Montana's a favored destination for some retirees looking away from the Sun Belt. It's a place of wide open spaces, made for the more active, self-sufficient type – who will find much there to reward a bit of effort. Here are a few facts about the Treasure State you should know before planning your retirement in Montana.
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- It's Big - As of 2015, Montana had 1.02 million people, as the state population finally cracked a million, sometime after 2010. Its residents live on 145,545.8 square miles, which is approximately 6.8 people per square mile, compared with 87.4 people per square mile across the United States, according to the United States Census Bureau.
- Rich and Colorful History - From the accidental founding of Helena, the state capital, to the underground city of Havre, to Miles City's "questionable" past (and just maybe the world's biggest snowflake), the Treasure State is a treasure trove of offbeat, colorful history, and Montana's not shy about sharing it.
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- It's For Active Folks - Skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and stream fishing – those are the draws Montana mentions in luring retirees. But there are rewards for the mentally active, too: cultural and entertainment activities, such as museums, galleries, concerts and history, not to mention continuing education available in the university towns.
- Highly-rated Health Care - Billings has made a name for itself with the Billings Clinic hospital system. Not only is the hospital system Montana's major employer, it was also ranked No. 1 by Consumer Reports. CNNMoney notes the regional medical center serving the Kalispell-Whitefish area is ranked as "one of the country's top hospitals."
- Expect to Do a Lot of Driving -
Expect an hour or two at the least between "nearby" cities, sometimes much longer, but the highways are straight and wide-open. Which means that the average travel time to work is 18 minutes, compared to 25.5 minutes across the United States.
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