Missoula and Boulder Colorado (Ashland: home, place to live, restaurants)

[djohnmd]

I have lived in the Denver area for 17 years now. At first it was a nice place to live. Now it is very crowded and people are rude. I thought that Missoula would be a nice place to re-locate after the kids move on but after reading posts on this site it sounds similar to Boulder Colorado.
Boulder makes my skin crawl and my stomach turn.

Can anyone who has been in both places confirm or deny these assumptions I'm making?

[grizzfan]

I have never visited Boulder, but Missoula has had a reputation of being Boulder North, Berkely North or Eugene North. Take your pick!

[djohnmd]

Bummer - not what I wanted to hear. Boulder is full of the modern day hippies. Dreadlocks, weed smoking, non-showering type folk. I would consider myself a liberal person and Boulder is way too liberal from me.

THanks for you info!

[JetMech72]

Originally Posted by grizzfan

I have never visited Boulder, but Missoula has had a reputation of being Boulder North, Berkely North or Eugene North. Take your pick!

That's not true though. I've been to both Boulder, CO. and Berkeley, CA. When I visted Boulder, I made the mistake of mentioning that I was in the military while at a restaurant.....I was spat upon and told, by a couple of people, to, quote; "Get the fuc* out of our town, KILLER!" Boulder, by far, is the most Liberal destination in the U.S.A. I've never encountered anything like that within our borders. Missoula is not near as liberal as many would like to see it become. I fear that one day Missoula may end up like Boulder, but for the time being it isn't even close.

[djohnmd]

I'm sorry to hear that happened to you. My wife's brother(s) both fly blackhawks for the Army and both have done 2 tours in Iraq. We appreciate everything our armed forces do for us!!!!!

[SarrD]

Interesting about Boulder. I found it to be not necessarily liberal, though it is, but very elitist. There seemed to be a decidedly snooty feeling there that I have experienced in few other places,except the Bay Area of California. We have a bit of that here in Ashland, OR too. All three areas seem to attact certain people who "could only live in Marin, Boulder, Ashland, Seattle, Santa Fe, or..." Although they claim to be liberal politically, I think for some of these people it is more about maintaining a superiority complex. I don't know if Missoula will ever enter those ranks, the weather, thankfully, doesn't seem good enough.

[JetMech72]

Originally Posted by SarrD

Interesting about Boulder. I found it to be not necessarily liberal, though it is, but very elitist. There seemed to be a decidedly snooty feeling there that I have experienced in few other places,except the Bay Area of California. We have a bit of that here in Ashland, OR too. All three areas seem to attact certain people who "could only live in Marin, Boulder, Ashland, Seattle, Santa Fe, or..." Although they claim to be liberal politically, I think for some of these people it is more about maintaining a superiority complex. I don't know if Missoula will ever enter those ranks, the weather, thankfully, doesn't seem good enough.

Missoula has some of the best weather in Montana. If good weather is a prerequisite for these "elitists", then maybe Missoula will become the next Boulder or Berkeley.

[djohnmd]

SarrD:

I agree with you on the snooty attitude. It dirves me crazy the I'm better than you feeling people give off when you go to Boulder or the Bay Area as I have been to both places.

I wonder if it is just those locations or just the way it is in big cities? I know Boulder is horrible with that but I get that feeling all around Denver these days. The folks I run into who think Denver is so welcoming come from even bigger cities similar to the Bay Area. Denver used to feel like home with good neighbors who were courtious and glad to see anohther human being - I don't get that feeling anymore and feel like Denver has outgrown me and my interests

[JetMech72]

Originally Posted by djohnmd

SarrD:

I agree with you on the snooty attitude. It dirves me crazy the I'm better than you feeling people give off when you go to Boulder or the Bay Area as I have been to both places.

I wonder if it is just those locations or just the way it is in big cities? I know Boulder is horrible with that but I get that feeling all around Denver these days. The folks I run into who think Denver is so welcoming come from even bigger cities similar to the Bay Area. Denver used to feel like home with good neighbors who were courtious and glad to see anohther human being - I don't get that feeling anymore and feel like Denver has outgrown me and my interests

You know, I feel that same way even in some of the small towns in Montana. I call it the "Me" element. Everyone seems to care for no one else but themselves. Even in public service....grocery stores, restaurants et cetera...they don't treat the customer as if they are valued anymore.

You know, my Colorado experiance was centered on Colorado Springs...we just went to Boulder for the same reasons we visited the top of Pike's Peak and Cripple Creek, because we thought it would be nice to visit. But Colorado Springs was a nice place with friendly people. It's growing fast too, so I don't think growing pains contribute to the "Me" element. Maybe I was lucky and visited there before they, too, started becoming self-centered.

The problem isn't just isolated to large cities.

[djohnmd]

I have been looking at some land east of the Springs as I have an office in the Springs which would make a easy commute. The Springs do seem a little better with the me attitude. Hmmm maybe I have to look in my own backyard and try to find a area that fits us - instead of up-rooting the last 17 years of my life.

Thanks for all the responses!!!