck is not cheap and was wondering what taxes run and what groceries cost. I noticed that gas there is cheaper but that doesn't surprise me since ND has been the most expensive state in the lower 48 states for gas.

I have been reading the posts about how everyone is so unhappy there about the low pay and expensive real estate. Well this is going on in ND too. We are on the top of the list of people who have 2 jobs. I work with many people who have 2 or 3 jobs. That is not living!!! Any answers to my questions would be helpful. Thanks!!

[jimj]

Sex offenders are everywhere, every state,city,and town. I'm sure the 500 you say that are listed aren't all here, just as the 70 your list shows isn't a true number since many move around or don't register. I'm less worried about the ones that are already caught or that I don't know compared to the people we do know. Most all molestations (notice I didn't say all) are done by people you know, family,friends, associates etc. not the stranger down the street. It's really not something you see in the news all the time here. As for wages and housing, that's been debated and talked to death here, yes there is a gap but it's slowly getting better. Also you have to decide what is expensive to you, everybody's different.

[sayheckya]

That is true.. you do need to worry about the ones close to your kids even the ones you think that wouldn't.. ex' priests.

Well I would hate to move there and it would be worse then here. But I then I guess we would move again. Just would like to find a nice town with good schools, low crime (by the way, is crime bad there?). Growing up in the plains, I hate huge cities and like open spaces and not too many people.

[jimj]

Take a look at the Missoulain newspaper. Most all crimes are printed in the papers in this state. Outside Missoula would be where there are less people and more open space.

[truckingbronco]

The town still has a bad rep with alot of people in the state because Missoula had pollution issues in the 70s and 80s. Also, it is a liberal town so many Montanans will find any reason they can to bash it.