Missoula Neighborhoods That Are Family & Pocket Friendly (Florence, Frenchtown: for sale, leasing)

[bobbilly79]

Lots of interesting posts about Missoula and the surrounding areas here, hope I'm not repeating anything here.

I will be attending UMT for grad school and while there is inexpensive housing offered by the school for my family, they won't let me keep my dog. My dog is an important part of my family, and he is a rescued dog, so I don't want him to have to find yet another home. So can anybody direct me to relatively inexpensive yet decent areas of Missoula? Just from looking at classifieds and property management places on the web I can tell that Rattlesnake Hills, and South Hills (I think it's called that) are out. How about the area in between the tracks and I-90 to the west of Orange St, I've noticed that area is inexpensive. Any other suggestions? I'm all ears and open, please just no posts trying to convince me that Missoula isn't the place to be. I'm not looking at it as heaven on earth, or the last best place or anything like that, it's just a place I can finish my education and continue raising my kids, hopefully in a low crime/drug environment. I also know that Missoula is somewhat pricey, but right now I am living in Flagstaff, AZ and Missoula actually beats the cost of living here right now. Thanks again & I look forward to the respones.

Billy

[rickers]

There are neighborhoods (at least one that I've seen) that are cheaper and most likely a dog would be allowed but you won't like the seedy druggie atmosphere of trailers with tweekers and drunks only about five feet apart. I would consider a house sharing arrangement to save money. Good living costs a fortune these days. I'll have a dog friendly mobile available about March but it's in Hot Springs and that's a bit far from Missoula to commute although some people do. Good Luck.

[bobbilly79]

Thanks for the respone Rickers. If I didn't have three kids, house sharing would be an option, although we are trying to convince some friends of ours to come with if we go. Definitely want to stay away from the tweekers, have enough of those here in AZ and when we lived in the Puget Sound Region, and those are in the nicer neighborhoods
I keep being drawn to Florence & Frenchtown in my searches. Does anyone know if they keep the roads in good shape during winter? Still would like to be in Missoula, one daughter figure skates, another plays ice hockey, and the other just wants to be close to a mall, and Glacier Ice Rink and Southgate fit the bill on those

[rickers]

They do a good job at plowing but during a storm there can be some snow on the roads. It's nice to have good snow tires, and front wheel drive is nice. It's really hard to find a nice place for a low price even if your in the area. Doing it from out of the area is almost impossible.

[grizzfan]

How about the area in between the tracks and I-90 to the west of Orange St, I've noticed that area is inexpensive.

Most of the areas near the tracks are, unfortunately, higher crime and drug areas as well. Look at some of the slant street neighborhoods or the Farviews neighborhood near Sentinel High School. Lots of houses for sale that aren't selling and, consequently and unfortunately, sellers are leasing out. I hate to see this as most students living in them are pigs. If you should choose that method, be a good neighbor and pick up after yourself.

[bobbilly79]

Originally Posted by grizzfan

Most of the areas near the tracks are, unfortunately, higher crime and drug areas as well. Look at some of the slant street neighborhoods or the Farviews neighborhood near Sentinel High School. Lots of houses for sale that aren't selling and, consequently and unfortunately, sellers are leasing out. I hate to see this as most students living in them are pigs. If you should choose that method, be a good neighbor and pick up after yourself.

No worries, I'm not your typical student. Like I said I've got a wife and kids. Trust me, I don't want to live in a trash pit home or neighborhood, and I've taught my children that kind of respect as well

Thanks for the tips