Is Montana a Good Place to Retire? Unearthing the Truth

Is Montana a Good Place to Retire? Unearthing the Truth

1. Is Montana a Good Place to Retire?

Montana is a state with a high retirement population, and it's not hard to understand why. Montana is a beautiful location, with plenty of outside space and nature as well as a much-desired 4-seasons climate, meaning that those who live there get to benefit from a distinct summer, autumn, winter, and spring. Indeed, the natural beauty of Montana is a huge draw for retirees as they can enjoy a slower pace of life in small towns set against the backdrop of mountains, lakes, and forests.

2. The Best Places to Retire in Montana

For those looking to spend their retirement years in Montana, there are several places to consider.

Bozeman

One of the best places to live in Montana for retirees is Bozeman. Located in the south-west of the state, almost 10% of the population of Bozeman is over 65, and the crime rate is relatively low with only 130 violent crimes being reported in the area last year, Bozeman also has plenty of facilities for the retired crowd including its hospital, and a living cultural scene in the center of town.

Bozeman, in addition to being a great place to retire, is also a college town and is the site location for many tech-oriented businesses right now. Its close proximity to nature means it's ideal for retirees who love to stay active outdoors by fishing, biking, and even rock climbing.

However, house prices, as you might expect from such a popular city, are relatively high in Bozeman with the annual mean home value being set at around $350,000.

Helena

Another great town for retirees to consider is Helena, the capital city of Montana. In Helena, the percentage of the population that is over 65 is much higher than in Bozeman at almost 20%. However, the average home price is considerably lower at around $250,000.

Culture and community-wise this once gold rush town has much to offer from a historically immense neighborhood known as Redders Alley to plenty of clubs and churches where you can meet and make friends.

3. Retiring in Montana on a Budget

Montana can be a good choice for those looking to retire on a budget. This is because compared to the average, the cost of living is cheaper in Montana than elsewhere. However, this news does come with a caveat that the cost of living will depend on the area that you choose, as some do tend to be more expensive than others.

For example, the best places to retire in Montana on a budget include North Browning, Wolf Point, and Hardin as they are particularly well known for having the lowest cost of living. Whereas areas like Ballantine, South Glastonbury, and Manhattan have a much higher cost of living that could be prohibitive to retirees on a budget.

4. Top Living Spots in Montana for Retirees

In addition to Bozeman and Helena, another town that is ideal for retirees in the state of Montana is Kalispell.

Kalispell

Both friendly and charming, Kalispell might just be the best place to live in Montana. After all it's a great location for those wanting a quiet but active retirement. Set amid a beautiful landscape of mountains, trees, and lakes Kalispell is perfect for those who want to spend their golden years fishing, and hiking and is also a popular spot for skiing in the winter.

Kalispell also is home to plenty of retired people, with over 17% of its population aged 65 or over. House prices are low at around $230,000 on average too, as is violent crime at only 102 incidents last year. Kalispell also boasts 3 hospitals and a great community feel with high-street boating restaurants, diners, shops, and even galleries.

5. Evaluating Montana as a Retirement State

To make an informed decision on whether Montana is the ideal spot for your retirement, it's a good idea to look at both the good things, and the bad things about living there.

Disadvantages of Retiring in Montana

Cold Winters

While the natural environment is quite stunning, the winters can also be very cold and harsh with plenty of snow, and wind in Montana. This can be a real deal breaker for those looking for plenty of summer sun in their golden years and those who do not want to dig their driveways out of the snow when wintertime rolls around every year.

High Cost of Living in Some Areas

In some areas of Montana, the cost of living may be higher than expected, especially when it comes to things such as healthcare and housing. Of course, your need for housing may decrease as you downsize in your retirement. However, your reliance on healthcare is likely to increase, so you must carefully consider whether living in the more costly areas is worth it.

Fewer Employment Opportunities for Retirees

Not everyone that is retired wants to spend their days playing shuffleboard, or tending the garden. Indeed, many retirees rely on the income they receive from their part-time jobs. However, because a great deal of employment is based around agriculture in Montana, the opportunities for retired people are limited.

The Advantages of Retiring in Montana

Despite the very real disadvantages of returning to Montana, there are also some very real advantages as well. Read on to find out what they are:

Small Town Rural Feel

You don’t have to travel very far in Montana to get access to nature which is a huge bonus to many people considering retiring there. Even the suburbs tend to be spacious and if you are lucky overlook some of the most stunning mountains, forests and lakes.

Add to this the fact that many of the locations in Montana have a very small-town feel to them with a main high street housing the necessary amenities like restaurants, doctors, dentists, and shops and a genuine community that looks out for one another.

Plenty of Culture and Arts

Montana is also a wonderful choice for anyone interested in getting involved in art and culture. Indeed, there is a colorful arts scene across Montana, and you can expect plenty of festivals and events that bring the state and visitors together. Be sure to check out the amazing Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering & Western Music Rendezvous which runs every August in Lewistown. A festival dedicated to the oral history of the Cowboy. There are folk festivals and Shakespeare festivals among others, along with plenty of art shows to keep retirees busy.

Summer, Spring, Autumn & Winter

Another big benefit of retiring in Montana is that it is a location that offers 4 distinct seasons throughout the year. That means you get to experience the heat in the summer, and the cold in the winter. Along with the budding flowers of spring and the gorgeous orange and red foliage of fall. Of course, this is only a benefit for those who are looking for a place where the seasons truly change. If you want sun all year round then places like Florida and California are a much better option.

Stunning Landscapes

Last but definitely not least, and perhaps the most compelling of all the reasons to retire in Montana is the breathtaking landscape that is never more than a short drive away. Packed with national parks, snowy forest-lined mountains, and crystal clear lakes, Montana’s natural beauty is unsurpassed. The added benefit of such gorgeous and abundant outside space is that it provides plenty of opportunity for outdoor living and activities whether these are slower-paced ones such as walking, hiking and fishing, or more intensive ones such as skiing, camping, and watersports.

Plenty of Other Retirees

Last of all, many people choose Montana for their retirement because it's a state that has a large retiree population already (17%). This means that not only will you have plenty of friends you age to connect with, but that services in the state are likely to be well set up for retirees too.

6. Where to Retire in Montana: Top Picks

Butte

The best place to retire in Montana has to be Butte! This is because Butte is full of rich history both from its mining heritage, and the large number of Irish immigrants that have settled in the area over time. Indeed, one of the most popular activities in Butte is the fascinating World Museum of Mining which is the ideal place to take the grandkids to teach them about Montana's rich stocks of minerals and gems, and engrossing geological history!

Another great thing about Butte is that house prices are as a rule low here and average at around $150,000! That's over $200,000 less than some of the other locations in Montana such as Bozeman! There are also three hospitals within the city to choose from when it comes to health care. However, it's worth noting that violent crimes are ever so slightly higher in Butte than in other Montana towns right now, with around 129 separate incidents being reported in the last year.

7. Insight into Places to Retire in Montana

In answering the question Is Montana a good state to retire in, you must consider the following facts.
Montana can be a great place to retire if you are looking for:

  • A community with a significant older population
  • Some great towns to live in
  • Lower cost of living than the national average
  • It is a beautiful location set in nature

However, Montana may not be the place to retire to, if you are looking for a spot where:

  • It is always sunny and warm
  • There are plenty of retirement work opportunities
  • Everything is cheap including housing and healthcare