Not sure if this has been asked before, but Household incomes average around $65,329 in Missoula. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
3 upvotes
3 Replies
Samantha B.
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
14 upvotes
coastal_emilia79
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 44, moved here 12 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Fairview and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Houston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
14 upvotes
Hannah Roberts
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
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