Ellie may be new to town but she fits right in and seems she has lived here for years. A native of Montana, she never imagined she’d move here. In fact, it was the furthest thing from her mind that she would ever move at all. But if anyone can take a happy life and make it an even better one, it is Ellie. She is the kind of person who looks for the bright side.
Ellie says, “the move from Bozeman was the hardest decision we’ve had to make as a family.” They each were enjoying success with their work and liked living close to family. With two young boys it’s hard to move. To essentially start over and at the same time move away from family is an intimidating notion to confront. And yet, “when we moved here, it became apparent right away that Jackson was the perfect fit for us.”
The main reason the transition was smooth is the community of Jackson. Ellie says “everyone made us feel welcome.” She adds that the “town, the outdoors, and the vibe of the tourists is a welcome change.” Bozeman has many of the same outdoor activities but they are more accessible here. She enjoys being able to float the river after work or can hike The Pass and get a run in before work in the winter. “With proximity and access, we find ourselves enjoying more of what we love to do.” And a bonus is that it is “easier to get the kids out doing these things, which brings us together as a family more.”
Her husband, Brad was offered the position to run Earth Elements, an interior hard finishes showroom. For years, he had been coming to Jackson and the company decided the time was right to open a store. The more common scenario is someone will come to Jackson and look for a job in order to make enough money to stay. It is rare to be lured here for a position that you already love. It was too good to be true and they couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
Ellie worked for 15 years as a hair stylist and built up a solid client base and great reputation. It is no surprise that word is quickly spreading around town about her skills and she is building a loyal client list. When you are talented then the work speaks for itself. She can be found at Champu when not on the river or bike path with her boys. To book an appointment, try online at www.champusalaonjh.com or call 307-739-4646.
They couldn’t be happier with the lifestyle change for the kids. “The community is safe and the schools here are amazing.” All the recreation they enjoy together “ makes Jackson a great place to raise a family.” If she were to give any advice to people moving here, she suggests “research the schools, preschools and other kids’ activities like sports and camps in advance.” Everything fills up quickly and it’s important to do some advance planning.
When you live in a place that people travel from all over to visit you can’t help but feel lucky. Ellie says “we get to breathe it in every day, we are blessed.” The kids have made many friends and it is evident Jackson has been great for them. “We downplay to family and friends because we don’t want to go on and on about living in such an incredible place.” It didn’t take long for them to see that Jackson is not like other mountain resort towns. The highlight of moving here is realizing how the town places a priority on building up the local community. “That sense of community comes from within, from the people that make it up.” The vast majority of people are laid back and easy-going, it is an attitude that presides over town. The decision to live here and raise a family can be hard. But to be part of a community that “is made up of people that love where they live and make sacrifices to raise their family here” is what sets Jackson apart from the rest and why it’s a great place to call home.
h/t Bridget Pattee
