Is there any friendly people in Montana? (Billings, Bozeman: fit in, lease)

[chrismford]

We are rude when some Non-Montanan comes here and tries to change the way things are. If you come here realize this isn't a big metro or "liberal" state and things are happy to those of us that have called it home.

On the other hand if you accept things and don't try to change it, you could be sitting at my table for the holidays.

[laid-back-montanan]

Sometimes you don't realize how great Montana is until you move away and experience something different. I grew up on the east coast, so traffic and congestion and less friendly people was just something I thought was normal. When I was a kid, we moved to Montana. I have to admit that it was a culture shock and took me about 2-3 yrs to adjust to this "slower way of life."

Thinking the grass was greener on the other side, I moved away for University years later and thought I would always want to live out here now, however, now I appreciate more than ever what Montana is and stands for. Of course, I've also been hearing a lot about places like Bozeman that are receiving all the people from out of state who make the city their seasonal home and also drive up the prices substantially, but that's just a part of life. It happens everywhere these days...I think we have 6-7 billion people in the world today and it's supposed to double in a very short amount of years. Land is valuable and of course, Montana still has a lot of it left, so people are snatching it up like crazy.

My best advice is to pick a larger town and find some land 10-20 miles outside of it so that you get the convienances of the city but can at least have space too.

[dwellsinnyc]

Originally Posted by chrismford

We are rude when some Non-Montanan comes here and tries to change the way things are. If you come here realize this isn't a big metro or "liberal" state and things are happy to those of us that have called it home.

On the other hand if you accept things and don't try to change it, you could be sitting at my table for the holidays.

-This articulates clearly why I would love to live in Montana away from crowds and foreigners. But, I never will. I can only continue to daydream about beautiful Montana as I always have..... I hope it stays that way.

[Haakon]

Originally Posted by LeaveMeBe

Where I come from there is such thing as respect your neighbor. No one is a stranger here. Everyone is treated as if they are an old friend. I guess I thought the rest of the world was like that.

I'm curious, if it's so perfect "where you come from" why don't you stay there or move back? You seem to have found just what you're looking for, why move to MT?

I'm not trying to be insulting, but if you really thought that everywhere in the world people treated each other like old friends you've really led a sheltered life, that is by far the exception not the norm. It might be nice if it were otherwise, but I doubt people in general have ever been that way, all human history is full of conflict between group "X" and outsiders from "Y".

[CTC]

I would have to say that Billings is probably hands down the friendliest city I have spent considerable time in. My wife is working on a project up there (for 2 months now)

She loves how friendly everyone is there, and when I visit I find the same thing.



My only unfriendly MT experience came about many years ago-after backpacking in the Frank Church we came out on the MT side of the Magruder corridor. We camped for the night and were settling in to watch the Perciade Meteor shower, but were run off by a bunch of local partiers (probably from Hamilton)-I don't think they liked my long haired hiking buddy- LOL

[coleenlynn]

Very well spoken. People in Kentucky have changed over the years and it is frightening how rude people have become.

[grammak]

Here in New England there is a cliche about Vermonters, Maine-iacs, etc being very gruff and taciturn but also the absolute best neighbors you could ever want to have. I can't help but think that is true of people in cold-weather, low-population-density areas generally. There are times when we need each other just to survive (imagine if your car breaks down on a back road in January) so we are ready to help and ready to be true friends, even if we aren't that talkative.

[coleenlynn]

Originally Posted by grammak

Here in New England there is a cliche about Vermonters, Maine-iacs, etc being very gruff and taciturn but also the absolute best neighbors you could ever want to have. I can't help but think that is true of people in cold-weather, low-population-density areas generally. There are times when we need each other just to survive (imagine if your car breaks down on a back road in January) so we are ready to help and ready to be true friends, even if we aren't that talkative.

Thank you for you reply, maybe thats why I like cold-weather places.

[coleenlynn]

Originally Posted by GEORGIAINMT

When I first read your post, I kind of took offense at it. Then I realized that you were actually asking a question.....asking whether all people in Montana are rude. The answer is NO!!!! I have traveled all over the state (and it's BIG) for my previous job, spending nights and sometimes weeks in almost every town, both large & small. I was a school photographer so was in & out of the schools, patronized motels, restaurants, gas stations, shops, etc. all along the way. Although people in some places were even nicer than others, I found that in general the people were wonderful statewide. For the most part the children in the schools (K-12) were polite and well-behaved. I think that speaks volumes for the way people are...their children are a true indication of how they were raised. The merchants made me feel welcome and important wherever I went. I think the naysayers on this forum are just the "Negative Nellies" out there, as there as the same types anywhere. It's just like the news, you hear all about the bad things happening but very little about the good. I, too, believe you should visit the areas you are considering moving to and then judge for yourself. My guess is that you will find Montanans, whether lifelong residents or "transplants", to be pleasant, welcoming, and friendly folks. Best of luck to you!
Georgia

Yes, it was a question not meant to insult any one. Thanks for the reply and your observations. And for any (mistakes) I may make in grammer, I hope my personallity and humor do not offend.

[coleenlynn]

Originally Posted by NativeMontanan

Now that we've had our "talkin'to." Go west young lady go west. Shame Shame Shame on us for bein' such a hateful people. If you don't want a truthful answer don't ask the question. You want us to lie?

We're being honest, which by the way is more "kind" than lying and it doesn't need defending.
Everyone here is treated on their merits, not on blind "old friend" backstabbing politically correct crap. You'll be treated like an old friend when you are one. Until that time you are just another person whom should be respected until which time you prove yourself disrespectful....
No Shame in Montana only those whom judge us to be shameful.

Honesty is something I greatly treasure. Thanks to all