Is Bozeman, Montana Welcoming?

Everyone can agree that Bozeman, Montana has seen big changes in the past decade. The population has continued to increase as Bozeman became the fastest-growing micropolitan city in the U.S for two years in a row. Home prices have been steadily rising and it has gotten difficult to keep up with all the developments, especially with the number of condos going up downtown. All of this has changed the community and has certainly created some growing pains. One thing we can all agree on is that Bozeman has always been known for its friendly people. But, with all the growth is this getting lost? Is Bozeman still a welcoming place for a newcomer? Go down the rabbit hole of a few Reddit threads and it starts to feel like maybe not, but we like to think there is still hope.

When did Bozeman stop being welcoming?

If you ask someone who moved to Bozeman 20 years ago, they would likely say they were welcomed with open arms. In the early 2000s, Bozeman was growing at a reasonable pace, and the locals were happy to embrace newcomers. It was exciting to meet people from different places and learn why they chose Bozeman. At that time, most people had never even heard of Bozeman, Montana—long before it made it onto various "best of" lists.

However, things began to change. At first, the recognition was slow, with only a few articles featuring Bozeman, and more tourists starting to visit, but there wasn’t a significant lifestyle change. Covid changed everything and brought with it an influx of newcomers. This is when we began to hear complaints about too many people moving to Bozeman or concerns about becoming the next Boulder, Colorado, or Bend, Oregon. As the community grows, people have become more hesitant to extend the “welcome to our town” mentality and are now more protective of the things they love about Bozeman. This has led to a growing sense of entitlement within the community—when exactly should they have decided to close the doors to new residents?

Native vs Local vs Newcomer

Finding a native Montanan (aka born in the state) in Bozeman is becoming increasingly rare, but they are still around! Those who grew up in Bozeman tend to be friendly and welcoming, yet many resist the growth because they don’t want the character of the town to change. There are also locals who appreciate having moved to Bozeman, but wish to close the door behind them. 

 This raises the question: when does a newcomer become a local? How many years must one live here to earn that title? We all know someone who reminisces about "old Bozeman" or "before Bozeman became Boz-Angeles." Is it fair for someone who has lived here for 15 years to feel more entitled to the essence of Bozeman than someone who has only been here for 5 years? Or do those nostalgic sentiments warrant greater legitimacy only from lifelong residents?  

What about those who were born and raised in Bozeman, left for a time, and then returned? They are technically natives, but how do they fit into this discussion?  

Ultimately, it comes down to this: no one is entitled to a place. Whether you are a native, a long-time local, or a newcomer, we should all strive to be welcoming. After all, that is the foundation on which Bozeman was built.

What can we do?

The conversation surrounding Bozeman’s rapid growth and changes stems from a place of concern. Residents, regardless of how long they’ve lived here, worry about losing what makes our town special. This concern is valid, especially as we’ve witnessed similar transformations in nearby towns like Boulder, Colorado; Bend, Oregon; and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Such changes have often led to negative consequences, including skyrocketing home prices, difficulty finding employees, and increases in crime and traffic.

It’s important to remember that we all desire the same thing. Those of us fortunate enough to call Bozeman home want to avoid the issues that can arise from rapid development. Meanwhile, those considering a move to Bozeman do so in search of a better quality of life. Many are drawn here by the charm of a small town, a sense of community, and access to endless outdoor opportunities. We wholeheartedly welcome newcomers for these reasons.

However, it can be challenging to embrace those who arrive with big-city attitudes—such as rushing around, road rage, and poor trail manners. Ultimately, we all want Bozeman to remain a special place known for its friendly residents, whether they’ve lived here for five months, twenty years, or their entire lives.

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