Are Montanans Mean? Maybe They Have Good Reason To Be

I have a friend who was born and raised here in Montana. She asked me the other day how it was going and if I enjoyed living here in Bozeman.

I think my answer surprised her.

I was honest with her, though. I told her that I loved Montana and moving back was something I've wanted to do since I left. I can't really put it into words, but there is something about Montana that soothes the soul. Plus, being this close to mountains is heavenly.

She asked me how things had changed since I left, once again, I was honest.  I told her I didn't remember people being so...mean.

Now before you get ready to fire off a bunch of negative comments and tell me "to go back where I came from", let me clarify.  I get it, I really do.  I understand the frustration and the anger.

You're born and raised in a place and all of the sudden all kinds of people start moving there and they want this and that. I've talked to a few business owners and they all tell me the same thing. People move here from a certain area that will go unnamed and they start demanding things.

They drive up the cost of everything.  They try to change all the rules. Before you know it, the town that you've always loved is no longer the town you've always loved.  You can't afford to buy a house and rent is ridiculous and continues to go up, yet, you don't want to move away from everything you've always known.

So what do you do?  Well, you get pissed off. If that was me, I'd be pissed off as well.

Having said all of that, Montanans still continue to help each other out.  A perfect example would be the Amtrak derailment that happened around Joplin over the weekend.  Dozens of locals from all over the area rushed to the scene to help and assist however they could.

Some of the nicest people I've ever known are from Montana. They are kind, caring, and willing to do whatever they can to help, as long as you don't try to change things.

Just for the record, I'm not looking to change anything.  Well, I'd like to see the housing become more affordable, because what I pay in rent is outrageous. However, if you feel the need to tell me to "go home", I understand.