Montana Senior Living
You know that Montana is much more than majestic mountain ranges, hunky cowboys, clear blue skies and grazing cattle, right? The Big Sky State actually has a wealth of attractive qualities that make it a perfect location for anyone looking for Montana senior living options.
Sharing its northern border with Canada, more than half of state is rolling plains, cut by three long rivers. Choosing senior living in Montana means you’ll be able to enjoy Glacier National Park, ‘ghost towns’ like Virginia City, as well as seven Native American reservations, six of which are on the Great Plains.
2011 U.S. Census Bureau data estimates that senior citizens make up 13.3% of the U.S. population. With an even higher senior citizen population of 15.2%, Montana is increasingly creating more and more options for senior living communities throughout the state.
Montanta Assisted Living Costs
The average monthly cost for independent living in Montana is $2,563, with a range of costs between $1,895 and $3,647 depending on service level and location. *From the SeniorHomes.com 2012 Independent Living Cost Survey. (http://www.seniorhomes.com/p/independent-living-costs/)
- The State Agency Responsible for Regulating Assisted Living is the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Quality Assurance Division
- Regulations for Montana Assisted Living Facilities
Retirement in Montana
Montana has a lot of offer its residents, but it does come with a pretty hefty price tag. Besides being arguably one of the most beautiful states, it also boasts a fairly high cost of living. According to Best Places, Montana's cost of living is 4.10% higher than the U.S. average.
And just to add fuel to the money flame, Montana doesn’t fall into the tax friendly category either, according to Kiplinger. The good news is that there is no general sales tax, but the bad news is that the state does tax retirement income.
Did you know that…?
- Residents 65 and older can exclude up to $1,600 of interest income from state taxes. *www.kiplinger.com
- The state allows a pension- and annuity-income exemption of up to $3,760 per person, subject to certain income limitations. *www.kiplinger.com
- Any homeowner or renter 62 or older can apply for a refundable income-tax credit worth up to $1,000 if they have lived in Montana for nine months, occupied a residence for six months and have a gross household income of less than $45,000. *www.kiplinger.com
- There is no inheritance or estate tax in Montana.
Best Montana Cities for Retirement
Mountain lovers rejoice in this mountainous state because of its access to hiking and climbing, but the Montana city life has a lot to offer as well. Several small towns in Montana are becoming known as retirement communities. Whitefish, Missoula and Bozeman have all had a "boomer boom" with a new senior population over the years. In fact, Bozeman has been chosen as one of the best places to Retire by USNews.com. And while a lot of people retire in Montana looking for a tranquil ranch out on the open range, average home prices in major cities hover around $168,900, which is slightly above the national average.
Health Care in Montana
Montana has over 60 hospitals and medical centers, and four of these rank for high performance state-level.
Quick Medical Guide for Montana:
Activities for Seniors in Montana
Montana is an active seniors paradise. With mountains and rivers and various outdoor activities, this state is perfect for hikers and anyone looking for some incredible fishing spots.
Montana is full of open plains and expansive ranches, but it does have an impressive list of lively cities that are perfect for the retirement lifestyle. Bozeman is just about as idyllic as you can get. Tucked in to the base of the Rocky Mountains, Bozeman offers a range of outdoor activities. It's also just a hop, skip and a mosey to Yellowstone National Park. In wintertime, this charming little city attracts those crazy downhill skiiers, looking for that perfect snowbunny experience. Choosing to retire in Montana means you’ll be able to enjoy Glacier National Park, ‘ghost towns’ like Virginia City, as well as seven Native American reservations, six of which are on the Great Plains.
Local Weather
The Montana climate is perfect for those that bask in colder weather. While the higher altitude climate is characterized as steppe, there is plenty of sunshine to be able to enjoy an outdoorsy lifestyle. Mild summers make Montana a comfortable place to retire, but only if you’re willing to stand the severe winter temperatures. But, heh, that’s what fireplaces are for, right? Take a look at Montana's current weather!
Sharp Seniors has 7 Senior Living Facilities in Montana
- 7 of them offer Senior Living
- 4 of them offer Assisted Living
- 2 of them offer Alzheimer's Care
- 1 of them offer Respite
