How cold is Missoula -- really?

[SaveTheWild]

We are always on the lookout for good places to move to. We are planning a move to either SLC, Park City, Boulder Area, Boise, or perhaps Bend, Or, in the next couple of years... But I am also really tempted by Missoula. We are looking for a place with four seasons, a relatively well-educated, liberal population, and ideally ethinicially diverse, or at least ethnically aware, tolerant, and progressive (we are a mixed race anglo/hispanic couple), with a decent job market and great access to outdoors.

I visited Missoula once and thought it was absolutely great. Beauthiful, college in town, accessible outdoors, ets. My one concern is that I would freeze my knockers off... I grew up in SLC, UT (no, I'm not mormon... LOL) and I am used to snow and real winters, but SLC is much warmer overall that Missoula. Do you get really sick of winter? Do you ever really go out in shorts and a tank top?

Will I be able to plant a garden?

any thoughts would be much appreciated.

[MaWhit]

Here's a comparison for you:


1st #'s=Missoula, 2nd #'s=Salt Lake City


Winter Temperature Range------ 15/47 ---- 19/44
Spring Temperature Range------- 31/74 ----- 31/72
Summer Temperature Range------- 40/83 ----- 55/92
Fall Temperature Range----- 16/57 ---- 31/79
Annual Precipitation ----- 13.00" ---- 16.18"
Annual Snowfall ------ 46.0" ----- 57.0"


edited to clarify lack of formatting.

[lilyka]

I have never been to missula but moved to Bozeman for a short while. Froze nearly to death and in the middle of summer no less. Marched my frozen butt right back to south dakota. ya know it is cold when south dakota sounds preferable.

[mamapixie]

Ya know, Fargo, ND is very ethnically diverse(alot of refugees have been coming to Fargo for the last 10-15 years, in fact my SIL's best friend is a Bosnian refugee), has a great job market, decent housing, and you get the 4 seasons.

Yeah, I'm biased, I grew up in Fargo(although I'm not living there now, living in a small town an hour away) but it is a nice city.

[lilyka]

I think people largely overlook the midwest. Sioux Falls is gorgeous too. Four very defined seasonbe, cultre, diversity, large city convience with a small town feel. Growing up I never knew this part of the country even existed. Now i wouldn't leave.

[meagen]

It really does get warm here!!! I promise:) We have a very successful garden and I live in tank tops from mid=june through early september. I recommend Missoula to anyone willing to listen, i'm in love with it. Unfortunately, we're moving soon:crying truely this is the place i want to raise kids...

[flatheadjane]

I agree with all your hopeful criteria for a place to live. Grew up in Missoula, love it. Have had a great garden...and do own a few tank tops as well as live in my sandals till late July (jokes). Well, of course we have 4 seasons, sometimes all in one day. The standing joke in MT is "If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes, it'll change."

Live furthur north in the Flathead valley now. Fresher air...less crowding...slower pace. But also very conservative. However, it doesn't stop us. My partner is 6'3", long hair, tatooed, and pierced. He works in a Montessori preschool, and I chase around our preschoolers at home...

basically, we have found a great community within this community...

Good luck to you, and come visit at any rate.

Peace,

JJ (flatheadjane@hotmail.com)

and

Tracy the tall one (lostbear10@hotmail.com)

[SaveTheWild]

thanks everyone for your input on this. We are putting so much time and effort into deciding where to move that it can be really overwhelming. I just have to keep reminding myself that it doesn't have to be perfect, and if I make the "wrong" choice, we can always move. Missoula sounds great from what people have said -- man, it makes it even harder. I was hoping to be able to just cross it off my list for being too cold :-)