7 Safest Towns In Montana For Senior Living
Montana is a beautiful western state blessed with charming natural scenery, rich culture, amazing people, and remarkable history. The state is also retirement-friendly, with lovely small towns that blend all of its historical, cultural, and natural elements to the delight of seniors. These small towns are safe, less crowded, filled with a significant population of seniors, boast affordable housing and access to healthcare amenities, and are generally friendly for retirees. They are also filled with natural and man-made attractions for seniors to indulge in and lose track of time at their own pace. From Dillon to the retirement haven of Hamilton, here are the seven safest towns for seniors in Montana.
Dillon
Dillon, the county seat of Beaverhead County, lies along the Beaverhead River, where it beckons seniors to come and experience its haven. According to AreaVibes, the crime rate here is quite a flex as it is 59% lower than the national average, while the town is safer than 54% of the cities in the US. Dillon’s median home price is around $376,604, and cost of living is 13.0% less than the national average. Access to healthcare is also seamless, with the Barrett Hospital & Health Care and Beaverhead Urgent Care & Family Practice attending to health needs. Add these perks with a small population of below 4,000, and the town is quite cozy and suitable for seniors.
In the meantime, the town also has many ways to keep retirees busy. First off, the Big Sky Cinema is a movie venue where seniors can immerse themselves in the sensational world of movies. Additionally, Beaverhead County Museum invites visitors to glimpse into the county's past through various exhibits and artifacts.
On the outdoors, the nearby Clark’s Lookout State Park features an overlook above the Beaverhead River, where William Clark stood in 1805 during the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The park features hiking, picnicking, and some wildlife sightings. In addition, visitors in the area can descend from the lookout after soaking in the historic and scenic views to float and fish on the Beaverhead River.
Lewistown
Sidewalk and street view in Lewistown, Montana. CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Lewistown in Fergus County is a safe nest for seniors, with around 21% of its residents above 65, creating a colony of like minds. Thankfully, the crime rate in this town is low, with a 1 in 243 chance of becoming a victim, according to NeighborhoodScout, and it is safer than 77% of settlements in the US. The cost of living is also 15% lower than the national average, and the average home price is around $276,000. Additionally, healthcare facilities like the Central Montana Medical Center and Lewiston Clinic are available, and a relatively small population of around 6,000 assures seniors of serenity.
For history-loving retirees in town, the Central Montana Museum brims with exhibits and artifacts that tell stories of the region’s cultural and artistic history. Seniors who love the arts are always welcome to the Lewiston Arts Center in the historic downtown to browse through or purchase some artworks, including paintings and sculptures.
For those seeking outdoor adventures, Lewistown is around nine miles from Big Springs Creek, one of the world’s largest freshwater springs, offering opportunities for tubing, kayaking, fishing, or hiking the trails around it. A few miles south of Lewiston in the Big Snowy Mountains, Crystal Lake is an even better option. The lake has a short, easy loop featuring paddling and fishing activities alongside attractions like the Ice Caves, a scenic overlook, and Crystal Cascades.
Big Timber
Big Timber is a small town in Sweet Grass County that packs a few draw cards for seniors. For starters, the crime rate is 60% lower than the national average, according to AreaVibes, and the average home price is around $400,000, while the cost of living is 3.1% lower than the national average. The town’s population is also slightly above 1,000 people, which makes it serene and safe, while a quarter of its residents are seniors. Furthermore, healthcare facilities like Pioneer Medical Center and Crazy Mountain Family Medicine are always ready to meet the healthcare needs of the town’s small populace.
Additionally, the town hosts quite a handful of attractions to keep seniors busy. The Crazy Mountain Museum is just one such attraction featuring exhibits about the history of Sweet Grass County, such as Pioneer Room and Cremer Rodeo. Meanwhile, outdoor lovers are always welcome to the Spring Creek Campground and Trout Ranch - a riverfront site with RV camping and tent camps. The campground is along the Boulder River, which is also a great spot for fishing, boating, and hiking. Additionally, Two Rivers Gallery is a fantastic stop for retirees who love the arts. For culinary experiences against the backdrop of history, the 1890 Grand Hotel & Restaurant is the perfect place for seniors to visit.
Miles City
Miles City is a small town between Yellowstone and Tongue Rivers in Custer County, perfect for retirees who love arts and nature. Plus, according to NeighborhoodScout, the town is safer than 48% of cities in the US, which is relatively low considering its population of above 8,000. As for the cost of living, the city is 18.5% lower than the national average, while the average home price is low at around $261,000. The environment is also considerably friendly for seniors, who constitute around 17% of the population, and healthcare establishments like Holy Rosary Hospital ensure seniors are well tended to when ill.
On top of that, seniors can get busy by visiting the WaterWorks Art Museum to explore a collection of incredible artworks by highly esteemed artists around the country. Next, the nearby Pirogue Island State Park on an island in the Yellowstone River, beckons adventurous seniors to enjoy recreational endeavors like river floating, hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching. For history lovers, the Range Riders Museum is a treasure trove of history in town filled with exhibits ranging from antique cars to farm tools. For seniors who still enjoy movies, the Montana Theatre is a delightful place to see blockbusters.
Libby
Libby is a naturally scenic town at the confluence of its namesake Creek and Kootenai River. With a population of around 3,000 and a 1 in 283 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (according to NeighborhoodScout), the town sure promises a serene and senior-friendly environment for retirees. Also, the average home price is around $360,000, the cost of living is 11% lower than the national average, and health centers like Cabinet Peaks Medical Center and Libby Clinics are on standby for health challenges.
In addition to its amazing facilities, retirees can have fun outdoors by riding along the 67-mile Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway from Libby to Eureka. The byway courses along the Kootenai River and Lake Koocanusa are ideal stops for picnicking, fishing, kayaking, boating, and sightseeing. The Kootenai National Forest is also headquartered in Libby and invites seniors to enjoy short hikes, huckleberry picking, mushroom harvesting, and admire the Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge.
For history lovers, the town’s past comes alive at the Libby Heritage Museum with artifacts and exhibits dating back to its pioneer settlement days. While in town, don’t forget to visit Diane’s, one of the town’s favorite restaurants for amazing dining experiences.
Glendive
Glendive is a pretty small city between Yellowstone River and the Badlands, with a population of just below 5,000 people. Although surrounded by badlands, the town is ironically full of good people, relatively safe at 54.9% lower than the national average (as per AreaVibes), and has a significant number of seniors. On top of that, the cost of living in Glendive is 9% lower than the national average, housing is around $212,000 on average, and the town has medical centers like Glendive Medical Center and One Health Glendive.
Retirees in this town will also enjoy the town’s less chaotic environment and proximity to attractions like the Glendive Dinosaur & Fossil Museum features dinosaur exhibits, while the Frontier Gateway Museum houses Native American artifacts and historical relics.
Makoshika State Park - the largest state park in Montana is also near the town and invites seniors to explore its dramatic rock formations, dinosaur fossils, and other badlands formations. Also, the Yellowstone River beckons for fishing and hiking opportunities, and when it comes to dining experiences, the Yellowstone River Inn is one of the finest restaurants in town that seniors would love.
Hamilton
The Bitterroot Mountain Range in the Rocky Mountains, near Hamilton, Montana.
Hamilton is a great destination for seniors in Montana for good reasons. While housing is just slightly less than the national average at around $505,000 and the cost of living is 6% above the national average, the town’s crime rate is 36% lower than the national average, according to AreaVibes. So, it remains an incredibly safe place, and seniors have easy access to healthcare facilities such as Bitterroot Health Medical Center and Sapphire Community Health.
Additionally, retirees will have a few attractions to enjoy like the Bitterroot River which is a prime spot for fly fishing experiences. Similarly, the nearby Lake Como is an alternative, with boating, canoeing, kayaking, and picnicking opportunities. In the meantime, history comes alive at the Daly Mansion in Hamilton, which was the summer home of Marcus Daly, a prominent Montana copper magnate in the late 19th century. This mansion is open for tours, and its natural setting on the banks of the Bitterroot River makes it more alluring.
Seniors can learn more about the town and county’s history at the Ravalli County Museum, where period artifacts, photographs, and various displays mirror life in a bygone era. For art lovers, Wide Angle Gallery boasts an incredible collection of artworks, paintings, and sculptures.
Why These Montana Towns Are Ideal for Senior Living
With retirement comes the need for solitude, peace of mind, safety, and a less chaotic environment. Seniors craving these needs can find them and more in these small towns in Montana. In these destinations, the air is crisp and clear, locals are warm and welcoming, the crime rate is low, and considerable numbers of fellow seniors make up the population of these towns. While safety is assured, recreation and adventures are also on offer as the town hosts numerous attractions that will eat into the free time of seniors while giving beautiful memories in return.
