wheres should I retire?
You are here: Home > Montana > Havre

Retirement Living In Havre - Montana


Jump to: Area, Characteristics, Cost, Amenities, Climate, Demographics, Housing, Assistance

Area Description

Life at its Best…
Havre Montana…. Montana’s North Star, a place where people can work and raise a family. Located in the rolling plains of north central Montana, Havre began over 100 years ago as the first trains forged across the Great Plains. Havre quickly became the transportation hub of the area, providing goods and supplies to the area trappers, miners and military stationed at Fort Assinniboine, six miles southwest of town.
Prior to 1910, the area was devoted primarily to raising sheep, cattle and horses. Ranches soon became lesser in numbers however, as farms started to produce some of the world's greatest spring and winter wheat. Although agriculture is the undisputed financial mainstay in the area, the economy is diversified with farming, ranching, hospital and health services, education, professional and retail business, manufacturing, and railroad industries.
With the advent of the railroad, Tycoon James Hill felt the name Bullhook Bottoms could be improved. He asked the town’s founding fathers to select a new name. After much discussion, Gus Descelles suggested the name Havre, after his parent’s hometown in France.
Havre is the focal point of commercial activity in the area. As the largest city on the Hi-Line, it serves as a wholesale distribution and retail center for communities within 150 miles. The diverse geography of the Milk River, golden wheat fields and the rising peaks of the Bear Paw Mountains, towering several thousand feet above the plains surround the city of Havre.
Havre is home to Montana State University-Northern providing academic excellence for over 75 years. Northern Montana Health Care is Havre’s largest employer. As a community hospital, the facility provides the best in medical care and treatment for the Hi-Line.
Havre is the county seat of Hill County. Folks who enjoy cultural history, a slower pace of life and open spaces feel right at home in Havre. A low crime rate, a well maintained park system, city recreation programs, solid financial and commercial institutions, an award winning health care system, education systems that stand on excellence, shopping, dining and warm friendly people make this agricultural community a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Region Characteristics



Area Amenities

Things to Do, Recreation & Fitness


   RECREATION

PARKS
Havre’s 19 parks offer picnic tables, baseball diamonds, play equipment, fitness equipment and trails, horseshoe pits, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts as well as crafts and family entertainment.

SUMMER SPORTS
Havre offers numerous city league and sport association sponsored activities. Softball, bowling, tennis, volleyball, golfing, trap shooting, target shooting, soccer and swimming involve the entire community as participants and spectators.

WINTER SPORTS
Sledding, snowmobiling, ice skating, hockey, ice fishing, cross-country and downhill skiing, city league basketball and volleyball are all available for winter fun in and around Havre.

BEAR PAW SKI BOWL
Located 29 miles south of Havre on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation. 24 runs; one double chair lift; open Saturday and Sunday. www.skibearpaw.com

WATER RECREATION
Public swimming is offered throughout the year at the city pool.
During the summer, swimming, fishing, boating and water-skiing can be enjoyed twelve miles west of Havre at Fresno Reservoir.

GOLF
Prairie Farms Golf Course and the Beaver Creek Golf Course both offer a challenging nine-hole layout that is open to the public. Rentals are available and the pro shops offer golfing supplies.

BOWLING
Hi-Line Lanes is a 24 lane bowling facility that offers open and league bowling for all ages.

HEALTH CLUBS
The Down Under Fitness Center and Zoo Health Club offers workout programs for all ages, strength training, weight loss and health education.

FISHING
Havre and the surrounding area offer an abundance of fishing in local lakes, reservoirs and streams.

HUNTING
Hunting enthusiasts will find an abundance of upland game birds, water fowl, whitetail deer, mule deer, elk and antelope.

CAMPING AND HIKING
Beaver Creek County Park and the Bear Paw Mountains offer a large number of campsites and a variety of hiking trails, and camping is also available at Fresno Reservoir.

HOCKEY
Havre Youth Hockey offers youth and league hockey, learn to skate program and public recreational skating. The indoor ice rink is open October-March and is located at the Havre Ice Dome, south on 5th Avenue.

TRAP CLUB
The Havre Trap Club offers five stands and league shooting in the Spring and Fall on Wednesday and Sunday. Located south on 5th Avenue and East on County Road 802
.
BEAVER CREEK PARK
“Largest County Park in the U.S.”
Beaver Creek Park is part of a unique area in North Central Montana Plains Country, the Bear Paw Mountains. The Park is a 10,000-acre strip along the north slopes of the Bear Paw Mountains is the largest county park in the Nation. Within this natural recreation area is rolling grassland, pinewoods, aspen and cottonwood groves, rocky cliffs and cold rushing streams. Beaver Creek, Bear Paw Lake and Lower Beaver Creek Lake are well stocked with Rainbow and Brook Trout, Walleye and Northern Pike, Bass and Perch. The Park abounds with wildlife. Plant and bird species from the Rocky Mountains merge here with those of the Plains proving an excellent area for biThe Park offers limitless opportunities for recreation. Camping by a lake or a stream and picnicking are common summer time activities. Horseback riding and hiking the maintained trails provides great recreation. There are many developed camp and picnic grounds in the southern half of the Park. Most are equipped with tables, fire grates and vault toilets. Camp Kiwanis offers summer camps for area youths, along with facilities for family gatherings. Winter activities include ice fishing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and downhill skiing at the Bear Paw Ski Bowl.ological studies.


Cultural Activities


There are options in the area of arts and entertainment. The Montana Actors Theatre hosts a variety of theatre productions throughout the year. Productions feature the local talent of the area host stage, concert and performing art shows throughout the year. The high school theatre and music departments also provide the community with incredible productions during the school year. Free during the summer is Sounds on the Square at the Town Square, offering local music entertainment in a more casual setting.
Local artists and craftsmen display and sell their work in local galleries. A seasonal farmers market offers a touch of Americana.

Public transportation


We have a regional airport serviced by Cape Air with daily flights to Billings to make all major connections. We have a local taxi service along with inter-city bus service and service to Great Falls as well. Amtrak runs through Havre everyday with 1 east and 1 west bound train. Budget Rental Cars are available locally.

Medical Facilities


Health Care
Northern Montana Health Care (NMHC) provides compassionate, quality health care service to people of North Central Montana. At NMHC, our Mission is to deliver high quality, comprehensive health care services to the Hi-Line communities. Our Vision is to be the health care provider and employer of choice for our Hi-Line communities.
Our hospital is the center of a comprehensive system of medical services staffed with health care professionals who meet the growing needs of our Hi-Line communities. Our 49-bed acute care hospital provides a 24-hour emergence department, imaging services,
(CT scan, nuclear medicine, MRI, mammography, 3-D (4-D) ultrasound, DEXA, ECH, non-invasive vascular ultrasound lab), radiology, physical and rehabilitation therapy, cardio pulmonary rehabilitation, obstetrics/gynecology, 24-hour lab services, in-patient and out-patient surgical services, accredited sleep study lab, dialysis unit, anticoagulation clinic and hospice.
Our two physician clinics offer family and internal medicine, podiatry, orthopedics, general surgery, obstetrics /gynecology, psychiatry/psychology, visiting nurse services and a pharmacy and individual specialists.
Our on-site pharmacy features drive up or free delivery. Our cancer center provides radiation and oncology services to patients.
Our care center offers all private rooms for assisted living, long-term nursing home care, respite care, Alzheimer’s/dementia secure unit, and senior day services in a compassionate environment with planned activities and pastoral care. www.nmhcare.org

Havre’s Bullhook Community Health Center, is a non-profit ambulatory care clinic. The Health Center offers general family medical care, health and wellness exams, dental care and chronic illness management. Bullhook offers reduced fees and access to a sliding fee scale for qualifying patients. Visit www.bullhook.com.

The Hill County Health Department also offers a variety of services to the general public, including: adult and child immunizations, maternal child health, and HIV testing and counseling.

V A Montana Health Care system provides services to veterans throughout the state.



What Will The Climate And Weather Be Like If I Retire In Havre, Montana?

For those of you that retire in Havre, you will have colder temperatures than other areas of the USA.

Winter temperatures are cold with averages in the low 20's and highs in the low 30's. Nights are cold with lows in the upper 0's. You may have some days below 0°. Expect a few days of rain. Assume a few days of snow with a lot of days with snow remaining on the ground so you can enjoy some winter skiing!

If the weather in the spring is too cold for the outdoors, enjoy some indoor activities in Havre such as a movie, a visit to a museum, dining, nightlife or some shopping. Spring temperatures are cold with averages in the mid 40's and highs in the upper 50's. Nights are cold with lows in the low 30's. Expect some rainy days in the spring.

Summertime in Havre is a great time to enjoy your retirement with a day at the lake, an outdoor concert, a local festival or other outdoor activity! Summer temperatures are mild with averages in the upper 60's and highs in the low 80's. Nights are cool with lows in the low 50's. Expect some days above 90°. Expect some rainy days in the summer.

If you retire in Havre, you can look forward to fall weather activities such as biking on a bike path, hiking, enjoying a walking path and more! Fall temperatures are cold with averages in the mid 40's and highs in the upper 50's. Nights are cold with lows in the low 30's. Expect some rainy days in the fall.

Monthly Temperature Ranges

 Month  Low  Avg  High
 Jan  7  18  29
 Feb  11  22  34
 Mar  21  33  45
 Apr  31  45  59
 May  41  55  68
 Jun  49  63  77
 Jul  54  70  85
 Aug  52  69  85
 Sep  42  57  72
 Oct  31  45  59
 Nov  19  30  42
 Dec  8  19  31

Monthly Average # of Hot and Cold Days

 Month  Days Greater Than 90 F°  Days Less Than 32 F°  Days Less Than 0 F°
 Jan  0  29  10
 Feb  0  27  7
 Mar  0  27  2
 Apr  0  16  0
 May  1  4  0
 Jun  3  0  0
 Jul  10  0  0
 Aug  10  0  0
 Sep  2  3  0
 Oct  0  17  0
 Nov  0  26  3
 Dec  0  30  9

Rain & Humidity

 Month  Rainfall  Rainy Days  Humidity
 Jan  0 "  6  9 %
 Feb  0 "  5  12 %
 Mar  1 "  6  20 %
 Apr  1 "  7  27 %
 May  2 "  10  35 %
 Jun  2 "  11  44 %
 Jul  2 "  8  47 %
 Aug  1 "  7  45 %
 Sep  1 "  7  37 %
 Oct  1 "  6  29 %
 Nov  1 "  6  19 %
 Dec  0 "  5  10 %

Snow

 Month  Snowfall  Snow On Ground Days  Snowy Days
 Jan  7 "  18  6
 Feb  6 "  13  5
 Mar  5 "  8  4
 Apr  2 "  1  1
 May  1 "  0  0
 Jun  0 "  0  0
 Jul  0 "  0  0
 Aug  0 "  0  0
 Sep  0 "  0  0
 Oct  1 "  1  1
 Nov  5 "  6  4
 Dec  7 "  12  5


Natural Disaster Areas


Cost of Living for Havre, MT

Havre, Montana cost of living for Housing, Healthcare, Transportation, Taxes, Utilities, etc.:

Cost of Living

Demographics

Race

Religion

Political Party

Age

Senior Housing Options

While we offer a selection of housing we also have a limited number of apartments and condos. But there is a housing study being done to help with development in these areas.

Senior Assistance in Havre, MT

Havre, Montana offers the following assistance for seniors:

We have a full service care center that is part of the Northern MT Health Care, Eagles Manor, and Timber Creek offers Senior living apartments with full service offerings.

What Job or Volunteer Opportunities Does Havre Offer For Retirees?

We have a local job service that assists with job placements.
Community service is a high priority
The smiling volunteers of the local Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis, Jaycees, United Way, to name just a few, are living out the service tradition that has deep roots in Havre. For the civic-minded, who wish to have fun and give back to the community, there is much to do. There is never a short fall of volunteers and expertise when help is needed. Hundreds of community members give thousands of hours to the many organizations in Havre. Many of the non-profits organizations have options on ways to get involved, from volunteers positions to board of directors. The sense of community working together is shown in many projects, activities and in the success of several organizations and their projects. The Chamber of Commerce plays an important role in community events and involvement.

Retired Living
Havre is great place to retire. Many of today’s retirees are active and on the move. Our 4 seasons provide a variety of activities. Some of our retired residents have moved back to Havre after finishing a fulfilling career outside the state, some have moved here to be close to family and others discovered Havre while on vacation and later decided to make Havre their home.
In addition to vibrant, comprehensive services designed to allow people age gracefully and in place, Havre offers friendly folks, accessible outdoor recreation, housing, public transportation and top-notch award winning medical facilities. Our community offers for further learning through adult education programs and MSU-Northern.
A great part of what makes Havre special is our strong culture of volunteerism. Older adults can find volunteering opportunities through programs such as Retired Senior Volunteer Program(RSVP), gives seniors the chance to volunteer in businesses and social settings and also a chance to provide a valuable service to the community.
A step into the Havre Senior Center is proof this center is truly the hub for senior activity. Activities include…..card clubs, bingo, legal and medical services.

Additional Information

Visitor Information


Back to: Area, Characteristics, Cost, Amenities, Climate, Demographics, Housing, Assistance

     







Disclaimer Privacy Contact Us