Montana 's 10 Best Retirement Towns Ranked
What images come to mind when you hear “the Treasure State” or “Big Sky Country”? Are you transported to wide-open prairies, snow-capped mountains, and wild west adventures? Montana offers all of those things and more.
When we put together our list of Montana’s 10 best retirement towns, we ranked them with the following criteria in mind: ample activities, great healthcare, quality retirement communities, and scenic beauty. If this wild land is calling to you, let’s explore which towns are best suited to making your golden years the best they can be.
Lewistown
If you are a fan of Westerns, maybe your Montana dream involves a six-shooter or some type of firearm. Many Montanans enjoy shooting sports and pass their time with a membership to the Central Montana Shooting Complex in Lewistown. If something a bit quieter sounds more appealing, visit the Lewistown Community Labyrinth Garden and meander down its purposeful flower paths. Volunteers are welcome to help tend the garden.
Your medical needs won’t take a backseat just because you chose a rural setting in which to retire. The Central Montana Medical Center is a 25-bed critical access hospital with a full range of services. New friends will be easy to find at The Villa at Valle Vista assisted living facility. Choose from several different accommodation sizes and find the private room that best suits your needs.
Miles City
Miles City is a history buff’s heaven. Retirees will love the Range Riders Museum, featuring 13 buildings of “Old West” artifacts. When you have had enough history and need some physical activity, swing into the Town and Country Club, a semi-private golf, social, and dining facility. The Natural Oasis Swimming Pool is another great option for filling those long summer days.
Holy Rosary Hospital offers award-winning medical care twenty-four hours a day. It’s just a ten-minute drive from Eagles Manor, one of Miles City’s premier independent living residences for adults 62 and older.
Butte
The historic town of Butte was once known as “The Richest Hill on Earth” for its vast mineral wealth. Though mining has died down, its history remains intact at the World Museum of Mining, the Montana Tech Mineral Museum, and the Berkeley Pit. The National Historic District is another testament to the height of the town’s glory, featuring Victorian-style mansions built during Butte’s most opulent era.
Retiring to a new town can be daunting, especially when switching medical providers. The small community of Butte will make the transition easier with its welcoming medical facilities, like the Butte Flats Clinic. The clinic is just five minutes from The Springs at Butte, an independent living, assisted living, and memory care facility. It offers nearly 100 residences plus easy access to the historic uptown district.
Helena
How have we made it this far without mentioning one of Montana’s top attractions? Fishing! Montana is a haven for anglers in any season. Helena offers abundant lakes, creeks, and rivers where you can cast a line anytime of year. The Helena Visitor Center can offer tips for where to go and when.
During long winters, the Great Divide Ski Area is just a half-hour drive away. After the slopes, soak your bones at Helena’s Broadwater Hot Springs.
Retirees will appreciate the broad range of services offered at Mountain View Family Health Care. There is more to great health than healthcare, of course. That’s why Touchmark Senior Living offers a health and fitness studio, plentiful walking paths, and tasty chef-prepared menus to keep its residents feeling their best.
Livingston
Picture yourself crossing the Yellowstone River, following in the footsteps of the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition. Livingston is a city with a vibrant history that now serves as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. After exploring the park, cruise over to nearby Chico Hot Springs for a soak or enjoy world-renowned dinosaur fossils at the Museum of the Rockies.
Retirees will appreciate the dedicated team at Livingston HealthCare, a full-service medical center with a top-rated critical access hospital. Your new home base might be Caslen Living Centers, a retirement community offering 28 residences, a large activities room, and a stunning courtyard.
Whitefish
For some, retirement conjures up dreams of white sand beaches and warm weather. For others, the ideal retirement looks like snowcapped mountains and endless hiking, horseback riding, and hunting opportunities. Whitefish is the latter.
The charming town is an entry point to the stunning wilderness of Glacier National Park, where pristine lakes and acres of forest offer endless recreation opportunities. Whitefish Lake sits in the center of town, where its crystal clear waters are perfect for summer boating or winter ice fishing.
Your new primary care provider could be Glacier Medical Associates, a full-service facility offering urgent care, primary care, and family medicine. For those looking to join a senior community, The Springs at Whitefish is a nearby assisted living and memory care facility with a 4.8 rating on Google.
Deer Lodge
Deer Lodge in Southwestern Montana is a largely agricultural city just north of the town of Prison Farm. The Grant-Kohrs Ranch offers insight into the region’s history from its inception in 1862 up to the present day. The town’s slower pace of life is ideal for anglers and hunters, with the Little Blackfoot River providing excellent wade-fishing. The Bob Marshall Wilderness is one of the largest wilderness areas in the continental U.S., a hunter’s paradise.
For patient-centered care, the Cottonwood Clinic on Main Street is a favorite among locals. If you’re seeking assisted living facilities, Renaissance Senior Care is well-reviewed and offers services for a variety of living situations.
Red Lodge
Nestled against Montana’s highest mountains (the Beartooths), Red Lodge is stunningly beautiful and serenely remote. It’s an entry point to Yellowstone National Park and a haven for adventure enthusiasts. Retirees can look forward to leisurely Sunday drives along the Beartooth Highway or catching 18 holes at Red Lodge Mountain Golf Course. ATV and UTV tours are also popular in this part of Montana.
Its rural location has little impact on the quality of healthcare thanks to the accessible and conveniently located Beartooth Billings Clinic. Just outside of Red Lodge is Heartland Assisted Living. The unique, farm-style facility offers home-cooked meals and interactions with a variety of farm animals, including ducks, horses, donkeys, and pigs. The facility offers in-house physicians, therapeutic massage, and exercise programs.
Townsend
Montana is home to many incredible lakes. The unassuming town of Townsend is the gateway to Canyon Ferry Lake, a massive reservoir covering 35,181 acres. Retirees will enjoy boating, year-round fishing, swimming, and more from its lush shores. When you are ready to venture indoors, the Broadwater County Museum features Native American artifacts, pioneer antiquities, and insights into the area’s fascinating history.
The nearby Elkhorn Mountains are less populated than some of the more popular mountain ranges in Montana, making it an ideal location for secluded recreation. Locals enjoy wildlife viewing and adventures in the area’s abandoned mining towns.
St. Peter’s Health - Townsend Clinic serves the city’s residents, promising “Superior Care, Hometown Commitment.” The facility even offers health education classes and certification courses for CPR and more. Townsend’s Serenity Point Assisted Living Facility is owned and operated by a local nurse who strives to create a warm and welcoming environment for residents and visiting family members.
Columbia Falls
Columbia Falls sits in the Northeast corner of Flathead Valley. Its proximity to Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park ensures you will have plenty of activities to fill your golden years, from fishing to hiking to boating. You may also enjoy Depot Park, featuring a historic Shay Locomotive and plenty of history about the town’s ties to the railroad.
If you enjoy history, check out St. Richard Church, constructed in 1891. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and also served as the first public school in Columbia Falls.
Logan Health Primary Care serves the city’s healthcare needs, offering routine care, X-rays, prescription refills, and other services. If you’re seeking assisted living facilities with Montana charm, consider Timber Creek Village. It’s highly rated and offers a variety of services to support your retirement goals, including housekeeping, laundry services, and medication assistance.
If this list of Montana’s 10 best retirement towns captivated your imagination, perhaps Big Sky Country could be your next home. Consider visiting the area in which you are interested first and always check the average temperatures to be sure its climate will agree with you. Most importantly, be bold with your retirement choices because what lies ahead could be the best years of your life.
