Living in Missoula - yer thoughts?

I'm interviewing for a job in Missoula so starting to consider the idea of maybe moving there, if that's the way the cards fall. Anybody care to comment on your love or hate of the place? How does the downtown feel? What about the access to good trad or sport climbing? How are springs, summers, and falls there, or is it a perpetual arctic winter? Thoughts on quality and cost of life?

.............most importantly is there a climbing gym for the winters??

Many people such as myself love Missoula, but it is an acquired taste.  Your question about "How does the downtown feel?" is a good hint that you will experience severe culture shock.  Living in Missoula is not about living in Missoula - it is about having access to a vast wilderness.  If that is not your priority, than look elsewhere.  I've witnessed about 20 similar situations firsthand, and only maybe 4 of the people were able to fit in.  You might want to visit there for a couple days first before committing to something long term.

I lived in Missoula for 3 years. I've also lived in Bozeman, Billings, and spent significant time in Helena. So here is my opinion:

I love Missoula. I'm going to slightly disagree with the above poster in that for me it always was about Missoula, not just the access. Missoula is probably the most culturally diverse city in Montana, but it's still Montana so for you coming from Brooklyn it will definitely be a huge culture shock. Still, Missoula very much has a college town feel to it and there is always something going on downtown. It is incredibly easy to bike around town, and it is one hell of a drinking town. I feel like quality of life there is pretty high, cost of living is nothing compared to the east coast but definitely high for Montana (Bozeman/Kalispell excluded). You should be able to find a room in a house for $300-$400, or a one-bedroom apartment starting around $700.

As far as climate, Missoula has a way better climate than New York. Being on the west side of the Divide, Missoula is much more temperate than most of Montana. Highs usually get down to the single digits for only a week or so each winter. Winters are perpetually grey, but that's often caused by inversions so get up into the mountains all winter and you'll see the sun. Spring and Fall are pleasant, Summers are smokey.

Access for climbing is pretty good. I guess that depends on perspective, but moving from Brooklyn you'll probably be blown away. Most climbing is at least a 35min drive but within an hour and a half you have numerous Bitterroot canyons, granite domes of Lolo Pass, and the limestone fins out by Drummond. Check out Blodgett Canyon and Kootenai Canyon. Most of the beta is by word-of-mouth, .pdf guidebooks, or hand-drawn topos. The climbing community is incredibly friendly and open. You'll be able to get out climbing a few days in the winter too on south facing cliffs. If it gets real bad you can drive 5hr east and climb choss with half of Seattle at Vantage.

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Keatan wrote: I lived in Missoula for 3 years. I've also lived in Bozeman, Billings, and spent significant time in Helena. So here is my opinion:

. If it gets real bad you can drive 5hr east and climb choss with half of Seattle at Vantage.

Jesus, that's desperate!  I've never lived in Missoula, but I will say that it is the only place I've ever seen a beautiful woman with a fat dip of chew in her lip.  How's that for diversity?!?  

Lived there for 9 years.  Local climbing at Kootenai Canyon, Blodgett Canyon, Lolo Pass, among others is good (especially Blodgett).  You'll probably also want to buy a raft and a fly rod.

I lived in Livingston and Bozeman for about 3 years, went to Missoula many times, and knew many people in Missoula. Everyone I knew in Missoula liked it a lot and they had a variety of interests - fishing, trail running, kayaking, backpacking, hot springs, etc.. I always enjoyed myself out and about town and obviously there is tons of good trail and wilderness access nearby. I can't speak to the climbing with much depth but I have sport climbed at a few places under an hour from the city and it was fine. I don't know about trad. Anyway, if you like the outdoors generally then you'll probably be happy in Missoula for that if nothing else.

Hi Danny. I grew up in Livingston and lived in Bozeman for about 10 years. Great place, I agree with all the post above. Missoula is supposed to have a bigger young scene. My only issue with the area is the lack of climbing,  not that you can't climb, but the season is short and finicky. You have 4 seasons in one day sometimes and the shoulder season is always wet. Definetly pick up a few more hobbies like fishing, trail running, skiing, and mountain biking. Literally as many as you can, and you'll be happy :) Oh and definitely ice climbing!

Sarah-Min Donahue wroteMy only issue with the area is the lack of climbing,  not that you can't climb, but the season is short and finicky. You have 4 seasons in one day sometimes and the shoulder season is always wet. 

I disagree with this. Most of the rock in the Bitterroot is south facing. I’ve climbed rock as early as March and as late as November. Additionally, I know people who were out climbing rock yesterday. Hand warmers and layers will go a long way to extending your climbing season.

Dallin Carey wrote:

I disagree with this. Most of the rock in the Bitterroot is south facing. I’ve climbed rock as early as March and as late as November. Additionally, I know people who were out climbing rock yesterday. Hand warmers and layers will go a long way to extending your climbing season.

Yes, absolutely.  I learned to climb outside in the middle of January.  It is a little hard to climb though when it's raining, or snowing and the rock is soaked. I guess it's just perspective, and if you have a schedule that allows you to get out whenever the weather allows you, your gonna have a good time. If you only have one or two specific days a week, it might be a little difficult to align your climbing days with cooperative weather. Also no matter how motivated you are it can be a bit difficult to motivate partners. I learned to rope solo and increased my climbing days. I've had allot of motivated partners come from the Missoula area though so you might have better luck living in that area.

I’m actually moving out there in a few months myself thanks for the post. If you need a belay partner let me know haha.
For the locals, why is Kootenai canyon closed? Looks like it’s the best climbing in the area. 

Paul Davis wrote: I’m actually moving out there in a few months myself thanks for the post. If you need a belay partner let me know haha.
For the locals, why is Kootenai canyon closed? Looks like it’s the best climbing in the area. 

A fair portion of it is on private property, which was recently bought by a MP user (Angela Kalar). They have liability concerns, and are currently working out the legal details, as far as I know. A search of MP will turn up the relevant thread.

Different, but related, question: what do you locals think about the ski touring access from missoula?

(Asking as someone has lived there seasonally in summer but never winter and considering the full move up there)