Last Updated on November 26, 2022 by Lily Connel
There are so many reasons why people dream of retiring in Montana. For some it’s the great outdoors, for others it’s the low cost of living, and for everyone, it is because they know Montana will be a better place to retire than most places they can think of. If you are looking into retiring in Montana, you have come to the right place. On the other hand, A Missoula retirement is not all roses. Some residents worry about the city’s growth and the influx of newcomers.
Many people dream of going on a great adventure after they retire. Some dream of travelling the world, seeing as much as they can. Others want to finally go home and be close to their family. What about you? Do you dream of settling down at a cabin in a remote location where all you have to worry about is the wildlife staring at you through the window? In this article, we’re going to go over a few of the many reasons why retiring in Montana is such a great idea for so many people.
Pros and Cons Of Retiring In Montana – The Comparison Table
| Serial | Pros Of Retiring In Montana | Cons Of Retiring In Montana |
| 1. | Montana has tons of great recreational opportunities. | Montana is not the right fit for everyone. |
| 2. | Montana is a great place for outdoor activities. | Retirees may have a hard time adjusting to the limited retail options available in this state. |
| 3. | The cost of Living is Low. | In Montana, transportation options can be limited. |
| 4. | Montana is home to some of the most beautiful national parks in the world. | Montana has a limited choice of speciality doctors. |
| 5. | Health Care System is affordable. | Retirees in Montana have a tough time during the long, cold winters. |
| 6. | Retirees love Montana for the same reason that nature photographers visit it. | Nightlife in Montana is limited, especially in rural areas. |
| 7. | Montana is the perfect state for active grandparents. | Montana is a fantastic place to retire, but retirees find it difficult to afford the high cost of living. |
Pros Of Retiring In Montana
1. Low Cost Of Living
Costs of living can be a big problem for retirees. If you aren’t bringing in an income, how are you going to pay all your bills? The answer to that question might be more complicated than you think. That’s why it is nice when there are areas of the country with a low cost of living like Montana.
This can make life much easier for retirees, especially if they don’t own their homes. It can also help them stretch their retirement savings a bit further. According to one website, “it costs $12,000 a year to enjoy ‘an active retired lifestyle in Montana as opposed to $24,335 in Hawaii.” That is definitely something that anyone looking into retiring in Montana should consider.
2. Lots Of Open Spaces
Another nice thing about retirement in Montana is all of the open spaces. Just think about it. There are endless trails to hike through. You can find a small lake or a river and go fishing whenever you want – absolutely free of charge. If you enjoy wildlife, there might not be a better place to live than Montana.
3. Great Opportunities For Outdoor Activities
Outdoor activities are another big reason why people dream of retiring in Montana. From fishing on a small lake to exploring numerous national parks and monuments, there is no shortage of great Montana outdoor activities to engage in.
This is one of the best things about going on a nice hike or going rock climbing – you don’t have to wait for vacation time. It’s all part of your everyday life. Here’s how the University of Montana College Of Technology describes living in Montana: “the sun shines 295 days a year, for about 10 hours on average.” That is very nice if you love outdoor activities.
4. Great Access To Recreation
Being close to recreation isn’t just great because it allows you to enjoy your favourite hobbies more often – it’s also beneficial because you can easily introduce new activities to your life. This is especially true if you are retired with grandkids.
When the kids come over on the weekend, there are plenty of fun things to do in Montana. Not only will they spend time outdoors, but everyone will enjoy their favourite recreational activities instead of just sitting around bored.
5. Close To The City, Yet Far Away From It All
There are pluses and minuses to retiring in Montana. Being close to civilization is one of the plus sides of retiring in Montana. You can go into town for some groceries if you run out, or you could even take a road trip to your favourite city if you want. On the other hand, there is something relaxing about being far away from the city.
You can truly relax and enjoy your favourite outdoor activities without feeling like you need to hightail it out of the hills before sundown. The choice is yours when you retire in Montana – everything you love about civilization is close by, but your home is so far away from it all.
6. Montana Will Always Be Beautiful
If you are the kind of person who likes to see the same scenery over and over again no matter how beautiful it is, then retiring in Montana might not be for you. However, if you love new scenery every day of your life, then you will love living in Montana.
From the Great Falls to Glacier National Park, each day brings a new experience, and you won’t ever see the same thing twice. In addition, winter here isn’t as cold as in other places – large parts of Montana have four distinct seasons with very cold winters and mild summers.
7. Great Climate
In addition to all of the great outdoor activities available in Montana is, there’s another reason why people love living here – the climate perfect. While winters with a lot of snowfall might be a little difficult for some retirees who aren’t used to it, it can definitely be manageable if you plan your day right with your grandkids.
For example, you could plan out all of the activities that your grandkids enjoy doing in the snow and keep them busy outside for hours on end. Then, when they get tired and need a break, spend some time inside with them before sending them back outside to play more.
8. Affordable Housing Options
There is an affordable housing crisis in America, and many retirees are struggling with how they will afford to retire in their area. Fortunately, if you want to retire in Montana, there is plenty of affordable housing here for your entire family – no matter what lifestyle you prefer.
For example, the average cost of rent in Montana is $834 which is very reasonable compared to other areas. You can easily find a nice place for your family to live where you won’t be struggling to pay rent with.
9. Close To National Parks
Montana is home to some of the best national parks in the world, and retirees enjoy being close to them so they can take advantage of everything they have to offer. This is especially true if you plan to retire in Montana with grandkids.
Even better, some of the national parks are only about two hours away from your new home – that means you can easily visit them any time you want. Of course, there are hundreds of other things to do around Montana than just visiting national parks, but this is still a major bonus for retirees.
10. Affordable Health Care
If you want to retire in Montana now, you will be happy to that there are affordable healthcare options here as well. Montana has a lot of clinics and hospitals that people go to when they need healthcare, but uninsured rates are low because the state offers access to low-cost insurance plans.
In fact, in 2014, just 9.5% of people in Montana were uninsured which is very low compared to the national average of 14%. For retirees who are used to living on a fixed income, this could be huge because healthcare costs are so high everywhere else.
11. Great For Active Grandparents
If you want to spend your retirement being active and spending time outside with your grandkids, then retiring in Montana is a great choice because of the hundreds of outdoor activities available to you.
For example, many retirees love exploring nature and going on long hikes and camping trips – and they’re able to take their grandkids along for the adventure too. This gives everyone something fun to do together, and it gets your grandkids outside so they don’t sit in front of the TV all day.
12. Relatively Safe To Retire In
Montana has a lot going for it as far as safety is concerned because the crime rate remains low here. The state ranks as one of the safest places to retire in the country, and you can expect that to continue as long as the crime rate stays below average.
For example, a study conducted in 2016 showed that Montana’s violent crime rate was 477.3 per 100,000 residents – which is less than half of the national average for states with a population of over one million people. So you will have plenty of peace of mind if you retire here.
13. Beautiful Scenery
Retirees choose to live in Montana because they love spending time surrounded by nature’s beauty, and that is because Montana really has some incredible scenery. The state is known for being one of the most scenic places in America, so it should be an easy transition for anyone who is used to living in a rural area.
Cons Of Retiring In Montana
1. High Cost Of Living in Cities
Although Montana is one of the most affordable places to live in America, many retirees are still discouraged by the high cost of living here. It’s especially difficult if you want to live in Bozeman or Missoula because those are some of the most expensive places to live in this state—and that’s because the cost of living is higher in cities compared to rural areas.
2. Limited Nightlife Activities In Rural Areas
If you’re used to living in an urban city with a lot going on at night, then retiring in Montana might be slightly disappointing for you. This state is known for being a place where people love to spend time outdoors, so there are not many nightlife activities to take advantage of.
3. Long, Cold Winters
Winters in Montana are very long and cold, which can be difficult for retirees who do not enjoy being caught out in the cold weather for extended periods of time. On average, the state gets about 40 inches of snow each year – which is 1/3 more than the national average.
4. Not The Right Fit For Everyone
Retirees who are used to living in bigger cities within walking distance of restaurants, theatres, libraries, museums, etc. might have a hard time adjusting to the slower pace of life in Montana. This state sees an average of 12 deaths per 100,000 people each year, so there are just not as many things to do here.
5. Limited Access To Specialty Doctors
One of the disadvantages of retiring in Montana is that there are only about 50 high-level medical professionals working within the state. Although residents have access to some of the best hospitals and clinics in America, certain doctors and specialists are in short supply here.
6. Limited Transportation Options
Transportation options can be limited in Montana because there is not an extensive public transportation system available to anyone who wants to use it. So the busing routes that do exist may fail to get you where you need to go on time, and this could limit your ability to get out and explore.
7. Limited Access To Large Retail Stores
Retirees who are used to shopping in major chain stores may have a hard time adjusting to the limited selection of retail options available in this state. Although many places have a locally-owned grocery store, speciality shop, or boutique for residents to take advantage of, there aren’t nearly as many large retail stores to choose from.
All You Need To Know About Montana
All that being said, there’s really no better way to say it than this: Montanans are lucky. Not only is the Great State of Montana worth visiting at any age, but it’s also one of the best places to retire.
Montana, the Big Sky Country, is a state in the northwestern region of the United States. It borders three other states: Wyoming to the north and Idaho to the east. Its capital city is Helena, which has an estimated population of nearly 30,000 people.
Montana’s nicknames are “The Treasure State” or “The Land of Shining Mountains”. This mostly refers to the mountain ranges and rivers located in the state.
Conclusion
Imagine the mountains you can look out at every day. The rushing waterfalls lull you to sleep after a long day of work. The fresh, clean air fills your lungs every time you step outside your front door. When you retire in Montana, these are just some of the many things you will experience on a daily basis during your golden years. Montana prides itself on being one of the most beautiful states in all of America. Everywhere you look, your eyes will be drawn to the gorgeous backdrop that Montana has to offer.
