Are You A Local?

When can you be considered a local in Montana? Depending on who you ask you’re likely to get a different answer. For some you’re only a true local if you’re born in Montana; for other’s it’s as soon as you move here and start integrating into the community. The answer is often debated!

Our community has grown at an incredible rate the past decade and we’ve seen people move here from all over the country. I haven’t yet asked anyone “do you consider yourself a local?” but likely after a year or so many would consider themselves to be. Without any  intention of offending someone, I do tend to ask people where they’re from out of curiosity. Lately, when I ask that question people answer in an almost apologetic tone sharing that they’ve moved from elsewhere (often California, Texas or Colorado). They continue on with enthusiasm sharing with my why they chose Bozeman and why they love it so much.

On another end of the spectrum there’s a large group that barely considers themselves to be locals even though they’ve been in the area for 40+ years. This group tends to be from New England and moved out to Bozeman for college and never left. When you ask them where they’re from they never say Bozeman, even though they’ve been here through the most dramatic changes of the area. For them a true local is someone born here.

So what about someone that was born here but moved away for a while - are they still considered a local? I speak from experience as I was born and raised in Bozeman until I was 12 but then only spent summers here from then on until I moved back full time in 2010. I personally consider myself a local; however, my husband usually doesn’t consider me a true local because I spent so much time away during some formative years.

My opinion on it all? Being a local is more about how you act and contribute to a community versus how long you’ve been here. And luckily anyone that’s living in Bozeman has chosen to be here because they love the same views, space and outdoor recreation opportunities that I do, so we all have something in common. Have thoughts on this? Don’t hesitate to reach out!