Growing up in a small town is an experience like no other, especially when you live in Montana. In a state where even the bigger cities have a small town vibe, the rural areas are especially close-knit. This kind of living might not be for everyone, but it’s actually a great way to grow up.

Here are 10 reasons why growing up in a small town in Montana is the best:

  1. You get to see the most beautiful parts of the state.

Mark Smith/Flickr Rolling hills, grassy fields, skylines not littered with tall buildings. Just gorgeous.

  1. You grow up with a sense of community.

Jimmy Emerson/DVM There’s not much mystery in a small town. But there’s something comforting about knowing everyone. It’s like being raised by a big extended family.

  1. You learn some serious skills.

Martin LaBar/Flickr Depending on which part of Montana you grow up in, small town living can mean learning hunting, fishing, learning about the habits of wildlife, helping with farming and learning how to stay warm in ridiculously cold temperatures. At the very least, you’ll be doing chores and mowing the lawn from a young age and you’ll learn to be self-sufficient.

  1. Friendships last forever.

dchrisoh/Flickr Being raised in a small town might mean there are fewer children to make friends with, but you can also form tight bonds with people that last a lifetime.

  1. If you need help, all you have to do is ask.

Evan Long/Flickr People take care of each other in small town Montana.

  1. “Shopping local” is all you’ll know.

David Schott/Flickr You’ll support small local businesses because that’s the only option besides driving an hour or two to the nearest chain store (and because they’re the best).

  1. Traffic is never an issue.

Roger Meyer/Flickr Learning to drive is a breeze when you don’t have to worry about traffic. What’s rush hour?

  1. You’ll find creative ways to entertain yourself.

A.Davey/Flickr When you’re a young child, you’ll have plenty of wide, open spaces to play games with your friends. When you’re a little older, you’ll have bonfires and school dances and snow sports, just to name a few.

  1. The stargazing is like no other.

Bureau of Land Management/Flickr No matter where you live when you’re an adult, you’ll miss the Big Sky Country night sky.

  1. You’ll learn the value of hard work, good manners and social skills.

U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr You’ll be raised to always try your best and give 100% because being lazy in a small town is not really an option. And when you’re used to greeting friends and stranger alike at school, at work, at the grocery store and on the street, you’ll end up a polite, sociable adult.

What was your favorite part of growing up in a small town?

Mark Smith/Flickr

Rolling hills, grassy fields, skylines not littered with tall buildings. Just gorgeous.

Jimmy Emerson/DVM

There’s not much mystery in a small town. But there’s something comforting about knowing everyone. It’s like being raised by a big extended family.

Martin LaBar/Flickr

Depending on which part of Montana you grow up in, small town living can mean learning hunting, fishing, learning about the habits of wildlife, helping with farming and learning how to stay warm in ridiculously cold temperatures. At the very least, you’ll be doing chores and mowing the lawn from a young age and you’ll learn to be self-sufficient.

dchrisoh/Flickr

Being raised in a small town might mean there are fewer children to make friends with, but you can also form tight bonds with people that last a lifetime.

Evan Long/Flickr

People take care of each other in small town Montana.

David Schott/Flickr

You’ll support small local businesses because that’s the only option besides driving an hour or two to the nearest chain store (and because they’re the best).

Roger Meyer/Flickr

Learning to drive is a breeze when you don’t have to worry about traffic. What’s rush hour?

A.Davey/Flickr

When you’re a young child, you’ll have plenty of wide, open spaces to play games with your friends. When you’re a little older, you’ll have bonfires and school dances and snow sports, just to name a few.

Bureau of Land Management/Flickr

No matter where you live when you’re an adult, you’ll miss the Big Sky Country night sky.

U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr

You’ll be raised to always try your best and give 100% because being lazy in a small town is not really an option. And when you’re used to greeting friends and stranger alike at school, at work, at the grocery store and on the street, you’ll end up a polite, sociable adult.

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