When Todd and I first began exploring the neighborhood where we are renting in Missoula, we were struck by how different it seemed. It wasn’t completely suburban: we could go across the street to get LASIK, walk a few blocks to a casino, walk a few blocks in the other direction to find a day laborers center, and so on.

It wasn’t urban in the sense of “downtown urban.” It wasn’t suburban, although much of it had the look and feel of strip-mall territory. It was a mixed-use neighborhood, but instead of the housing being stacked on top of the retail, the retail was scattered among the housing. I’ve never lived anywhere quite like it.

I finally figured out I was in the South Campus neighborhood, which accounted for the mix of businesses, churches, schools, and housing.

I had so many pictures (and I may add more) that I decided to put them on Flickr. You can find them in “bapartin’s photostream” at Missoula businesses etc. in South Campus.

Also, don’t miss my post about baby deer on Beth at Home and Abroad.