If you have watched the movie ‘River Runs through It’, starring Brad Pitt, then you would know how beautiful Missoula is. Missoula, or the hub of five valleys as it is commonly known, is a beautiful city in the state of Montana. With picturesque views marked by rivers and the convergence of five mountains, this city is a perfect place for people who want to live a life in touch with nature and rich cultural heritage.
If you are planning to leave your city life behind and move to this scenic city, then here are some things you should know about it:
Cost of living
Cost of living in Missoula is a bit higher than the average cost of living in Montana. Missoula stands at 103 on the cost of living index.
The cost of living comprises of several categories, out of which housing stands at 30%. The median cost of a house in Missoula is $241,000 while the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $722.
Missoula is divided into various districts. If you have a low budget, you can opt for districts such as Westside, Franklin and Lewis & Clark since they have more affordable rental rates starting at $650.
If however, you are willing to shell out more than $900, you can go for places like Orchard Homes, Emma Dickson or Riverfront.
Other costs would include groceries, transportation, and schooling, etc. Remain mindful that as far as transportation is concerned, public transport is not very commendable since buses are limited to the center of the city and the University of Missouri.
One thing you don’t need to worry about at all is the internet service in the area since Spectrum offers amazing internet plans at great prices.
Healthcare
Healthcare is one of the most crucial factors you should study before you decide to move to any place. Luckily, Montana has an extensive healthcare system. Not only does the state have excellent hospitals, but also great insurance plans that will cover you. There are three insurance companies that provide 29 extensive insurance plans for you to choose from. 24 of these plans come with the Preferred Provider option, whereby you can choose a provider of your own choice. If you are not interested in paying premium pricing and want to go for a lower-priced option, then you can select one of the five plans that come with a primary care physician. The lowest deductible that you can pay is $ $546.87 per month, offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana.
Outdoor activities
Since this city is located at the junction of Clark Fork, Bitterroot, and Blackfoot rivers, it is surrounded by wilderness and scenic beauty. The varied possibilities of outdoor activity make this city one of the best places to live in the US. There is a host of outdoor activities you can opt from. The city is known for its blue-ribbon flying fish, and you can plan an outing where you can go fishing at Placid and Salmon Lake State Parks.
Other than that, the city gives you the opportunity to go skating and skiboarding. If you are an expert snowboarder, then you can head towards Snowbowl. The place is not very crowded, and you can enjoy steep trails at reasonable prices. The city also has a park for people who are interested in skateboarding. The Monash Skate Park has all sorts of rails, ramps, and benches for all levels of skateboarding.
Also, the city is surrounded by two amazing parks, Glacier & Yellowstone National, as well as the vast Lolo National Forest. The forest offers a plethora of recreational activities such as biking, hiking, trekking, and snowmobiling. If you are solely interested in trekking, then you can go to Mount Sentinel, which has a huge ‘M’ on it and has been considered a landmark since 1908. This trek is excellent for trekkers of all ages. Just after trekking a few miles, you start to see the bird’s eye view of the University of Montana, the Missoula valley and the Clark Fork River.
Events and activities
Missoula is a city for creativity and artists. Every year it hosts loads of festivals and events that unleash your creativity. Take a walk in the downtown and treat yourself on a tour of historic buildings as well as the Missoula Art Museum. The museum has various collections on display including contemporary American Indian art.
The University of Montana is one of the best universities in the state and plays a huge role in engaging the habitants of Missoula. Every year it holds Easter Extravaganza where children search for oval treats on the campus.
The town is also full of music venues, some scrumptious restaurants, and bars. Missoula breweries are another attraction if you are a beer lover. The city also holds several festivals such as Garden City Brewfest and several free concerts that allow the residents to enjoy scenic beauty along with some amazing music.
Shopping is not an issue in Missoula. The city has a host of options for your retail therapy. Southgate Mall is the most convenient option. With around 10,000 brands, it has you covered. Some other areas include North reserve, South crossing, and the Hip Strip.
Are you ready to move to Missoula?
We believe you are convinced to move to Missoula. After all, what is there to lose? This city offers an amazing lifestyle and a good quality of life. In fact, you could say it is a perfect blend of town and country. So, it saves you from the hustle-bustle of the city but also gives you a little touch of town life in case you are not someone who is used to the serene countryside.
You are always surrounded by nature and serene beauty. Moreover, with so many trails and parks, you can take amazing day trips at a lower cost and without having to step out of the city. The best part is perhaps that you get all these benefits at a reasonable cost of living.
Nina Smith