I watched a YouTube video the other night made by an outdoor adventurer. He travels the western United States exploring and sharing his experiences. He lives in Idaho, but seems drawn to western Wyoming and southwestern Montana. In the video he explores the west end of the Gallatin Valley and tours the Blue Horses sculpture by Jim Dolan, the Madison Buffalo Jump, and the Beartrap,  places that those of us who live here take for granted. He admits that he would love to live in Montana but, for family reasons, cannot. The comments below his video are filled with yearning and regret from people who would love to live in SW Montana or at least visit more often, yet also do not have the means to do so.

So why is it that many of us who do live here spend so much time complaining? The rent, the prices, the out-of-staters, the traffic, the crowds, the high rises, the long lines at the Western Cafe. Sure, things can get frustrating. Yet, all the problems that exist in Bozeman exist elsewhere—and in most other places are much worse (and the places where they exist are not as wonderful). We are still a small city and, though we may not recognize everyone at Town and Country, we can still smile or nod.

Not all that long ago the problems in Bozeman were of a different nature. A generation of kids from around Montana and other locales came to college at MSU in the 60s and 70s. We loved the place so much that after graduating we determined to stay here, whatever the hardships. Many of us never used our degrees but worked as bank tellers and carpenters, grocery clerks and janitors. Anyone who had a job kept it, regardless of pay or conditions, as there were no others. There was no traffic on N 19th because there was no N 19th.

We all raised our families and sent the kids to school in one of the best educational systems in the state. In the summer they went to Sports Camp at MSU. We skied and camped and fished and rooted for the ‘Cats. Oh hell, there were complaints enough; that is human nature, but that overall choice to be here was not questioned. These were not rich outsiders but mostly Montanans who had even fewer prospects in their hometowns. Not everyone made it; some had to leave for Seattle or Denver, or head back to the Midwest. There was an entire colony of former Bozeman residents in Portland, Oregon. Those are the people who commented in the section below the video. With yearning and regret, they had to leave.

Our town and citizens hoped for better, for more students and more jobs at MSU, for some kind of high tech, non-polluting, high paying jobs, for more opportunities. Guess what? We got it all. Boom! High tech companies with high paying jobs. New schools, new city parks. How many universities around the U.S. are constructing new buildings, and welcoming more students each year? MSU is one of them. A thriving downtown, new commercial districts. Yet now that all of that is here it is not quite right, not quite fair, not all fun. Holy Hawkeye! Look around… better yet, get outside and enjoy yourself. This valley is one of the greatest places ever; the similar valley over to the east is actually called Paradise.

Before I get run out of town, I will admit that many of the criticisms are valid. Back in the day the pay was five bucks an hour, but the rent was affordable. A couple, both working, could afford a down payment on a house after saving hard for five years. That is no longer the case. Yet affordability in housing and goods is not just a Bozeman problem; it exists worldwide, as does homelessness.

We have elected new people to the City Commission who have the concerns of underhoused and homeless people at the front of their agenda. I hope these issues can be mitigated, or at least lessened. Get involved, help with these issues by voting and volunteering. In the meantime, head up to Bridger or Hyalite. It may take a bit of effort to get beyond the crowds, but it is possible.

Don’t forget the privilege of being where we are. And it is an earned privilege, not a right. Complaining is also a right but not very effective at getting anything accomplished. So let’s all be thankful, welcoming, and whether on the street, the trail, at the store or the coffeeshop, put on a smile and remember all of those others who can only watch videos of the place we get to be in every day.