Is Missoula for me? (apartments, to rent, house)

[heywoodm]

Hey all! I am a 30 year old single female currently living in Salt Lake City, but looking for a change. I like Salt Lake, but have been here for almost 10 years and I'm starting to get bored. I would like to move to a small mountain city where there is a lot of things to do outside, but also has some culture. From what I've read, Missoula may fit the bill, but would like some input.

More about me:

I have a degree in English, and besides owning a pizza restaurant for a time, I have only worked in the non-profit world out of college. I have been working at the Utah Food Bank for 3 years now, I would like to stay in the non-profit field if I moved. I'm wondering how plentiful (paid) non-profit positions are in Missoula? How is the job market in general?

I would love my own place but am willing to live with roommates if necessary. I currently pay $700 in rent, would like to pay a little less if possible. How are living expenses in Missoula?

I don't own a car, but bike to work and take public transit when it's too snowy to bike. Would like to continue doing that, even when I move. How is public transit? Is the city biker-friendly?

I love the arts, going to galleries, art house theaters, the symphony, etc. What's the culture like in Missoula?

I love to hike, and would prefer to live someplace where I can walk out my front door and go on a hike. I hear Missoula is good for that?

Lastly, I was raised Mormon, but am no longer practicing, which is a big reason I want to get out of Utah. I would like to experience a new place/culture where religion does not play a big part. I consider myself very liberal (socialism would be grand), so I'm looking for a place that has like-minded people.

So, tell me what ya think!

[ElkHunter]

I think Missoula is an excellent fit, with one exception. Get a car, do not rely on public transportation. You can get out and see some exceptional sites while hiking, but public transportation is not going to get you to the starting point.

[historyfan]

Montana Nonprofit Association

Some of the non-profits in Montana belong to this association--- which has a job postings section.

[NW Crow]

Qs followed by Answers:


I'm wondering how plentiful (paid) non-profit positions are in Missoula?

Better than average for this size town. But still not that many and competitive.


How is the job market in general?

Good on employment, especially part-time. Not good on high wage employment.


How are living expenses in Missoula?

Sharing is cheaper. Hard to get a solo place much under $650 even with some compromises.


I don't own a car, but bike to work and take public transit when it's too snowy to bike. Would like to continue doing that, even when I move. How is public transit? Is the city biker-friendly?

If you live right in heart of town you should be mostly fine. Can rent a car when needed or hopefully or maybe get some help with new friends.


I love the arts, going to galleries, art house theaters, the symphony, etc. What's the culture like in Missoula?

Good for size of town. But not as diverse, plentiful as big cities of course.


I love to hike, and would prefer to live someplace where I can walk out my front door and go on a hike. I hear Missoula is good for that?

Yeah if you live near Rattlesnake wilderness north of town or bus or bike there.


Lastly, I was raised Mormon, but am no longer practicing, which is a big reason I want to get out of Utah. I would like to experience a new place/culture where religion does not play a big part. I consider myself very liberal (socialism would be grand), so I'm looking for a place that has like-minded people.

Missoula most liberal town in MT and one of most liberal in mountain west. By self-description Missoulians are "religious" at about half the national average.



Might be best to visit for at least a few days (now or in spring), then move (quick or in early summer) if you like it. Generally not wise to move without visit and careful look.

But pretty good chance you'd like it, if you honestly can adapt to and like a small city. Some people discover that they really don't like the change overall, all things considered. But Missoula is not tiny, compared to other options folks dream of / consider.

[SteelersFan09]

Originally Posted by heywoodm

Hey all! I am a 30 year old single female currently living in Salt Lake City, but looking for a change. I like Salt Lake, but have been here for almost 10 years and I'm starting to get bored. I would like to move to a small mountain city where there is a lot of things to do outside, but also has some culture. From what I've read, Missoula may fit the bill, but would like some input.

More about me:

I have a degree in English, and besides owning a pizza restaurant for a time, I have only worked in the non-profit world out of college. I have been working at the Utah Food Bank for 3 years now, I would like to stay in the non-profit field if I moved. I'm wondering how plentiful (paid) non-profit positions are in Missoula? How is the job market in general?

I would love my own place but am willing to live with roommates if necessary. I currently pay $700 in rent, would like to pay a little less if possible. How are living expenses in Missoula?

I don't own a car, but bike to work and take public transit when it's too snowy to bike. Would like to continue doing that, even when I move. How is public transit? Is the city biker-friendly?

I love the arts, going to galleries, art house theaters, the symphony, etc. What's the culture like in Missoula?

I love to hike, and would prefer to live someplace where I can walk out my front door and go on a hike. I hear Missoula is good for that?

Lastly, I was raised Mormon, but am no longer practicing, which is a big reason I want to get out of Utah. I would like to experience a new place/culture where religion does not play a big part. I consider myself very liberal (socialism would be grand), so I'm looking for a place that has like-minded people.

So, tell me what ya think!

I moved there temporarily, so I can only help with part of this, but I also was an English major and we have similar interests, so I felt compelled to chime in :

I can't help you about the job market in your specific area, but I struggled to find a job there. It's one of the reasons I don't live there anymore. It's one of the few things I didn't like about Missoula.

Your rent prices could be higher or lower, depending on how close to the center of the city you want/need to live. I don't think you'll be experiencing a massive change in cost of living though. If you live alone, you'll probably want to stick to apartments/duplexes. If you can find a roommate or two (or three), you'll be able to rent a decent sized house. Expect your utility costs to spike December-April. Winters are brutal, but since you're from Utah, I'm probably not telling you something you don't already know here.

Public transportation is below average. It does exist, but if you can access an automobile, you're going to have an upper hand in transportation. At the risk of sounding obvious, the more populated areas (campus, ect) will be more bike-friendly than the outskirts.

Like Austin, TX and many other "black sheep" cities in primarily red states, Missoula likes to herald the mantra "keep ::insert city name:: weird". There is a decent amount of good live music, and a few cool record shops. Art is probably hit or miss. I have no idea about the symphony situation. Compared to a few hours west, it's somewhat moderate. Compared to the rest of Montana, it is very progressive.

I'm an atheist and a very liberal person and always felt comfortable existing with those social paradigms in Missoula.

[nothingbutblue]

I have basically zero knowledge of job prospects in your field, but I've lived around (and now, in) Missoula for most of my life, and I think it sounds like a great fit for you. Missoula is fairly small as far as cities go, but it makes up for it in a lot of ways. Missoulians LOVE Missoula. The people that live here are, for the most part, crazy about this place, which I think is always a good sign. If you're into the outdoors, this is definitely the place to be. Mountains, rivers, hiking, our own downtown kayaking wave, river activities, tubing, mountain biking, folf... and so on. There's certainly accessible outdoor activities nearby, but I'd agree with others and say you'd be better off having a car here (or knowing people who do). Then again, I work at an organic grocery store in the middle of town and a huge number of my co-workers bike or walk, so you can make it work if you need to.

Buying housing or property around here is expensive, but I don't think rent is too bad. It can be tough to get it low, but after a bit of searching and a lucky break I got my apartment (1 bedroom 1 bath, nice and about 2 years old) for $620 a month. Around $800 is probably more average for the majority of cheaper housing. This is definitely a college town, so you need to take that into consideration when deciding where/when to move.

Missoula definitely has culture, but it's still a small city. We've got art galleries, live music, loads of events, a historic theater (the Wilma) that's always playing something or another, First Fridays downtown (heavy on the art gallery scene I hear) and the ever loved farmer's market. Again, college town, so there's usually plenty going on.

As far as your religious concerns go... don't even worry about it. Everyone fits in in Missoula (well, maybe less so if you're big into Megaloads and environmental destruction and such). I've never felt the pressure of religion here (aside from those guys who occasionally hit Higgins in the summer to preach about Idon'tknowwhat).


At a glance I'd say Missoulians GENERALLY love the outdoors, are known to be a bit quirky, liberal, environmentalist, and into local culture. If that sounds good to you, then why not go for it?

[Dimitre]

As a missoula citizen I think you would really like here very liberal and lots of nature

[FerretBoi]

Retail jobs there are tons of
Professional / High tech jobs good luck with that.

The longer I live here the more places I notice closing / going out of business.

[gfunkerror]

You fit the bill. And by the way, Public Transit is free here in Missoula. For now. a 3 year grant. If you are savvy, you can do fine with riding the bus system.

[peneumbra]

You should relocate to Buffalo, WY. It's the cultural and social center of the entire Rocky Mountain region. Museums, art galleries, live music, laundramats, a world-famous donut shop...

What more, I ask you, could any thinking person desire?