Missoula Warning

[mtlogger]

Originally Posted by outahereee

Okay! Let me start by saying I am not looking to try to stop people from moving here but, rather, inform others of my experience. I am one of those guys that grew up in a small mountain town that was invaded by out-of-staters and decided to move to Missoula thinking Montana couldn't possibly be too crowded. I was wrong! I have seen nothing but traffic and urban sprawl since I have lived here and now it is time for me to leave. There are traffic jams on the east side by the University, traffic downtown, traffic west to Russel and Reserve Street and all the way to the town of Lolo on Highway 93. That's like 20 miles of traffic! Additionally, I have seen development occur at breakneck speed, reaching the foothills and currently expanding up the mountains (ie. Mansion Heights). I know, I know it is all relative. And for those moving from large cities you will think you are in paradise, but for those looking for the paradise they lost, you might be disappointed.

That's what happens when you move to a university town. I hate that term "college". And, of course, since you did it, just like the thousands before you, you're disenchanted b/c now it's like a "real city". Billings is big too, but I never heard anyone complain about how there too much traffic (with two interstates).

The grass is not always greener!

[mtlogger]

Originally Posted by magoomafoo

I would rather pull my toenails out then go to Missoula. I'm in the middle of the Great Falls, Helena and Missoula triangle and choose Helena first (less traffic) Great Falls next, Missoula only if I was dying and the roads to the other two towns were closed. The drivers there are so rude and careless. Reserve is a nightmare.

That's funny - I drive there all the time - o'course that's when I had a job!
Reserve has always been a nightmare - you shoulda seen it 30 years ago.

[OR2MT]

Wow Rick, What great pictures. I can't wait to see all this in person. Thanks for taking them and sharing.

[Reziac]

Originally Posted by mtlogger

That's what happens when you move to a university town. I hate that term "college".

College and University used to be different things, tho the distinction is largely lost in the common speech. College meant a single focus or track, like a "College of Nursing", while a University was comprised of several different colleges. MSU still uses the terminology that way -- College of Agriculture, College of Letters and Science, etc. are all discrete parts of Montana State University.

[tailg8r22]

I was born, raised and still live in California but my step-daughter moved from California to Montana so we have visited a few times. First of all, let me say what a beautiful state it is and how much we have enjoyed our visits. I wanted to reply to this post because the first time that we visited was during the month of June and we stayed two days and one night in Missoula and loved it! For those of you familiar with California - it reminded me very much of San Luis Obsipo (coastal college town). That being said, it was unlike any other place we have visited in Montana, though Bozeman had similarities.
I am in no way pretending that I am an expert on Montana - not even close! I just found it amusing and, given the posts on this thread, thought that I would say that a Californian did have a good time in Missoula as well as many of the small, western, unpaved lovely towns we have had the pleasure of visiting. I am sure that there were many Californians whom had similar sentiments (many, many years ago) about the growing towns and out-of-staters in our state as well. I meet a lot of transplants who were born and raised in Montana and have decided to make California their home. They are two fabulous states!

[StarValentino]

Originally Posted by rickers

Missoula is anything but what an example of what Montana is like. If you live in Missoula and only visit or see the surrounding suburban areas then you totally missed Montana.
Here are some picture links for ya all. I'm sure a bunch of folks on this board have seen some of these pictures before but I just thought this was a good post to show them again. I rarely go back over to the Missoula or Flathead areas anymore. Even though so much of western Montana hasn't been paved over yet, at the rate it's going, folks better start thinking about reserving green belts or both valleys will end up looking like the San Fernando Valley right under our noses. In a way I'm glad our little town is shrinking ! Conrad is still stuck in the 50s and folks still hold doors open and even stop for you to cross the street !
The pics in these photo links include pictures of both sides of the Rocky Mountains in Montana.

Picasa Web Albums - Rick - Pics of the R...


Picasa Web Albums - Rick - fawna and flora


Picasa Web Albums - Rick - 2003 pics


Picasa Web Albums - Rick - Guess what ri...

Now that is beautiful!!! Thanks Rickers! See and most people will never see and actually walk in that scenery. So peaceful there. Thats the true beauty of God's country!

[StarValentino]

Originally Posted by mtboy

Ok, so here is a joke:

There is a Montanan, Californian, and a Tennessen. Out on the trail moving cattle. The Tennessen rides to the chuck wagon grabs a bottle of whiskey, takes a swig, throws the bottle up in the air, and shoots it.

The Californian and Montanan ask him "why'd you do that".
He replies," we have so much whiskey in Tennesse, we don't drink from the same bottle twice."

So the Californian rides over to the wagon grabs a bottle of wine, takes a swig, throws the bottle up in the air, shoots it and says " we have so much wine in California, we don't drink out of the same bottle twice."

So then the Montanan rides over grabs a cold Coors, rides back, drinks the entire bottle in one swig, grabs his six shooter, and shoots the Californian dead.

The Tennessen looks at him and says "why'd you do that".
The Montanan replies, " we have so many Californians in Montana we don't drink with the same one twice."

Ok I know there is a ton of jokes like that but for some reason I remembered that one and when grizfan asked if everyone on here was from California. Off topic I know but had to share it.

Hee hee oh my lol

[ImSilverWings]

Originally Posted by mtdave2

I was once like you and thought the traffic in Missoula was bad. Growing up there I had seen it get worse and worse. Finally I moved 6 years ago out of state to places that actually have bad traffic. it is humorous to think what I used to call bad traffic.


What also makes Missoula better is, even if you are driving WAY to the other side of town, its only 7 miles or so LMAO. Heck it takes 5 miles for me to get to the highway to start driving my 30 miles to work. in far worse traffic than Missoula ever has.

Now I do miss the Missoula of the 70s and 80s, fewer people fewer cars, no Californians etc. However, again, now that IM out in the real world, I can see things how the people who are moving to Montana see it, and its not as bad as most native Montana’s think. The traffic is just one of the down sides. Progress always has good and bad things to it.

I couldn't agree more with you. I miss Missoula even now that it has grown up so much more sense the 70's when I lived there. Even during the short few years in the 90's it wasn't so bad yet.

My kids are Missoulians. My screen name, SilverWings, was a name a Flathead indian friend gave me back then.

Looking forward to being back next spring.

[shotzie]

AWESOME pics bud!! Reminds me of days gone by. Back before WE were Californicated. All that's left of our ferry is the cable stretching across the river. govt tore down the house, n jarvies ranch is now a museum!! But the swallows still come back every year...!!!