Question about Missoula neighborhoods... (apartment, sex offender, crime)

[zoola]

Hello,

I am a former Missoulian (left in 1992) who is planning to move back next summer (07); I now have two school age kids and am wondering about neighborhoods. I loved my former neighborhood which was walking distance to Bernice's bakery and a mix of old victorians, small apartment bldgs and single family homes. It was a very nice walkable neighborhood and close to everything - I walked and rode my bike almost everywhere. I want to move back to this old familiar neighborhood but I'm not sure it's the best now that I have young kids. From what I've read Paxson school is considered better than the others and the Bonner park neighborhood is more desirable than my old one. I don't remember hearing about crime when I lived there but now I read stuff about meth use and armed robberies etc...; I looked up the Montana sex offender website and it was frightening how many were in Missoula. I love Missoula and I want to replicate my old lifestyle of walking and cycling most places but I also want a wholesome environment for my kids- as much as possible. Anyway, if there are any Missoulians out there with info on schools and neighborhoods I would appreciate it. We will be selling a pretty expensive house in the SF Bay area and could probably afford most of the neighborhoods around town. Thanks!

[abanderson]

Your best choices for neighborhood's in Missoula are Upper Rattlesnake, Bonner Park and University area. I'd highly recommend taking a look at Upper Rattlesnake. There are ALOT of familes that have moved up there with young children.