Best towns to live in the "Bitteroot" Valley for family (Missoula: high school, community college)

[family first]

Hey Folks, just had someone out West tell me that this area is very beautiful and a great area to possible look at for relocating family. Not familiar with Montana but am curious about a place to make some roots. Are there several towns that make up this area? Would be wanting a good place for high school age and college age kids. Good health care around for emergencies, great neighbors, and a town that is quaint with a vibrant feel to it. I've heard this is kind of a friendlier weather area compared to some other areas in Montana.

Any info would be helpful as we are searching for a new place to call home.

Thanks

[NW Crow]

Hamilton is the main population center. Less than 5k in town but near 20k in that area. 42k in county. Lolo is an exurb of Missoula. Florence and Stevensville have commuters but look and feel more like small towns (2k or less). South of Hamilton is very rural and much more conservative on average than the northern reach of county.

Hamilton has a high security biological / disease research center as a large employer and curiosity / possible worry for some. Makes the town higher income that the typical small MT town, as does presence of retirees from elsewhere.

Hamilton has a small hospital.

Hamilton also has a small community college affiliated with Univ. of MT with a diverse set of program options. could be a place to go or at least start some path. https://www.umt.edu/bitterroot-colle...ry/default.php

American Legion baseball: https://www.teampages.com/teams/1372...l-team-website

https://406mtsports.com/baseball/leg...45827850a.html

Somewhat milder than some places in MT but don't expect much difference. "Banana belt" is kind of an exaggeration. Relevant for growing some crops not realistic elsewhere but not much warmer. Snow, I'd call moderate but it depends on exact elevation / location and one's standards.

Several lifestyle options within county. Worth checking. Where to live depends on balancing your interests in Missoula and / or Hamilton with small town or rural living.

[NDak15]

Originally Posted by family first

Hey Folks, just had someone out West tell me that this area is very beautiful and a great area to possible look at for relocating family. Not familiar with Montana but am curious about a place to make some roots. Are there several towns that make up this area? Would be wanting a good place for high school age and college age kids. Good health care around for emergencies, great neighbors, and a town that is quaint with a vibrant feel to it. I've heard this is kind of a friendlier weather area compared to some other areas in Montana.

Any info would be helpful as we are searching for a new place to call home.

Thanks

You were told? Have you ever even been there? Visit in the summer and winter. Don't be a tourist in the winter. Check out the cost of living and see if wages will keep up.

[family first]

Haven't been there that is why I am asking to see if there s any immediate feedback good or bad. Planning on making a trip or two up there just to get a vibe of the area. So a little more insight might help out.

Thanks

[NDak15]

Originally Posted by family first

Haven't been there that is why I am asking to see if there s any immediate feedback good or bad. Planning on making a trip or two up there just to get a vibe of the area. So a little more insight might help out.

Thanks

I'll reiterate, go in the summer and be a tourist if you want, and then go on the winter. Or just go in the winter.

[ejisme]

The county is pretty isolated the further south you go on Hwy 93. It is one of the areas in the country you can do everything and never drive on a freeway. That can be pretty nice and makes it pretty quiet. Same with not having a railroad going through the valley. The issue for a family moving to the area is the isolation. Missoula is only an hour or so to the North, but that's google maps time, not real drive time, especially in the winter. But, it is still close enough as a "getaway" weekend city when you need something bigger than the town you pick to live in. Absolutely a winter visit is needed before picking up and moving to that area, or any area in Montana. As mentioned above, about 42k people live in the valley. Likely most of them are happy to be there.

[volosong]

My brother and his wife live in the valley. He has traveled the world throughout his 20-year career, courtesy of Uncle Sam. Post-Navy, he has traveled, lived, and worked in many areas of the States. Even with all that exposure to different places and cultures, he choose to live his retirement years in Stevensville.

[nowhereman427]

iSN'T the Bitterroot Valley rural living?

[NW Crow]

As I tried to indicate, there are options. You can be in a suburb of Missoula (Lolo or thereabouts), small towns (Florence, Stevensville), smaller towns (Darby. Pinedale, etc.), the somewhat bigger town of Hamilton, rural subdivisions or rural with a modest amount of neighbors off a main road, or rural out there or way out there mostly on your own.

[NDak15]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

iSN'T the Bitterroot Valley rural living?

Yes, like most of Montana.