Bozeman is an idyllic place. We have small local businesses that support other small local businesses. Plenty of health conscience individuals, restaurants and grocers. ‘No idling’ policies at schools to promote clean air and healthy choices. Neighbors you can count on with nice neighborhoods that are safe and pleasant. While native Montanans expect nothing less, many who come here for a visit are blown away by our “normal”.

Bozeman is certainly not a town that every family can choose to pack up and move to, although I do know families who have done it within the past year. Bozeman is expensive, for Montana, what seems reasonable to you might be a burden to others. Many graduates of Montana State University leave Bozeman because they can’t find a good job. Others choose to take low paying jobs in fields unrelated to their degree because they would rather stay for the lifestyle. Many others create their own jobs by creating or purchasing businesses and work hard to live their dream.

These individuals are what I call Montana’s rugged individualists. The rugged individualist has marked the personality of this state since before it became a United States territory in 1864. This resident, city or rural folk, defines the Montana way of life. There is an opportunity in Bozeman not only to find good work and a good career, but to shape your character around living here. The lure of rugged individualism is enticing and often manageable with hard work and persistence for those who truly wish to stay in this “Last Best Place”.

Recently I had a conversation with old friends about rural Montana, and in particular Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota. The changes and growth in these places can be uncomfortable, and bring an increase of population that isn’t always wanted in a small community. Although these communities may be seeing growth in population and income, they are not necessarily seeing quality growth in other areas that are important to residents, like education or medical care. Our conversation came around to Bozeman, which has also seen its share of ongoing progress. I told them that what sets us apart from other places is that an overwhelming majority of Bozeman residents are here because they want to be, because it is a really good place to live. In return, our residents possess boundless enthusiasm to cultivate what makes life here special.

Our schools are top notch, filled to the brim with creative, energetic, resourceful teachers and administrators who want the very best for our children. Bozeman Deaconess Hospital attracts bright, caring practitioners who opt to make less money than they would in a practice elsewhere, because they appreciate the Bozeman quality of life.

           The low crime rate is another reason people choose to come here and stay. We have one and a half police officers for every 1,000 people. Thefts make up about 80% of our crime, while burglary is only 8% and assault 5%. The January 2014 armed robbery at Bozeman’s Dominos Pizza was the first instance where a burglar fired his weapon during a robbery in Bozeman since 1980! No one was injured in the 2014 robbery, but in 1980 a Pizza Hut employee was killed.
It is unfair for natives to dislike out-of-staters for wanting more for themselves and their families by coming here or moving here and attempting to fit in. It is also unfair for transplants to move in and expect that Bozeman be like wherever they came from in one way or the other. Bozeman will continue to change and grow, and we can probably all get what we want from it, in some way we are all a part of the problem, and certainly can be part of the solution.

Bozeman will continue to make the ‘top ten’ lists (Top Ten Winter Cities 2013, (Livability.com), Best Towns Ever 2013 (Outside Magazine), Best Places to Live 2011(Money Magazine), Best Place to Retire 2007 (US News and World Report), etc. Our town is admired for being less crowded, having less concrete and less stress; boasting more nature, open space, a distinct climate and serenity that many other places cannot offer. Top Ten lists are a native’s worst nightmare making Bozeman a magnet to outsiders. Instead of cringing in the face of the next list, we should hold our heads high and be grateful for what we have and where we live. Better to focus on the picturesque natural simplicity of this place, appreciating the clean air while we allow our thoughts to reflect the same.     
 
Angie Ripple is a Montana native and eighteen year Bozeman resident, living the dream with rugged individualism.