9 Most Comfortable Towns in The Rockies for Seniors
When you think of desirable places for retirement, you may look to the coast. For decades, Florida has been retirees' top draw. And in recent years, other states like South Carolina and Texas have also gained steam. But if you are aiming higher for the perfect perch to enjoy your golden years, you might want to look to the Rocky Mountains. With many of North America’s top ski towns, the Rockies are perfect for seniors who want to get and stay active during retirement.
From underrated small towns tucked in the forest to high-end resort towns with world-class golf courses and spa retreats, you can take your pick of mountain towns to settle down into. Whether you are looking for a great bargain or a luxurious splurge, at least one of these nine most comfortable towns in the Rockies is well-suited to meet your needs.
Taos, New Mexico
Sitting at an elevation of 6,959 feet above sea level in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos has a semi-arid climate that can get cold during the winter months. Yet, thanks to that winter cold, Taos is New Mexico’s premier ski destination: Taos Ski Valley is the region’s largest ski resort with 1,294 acres, 3,131 feet of vertical drop, and 110 trails offering scenic journeys for skiers at all levels. If that’s not enough for you, Angel Fire Ski Resort and Red River Ski Area are also nearby.
Beyond the slopes, you can also explore over 1,000 years of Indigenous history at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Taos Pueblo, peruse over 70 local art galleries in and around town, and enjoy a variety of outdoor adventures (including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and whitewater rafting) at Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.
Even better, Taos is also hailed as a top retirement destination due to the strong local healthcare infrastructure (including the full suite of emergency, specialty, and primary care services at Holy Cross Medical Center) and the availability of various housing options for seniors. Though the median home listing price sits around $675,000 (according to realtor.com), that's still cheaper than most other popular western ski towns, and the median gross rent of about $982 per month (according to census.gov) is actually slightly cheaper than the national average (which is $1,268).
Hamilton, Montana
Sitting at the foot of the Bitterroot Range in Western Montana, the town of Hamilton manages to provide ample natural beauty and plentiful recreational activities while also being more affordable (with a median home sale price of around $431,000 and gross rent of $816) than the state’s more famous ski towns. As the central commercial hub for the largely rural and agricultural Ravalli County, Hamilton has the bulk of the area’s stores. And since Missoula is only about 48 miles away, you are never too far from many more urban amenities.
All around Hamilton, the Bitterroot Valley abounds in potential for amazing adventures. Dig into Montana's rich history at the stately Queen Anne-style Daly Mansion (built in 1886). Tee up at the par-72, 18-hole Hamilton Golf Club that’s operated in the area since 1924. At Downing Mountain, you can enjoy incredible backcountry skiing during the winter season, as well as stunningly scenic hiking and mountain biking during the summer. And whenever you need medical care, Bitterroot Health's Daly Hospital can cover all your emergency, outpatient, and primary healthcare needs.
McCall, Idaho
Sitting just above 5,000 feet above sea level on the southern shore of Payette Lake, the town of McCall is picture-perfect for mountain lakeside living. Though McCall's median home sale price sits just above $435,000, it may ultimately feel like more of a great value once you factor in all the local amenities. After all, McCall may be a very small town (with a little over 3,700 year-round residents), the town does have its own full-service hospital at St. Lukes McCall Medical Center. And since McCall is only around 100 miles away from the state capital of Boise, you are within reach of additional resources and urban amenities.
But if you are really looking forward to enjoying a simpler country life, McCall has you covered. Ponderosa State Park and Lake Cascade State Park are great for camping, hiking, biking, and fishing. Back at Payette Lake, you can sail away on your boat, or you can shoot the breeze on a sandy beach. During the winter season, McCall places you within easy reach of a wide variety of backcountry skiing routes, plus you can enjoy a full-service ski resort at Brundage Mountain Resort.
Vail, Colorado
Make no mistake: With a median home listing price near $699,000, Vail does not come cheap. But if you are willing to pay premium prices, you can unlock the ultimate Rocky Mountain lifestyle at this world-famous ski town. You can hit Vail Ski Resort for 278 trails, 5,317 skiable acres, ski runs that stretch as long as four miles, and elevation that reaches as high as 11,570 feet above sea level. For even more winter sports action, Beaver Creek is another major ski and snowboard resort in the area, plus Vail has plenty more options for backcountry skiing at White River National Forest.
Even after the snow melts, Vail has a huge array of hiking trails to keep you active. Also, during the summer season, you can hit some of Colorado's most beautiful links at the 18-hole, par 71 Vail Golf Club, as well as the Robert Trent Jones-designed Beaver Creek Country Club. In addition, Vail has a robust hometown art scene with a plethora of art galleries and the Bravo! Vail summer classical music festival. And though Vail is tucked high in the mountains, this ski town has pretty much all the creature comforts and life necessities you need, with comprehensive community health care (including a hospital with 24/7 emergency care) at Vail Health.
Wallace, Idaho
In a lot of ways, Wallace has a “Goldilocks feel” to it: This Idaho town’s population barely tops 1,000, yet it’s just 116 miles west of Missoula (Montana) and 81 miles east of Spokane (Washington). Wallace offers affordability, with a median home listing price of around $300,000. Yet, its location along the Coeur d'Alene River and surrounded by the mountains lends itself to a treasure trove of outdoor activities. Since the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River runs through town, you will easily find Class I, II, and III rapids that are ideal for kayaking and whitewater rafting. When you are more in the mood to explore on dry land, hit the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes for a 73-mile paved path that accommodates everyone from casual walkers to in-line skaters and Nordic skiers.
If you prefer a more relaxing day out, Wallace places you close to beautiful golf courses like the nine-hole Shoshone Golf Club and the easily walkable (and also nine-hole) Pinehurst Golf Course. During winter, you can head to Lookout Pass for 52 trails and eight glades across 1,053 skiable acres. You can also try Silver Mountain Resort for skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and snowshoeing. And whenever you need medical care, Shoshone Medical Center is only 12 miles away (in Kellogg).
Telluride, Colorado
With a base elevation of 8,754 feet above sea level and a prime location in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, the town of Telluride is perfect for those seeking the most active four-season lifestyle during their golden years. Telluride Ski Resort provides epic adventures on snow for skiers and snowboarders at all levels with over 2,000 skiable acres, 19 lifts, ski runs running as long as 4.6 miles, and up to 4,425 feet of vertical drop. During summer, Telluride’s wealth of scenic trails includes everything from easy walks by the San Miguel River to challenging hikes from Bridal Veil Falls to Ajax Peak (at 12,786 feet above sea level). you can enjoy the greens at the 18-hole, par 70, and exclusively private Telluride Golf Club.
After all those long workouts outside, feel free to chill out at Colorado’s largest spa at The Peaks Resort, where you can book a massage, soak in a variety of hot tubs, and even enjoy a full-service salon. Whenever you have more serious health care needs, you can count on the full suite of health care services (from primary care to a Level V trauma center) at Telluride Regional Medical Center. And though you might have a hard time leaving this beautiful mountain town, Telluride Airport does offer daily flights to Denver whenever you need to visit family or take a vacation.
Deer Lodge, Montana
With an ideal location within easy driving distance of Yellowstone (about 180 miles away) and Glacier (about 210 miles away) National Parks, Deer Lodge is a small town that abounds in great natural scenery. Yet with the median home listing price around $360,000, Deer Lodge is much more affordable than Montana’s more high-profile ski and resort towns. And since Deer Lodge also has low- and no-cost local shuttle service around town and the full-service Deer Lodge Medical Center in town, this town is also well-suited for long-term and full-time senior living.
Beyond the big parks, there is plenty more to see and do in and around Deer Lodge. Tee off at Deer Lodge Golf Course, a 3,200-yard and nine-hole course that offers fun challenges and stunning views of Mount Powell. Nearby, hike around Mount Powell or fish at the creek at Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. And whenever you can use more urban amenities, the city of Butte is only about 37 miles away.
Cloudcroft, New Mexico
Nestled in the Sacramento Mountains about 107 miles northeast of El Paso (Texas), living in Cloudcroft often feels like living high in the clouds, with an elevation of almost 8,700 feet above sea level. However, with a median home sale price of around $300,000, living this high comes at a surprisingly low cost. You can also rest assured that Sacramento Mountain Medical Center provides primary care and community health services in town, plus the full-service Christus Health Medical Center is only 18 miles away in Alamogordo.
For an incredible game of golf 9,000 feet above sea level, hit The Lodge at Cloudcroft for challenging and gorgeous terrain that lets you play up to 18 holes. Since Cloudcroft sits right by Lincoln National Forest, it’s easy to reach some of southern New Mexico’s best hiking and mountain biking trails. For even more adventures, the nearby Mescalero Apache tribal community operates several exciting attractions, including the Ski Apache resort, the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino, and the Mescalero Apache Cultural Center & Museum.
Aspen, Colorado
There is no sugarcoating this: Aspen can be quite expensive, with a median home listing price just above $2M. But if you truly want the finest things in life, Aspen has it all. When it comes to more practical needs, Aspen Valley Hospital has a Level III trauma center and health care in over 25 fields of medicine. The city offers year-round shuttle and bus service around town, and you will find a full suite of local recreational options, including (but not limited to) the Aspen Golf Club, the Aspen Tennis Club, and the Aspen Recreational Center for state-of-the-art fitness facilities, an aquatic center, and plenty more community activities.
In addition, you can't miss the 5,700+ acres of world-class ski and snowboard terrain at Aspen Snowmass, as well as the uniquely beautiful hiking and biking trails at the iconic Maroon Bells mountains. Dive into the local arts scene at the vast and highly acclaimed Aspen Arts Museum and the working artist village at Anderson Ranch Arts Center. And whenever you can use quality rest and relaxation time, take time for yourself and enjoy the services and amenities at the Aspen Alps Health Spa and the St. Regis Aspen Resort’s RAKxa Wellness Spa.
Getting Comfy in the Mountains May Be Easier Than You Think
Sure, the Rocky Mountains may not draw as many retirees as Florida’s hot and steamy beaches. But if you really prefer a retirement full of brisk backcountry hikes, rides on mountain bikes, long days fishing at the lake, and strong and tight-knit communities, then mountain living may be the right choice for you. Whether you prefer a low-key town like Wallace or a sophisticated ski town like Vail, the Rockies have mountain towns to suit all tastes. Even if you want more of a big city lifestyle, cities like Telluride and Hamilton have all the urban amenities you need. However you want to get cozy, these comfortable towns in the Rockies are great for seniors seeking to level up to new heights in active living.
