Reflections: Why Missoula?
Where are you from?
It’s a simple question for many.
Not for me.
I grew up in three states and two countries. By the time I was four, I had six stamps in my passport. My father is a doctor and my mother stayed home with me and my brother. But, still, we moved.
When I left home for college, I never came back. To be clear, I still visited my family, but like a tumbleweed, I worked summer jobs and traveled over school breaks. I was never “home” again.
Never home till I made it to Montana. I took a job right out of college in Billings and worked there for five years. Then an intra-company transfer brought me to Missoula in 2012. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was truly home.
We bought a house and had two babies. This summer I realized I have lived in Missoula longer than I have lived anywhere else in my life. And guess what? We’re never leaving.
So why Missoula?
There are so many answers to that question, but here are a few of my favorite things about raising a family in this little valley.
Access to the Outdoors- The first time we were looking for homes, we missed a turn in the Rattlesnake and -BOOM- we were in a national recreation area. Between Pattee Canyon, Blue Mountain, the Rattlesnake and numerous river accesses right in town adventure is always at your doorstep.
Education - Missoula County Public Schools offer a great education for kids of all ages. Paxson Elementary offers dual language immersion letting kids spend half their day speaking Spanish and half their day speaking English. Hellgate High School has an International Baccalaureate program, allowing students to gain valuable college credits while still in high school. Not only are our schools great, but people here support them. Levies and bonds pass with little effort, ensuring students and teachers have the funding they need.
Stuff to do - Missoula may seem remote, but it’s big enough to attract major concerts and shows. We’re talking about BIG names. Names like Pearl Jam, Paul McCartney, and Mumford and Sons just to name a few. The University of Montana also provides a stream of sporting events, speakers and volunteer opportunities. You’re never looking for something to do.
Great People- All it takes is one visit to the Saturday morning Markets to see that Missoula is home to a unique mix of people. You’ll see troubadours playing on the street corners, mothers hanging silks and doing aerial yoga while their kids play on the fish sculptures, business owners hawking their goods, and farmers selling local produce. There’s room for everyone.
While I never had a “home” growing up, I’m proud to call Missoula my new home. Our kids will have a much easier time answering the question: where are you from?
