Let's be honest, there's a whole lot about Montana to love.

The scenery, the adventure, the "Montana way of life".  It really is the last best place, or at least it used to be.  However, as people continue to flock to the state, the once-friendly and welcoming attitude has taken a few steps back.

Don't get me wrong, most Montanans are super friendly and absolutely willing to help out anyone they meet, but some things have certainly changed over the last decade or so according to locals. Often folks will tell me about the "good old days" and how things used to be.

They miss the old Montana and fear that those days are gone forever.

While many of the smaller Montana towns are just as friendly as they ever were, some of the bigger or more popular towns have gone through some "growing pains" and let's just say it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing. So what's happened?  What's changed?  Why are we not as friendly as we once were?

Non-Montanans Moving To Montana

People have been moving to Montana since there was a Montana.  However, in the last couple of decades, the population has really grown, especially in places like Bozeman.  The number one complaint from locals or people that have been here for many years is that they "want to change things".

I completely understand the frustration on this.

If you're going to move someplace new, you need to embrace the traditions and way of life of the place you're moving to. Why would you move somewhere, and then try and turn it into something that it isn't?  That makes no sense to me, nor does it make sense to a whole lot of Montanans.

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
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Social Media

Social Media can be a big ole' pain in the...well, you know. Although the rudeness on social media certainly isn't just targeted here in Montana, the negativity from the platform certainly has had an effect on attitudes and outlooks here. For whatever reason, there seems to be some sort of security for some folks sitting behind a screen and spewing out things that most people wouldn't actually say in person it's both annoying and amusing.

Social media allows people to be "brave" in the most cowardly way.

Photo by Jeremy Bezanger on Unsplash
Photo by Jeremy Bezanger on Unsplash
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High Cost Of Living

Living in Montana is expensive.  Housing costs are through the roof and rent prices continue to skyrocket, that is of course if you can find a place to live.  Many Montanans have to deal with the reality that the place they've always loved and called "home", may not be their home if the trends continue in the direction they've been going. They simply won't be able to afford to stay.

Throw in the fact that we're paying 4 bucks a gallon for gas, plus more for food and other supplies and people are a little on edge.

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jackaldu
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Don't get me wrong, as mentioned above, Montana is still a super friendly place where you will find people that wave when they pass, will pull over and help with a flat, or stop by and shoot the breeze for a few minutes.

What do you think?  Do you agree that Montana has lost some of its "magic"?  Do you think the best days are behind? Or, is this just a little bump in the road and like most things, this too, shall pass?

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