Considering a move to Missoula. (fit in, affordable apartment, credit)

[ericksje]

Hello everyone. My GF and I are plotting to escape MN sometime in August of this year. We aren't solid on a particular place yet, but Missoula seems like a viable option.

We're both big on outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and just being outside and enjoying the scenery. I will be graduating in May with a BFA in English; she has a BS in Marketing. Both of us have worked in retail for the last 4 years and barely break $41,000 combined income per year. With that, we both have fabulous credit and and no children, so the failing economy hasn't had much of an effect on us and any change in employment would bring an increase.

I would really like it if we were able to move to a place with a view (Southern MN is pretty, but 20+ years has made it kind of bland), somewhere with an affordable college in case we want to further our education, and a place where the people are friendly enough that if we want to become involved in the community or decide to have a family we would feel safe and welcome. Jobs wouldn't be a real issue for the first year--she's brilliant and wonderful with people; and I hear high school janitors make $14 an hour, and, with 4 years as a Navy engineer, I know my way around Simple Green, a rag, and basic maintenance --so we'd be willing to do just about anything in order to stay and establish our own little home in an affordable apartment (hopefully with a view of the mountains).

What I would like to ask you is, based on the cursory information I've given, do we sound like the type of people that would fit in with the community in Missoula? Does it sound like the right place for us? If not, does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks a lot for reading along.

[Kristynwy]

I have been to Missoula a couple times, but I don't have a lot of info myself on the area.
However there are some folks on here that have more info..

Best of luck to you

[Redraven]

Sure, you can fit in with Missoula. Or, anywhere else, for that matter. IF you accept the people there as they are, warts and all! However, if you immediately start telling people "Well, back where we came from, we did that this way!", they will NEVER accept you, and you will never be happy. If you start complaining about the dead deer and elk in the back of pickups during hunting season, you will never fit in with the community. If you don't like the sight of a rifle or two on a rack in the back window of a pickup, Northwestern Montana probably isn't a place you want to live.
In other words, leave your old life behind, and embrace the lifestyle of your new location, and you will be fine.

[organick]

eric..... I think almost any friendly easy going couple will fit in missoula. Dont woory about the dead animal comment, many folks in missoula cringe at that, but many also hunt soo... Jobs that pay well arent easy to find. I know alot of people with degrees working for 10/hr but 2 10/hr jobs is 40k a year so yes you can def make it, especially if your just looking for an apt. missoula has some good culture, accepting of all lifestyles, etc. This being said its not for everyone. there is basically nothing but small towns outside missoula for at least 2 hours in all directions, there is 5 months of grey weather every year, not exactly a huge night life scene or abundance of that sort of thing ( more laid back, everyones just hangs out) But like red raven said if you move to montana be prepared to be a montanan (?) not someone from mn in montana. hope it helps

[Mt-7]

In other words, leave your old life behind, and embrace the lifestyle of your new location, and you will be fine.[/quote]

Best advice I have seen in a long time. Montana is so much more than the Missoula area, look around. Good Luck.

[ericksje]

Thanks a lot for all the comments, everyone. You're definitely helping to make the decision to move a lot easier.