First post here. I've been here for 10 years and Crime rate is something to consider -Missoula sits at 411.0 per 100K. Household incomes average around $65,329 in Missoula. Homes are going for about $427,400 on average. Poverty rate is 6.1%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up.
3 upvotes
23 Replies
Hazel Thomas
Totally agree!
40 upvotes
Axel J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 25, moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
39 upvotes
Isla K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Austin about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Jameson Cruz
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Brian C.
100%
37 upvotes
James Ross
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much affordable but now it's hit or miss.
35 upvotes
omahafan2023
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Addison Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 15 years. Moved from Atlanta for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Can feel isolated. Dating scene is rough. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Everly Walker
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
33 upvotes
Kennedy B.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
nycdude2022
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Serenity Brooks
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Nora Walker
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Oliver Collins
I've lived in Riverside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- The weather scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
oaklandfan2025
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Italian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
15 upvotes
Charlotte R.
I work in construction here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is underrated. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Hannah Y.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
10 upvotes
Axel
I'm a physical therapist and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
9 upvotes
Brooks Ross
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 10 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Evelyn Torres
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Eleanor Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 4 years. Moved from Raleigh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Can feel isolated. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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