Retiring under the Big Sky is a popular alternative for seniors looking for something a little different from the Sun Belt. Here are five popular spots in Montana for citizens to make their retirement home in, including a place veterans just love.
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- Bozeman - For the active and intellectually lively senior, this university town has much to offer. Skiing, hiking and mountain biking are readily available half an hour from downtown, and Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks are "convenient day trips" away, according to U.S. News & World Report. MarketWatch notes a proliferation of boutiques, spas and coffee shops taking away some of the "Old West" character of the town, but Montana State University offers tuition waivers for senior citizens interested in "lifelong learning."
- Whitefish - The small resort town of Whitefish, home to Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort, claims active seniors are usually found on nearby ski slopes, often holding the record for most number of runs skied each year, according to MarketWatch. The town's single main street is packed with restaurants, coffee shops, and clothing stores, none of them chains, says MarketWatch. Outdoor activity and a local athletic facility have programs for seniors and the ski resort offers seniors the chance to volunteer as guides. The high prices of a resort town are offset by a resort tax, largely borne by tourists, that helps keep property taxes down.
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- Billings - Montana's biggest city still has its Old West "vibe," MarketWatch says. Dozens of buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and regional art and history are showcased at two museums. There are more places to eat and shop than in Montana's other cities, and there are numerous venues for big-name concerts, rodeos, and theater. Billings also has a symphony and a zoo, along with the usual outdoorsy activities of hunting, fishing and mountain biking. Retirees looking to keep working will find it a good place to find a job or start a business, according to MarketWatch, and the city is easily accessible by highway and air. Another plus for seniors: Billings is home to Montana's top-ranked hospital system, Billings Clinic – also the state's major employer.
- Missoula - Those looking for a more progressive-liberal political environment than is usual for Montana will want to consider this university town. Outdoor music and arts events abound, including a free weekly summer concert, art galleries, opera, an art museum, local artists, classes, lectures, and other events. Fly fishing, biking and, of course, skiing are also popular attractions, MarketWatch notes. People age 50 and older can take advantage of the University of Montana's lifelong learning program, and the annual River City Roots Festival draws 10,000 art and music mavens every August.
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