Whitefish : Montana

What Whitefish is like for active adults

The town of Whitefish, Montana is a popular retirement community for active adults 55+ looking for outdoor beauty and adventure. Even though it is somewhat remote, the town is a major tourist destination and Amtrak stop. Active adults retire o this community for a slower way of life in the mountains. The population was 5,032 at the 2000 census. It is home to a number of ski resorts, including Big Mountain Ski Area. Hunting, fishing, hiking are excellent. The town is built on gorgeous Whitefish Lake, which makes for an ideal setting.

Whitefish began in 1904 when The Great Northern Railway was built through here. It was originally called Stumptown due to the logging that took place to clear the valley. The railroad and logging were the original industries, but the tourism has become increasingly important. Prices tend to be quite expensive because there is a limited supply of privately available land. Almost any home or condo has a spectacular view of the mountains or lake.

Whitefish real estate can have a huge range. On the pricey side, an early 2007 MLS search for one agency had 9 listings. The most expensive was for a $5,950,000, 2BR, 2 bath, and 3 car garage home on the lake with private dock. An offering for $1,900,000 could purchase a ski-in, ski-out 4BR, 5 bathroom condo (4300 sq.ft.) at Big Mountain. Five of the other nine listings were for houses on the market for less than $150,000 (some were foreclosures). A search on Yahoo Real Estate for the Town of Whitefish found 23 homes on the MLS for a median price of $989,000. There were 51 advertised in the classifieds with a median asking price of $375,000.

Whitefish is located in Flathead County. It is equidistant from Missoula (MT) and Spokane (WA) – about 110 miles. Use this link to find out more about what is like retire in Montana, including information about climate and taxes.

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What is special about this retirement community

• Big Mountain Ski Resorts • Glacier National Park • Western town of Whitefish • Unparalleled nature activities and scenery • Whitefish Lake • Flathead Lake and Flathead Valley

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What is not special about this retirement community

• Crowds in season • Whitefish is off the beaten track • The nicest places are very expensive.

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What kinds of people like retiring here

Whitefish attracts a community of retirees who want to live in the mountains and enjoy nature and outdoor sports. The noted outdoorsman Noel Poux lives here.

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Local economy is driven by

Tourism and real estate are important to the economy.

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Climate and Physical Environment

Whitefish and Whitefish Lake are on the western side of the continental divide, near Glacier National Park.

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Cultural environment

Whitefish culture is built around its proximity to nature and outdoor sports. The Stumptown Museum includes many railroad artifacts as well as community memorabilia and photographs. In 1990 the Depot, located in the historic depot building, was restored to its original 1927 Glacier National Park chalet-like appearance. Great Northern Locomotive #181, one of only seven of its kind ever built, can be seen at the museum. Big Mountain Ski Resort offers many events and festivals. The Environmental Education Center is located on top of Big Mountain.

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Medical facilities

North Valley Hospital is a 44 acute bed, 56 long term bed facility offering personalized health care. 24 hour emergency care is available.

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Transportation

The Amtrak Station here is one of the line’s busiest, and befits the area’s beginning as a railroad town. Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) is also here.

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Facts about WHITEFISH

State: MT
Environment: Rural,Mountains,Lake,
City Population: Less than 10,000
Median age of Population: 25-44
Avg Jan Temperature: 21-40
Median HH Income: 20,001-40,000
Average Home Price (MLS): $300,001-$500,000
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: NA
Total Crime Index: <80 (Very low)
Cost of Living Index: 101-110 (slightly above average)
Culture Index: <80 (Very low)
State Sales Tax: No
State Income Tax: Yes
Name of the Guide: jfb

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