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Tap the EnergyIn Gainesville, FLOxford, MS:A Southern LegendCommunities EmbraceA Green Future Undiscovered Haven:Scenic Bozeman, MT

Tap the EnergyIn Gainesville, FLOxford, MS:A Southern LegendCommunities EmbraceA Green FutureUndiscovered Haven:Scenic Bozeman, MT

The Artsy Vibe Of Brunswick, ME

The Artsy Vibe Of Brunswick, ME

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010Display until January 31NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010Display until January 31

Laury and Steve Sullivanof Gainesville, FL

Laury and Steve Sullivanof Gainesville, FL

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Like many people, Jane wasn’tfamiliar with Bozeman. In fact,she had never been to Montanaand had to check the map tofind the city. Situated alongInterstate 90, it’s home to Mon-tana State University and is agateway to Yellowstone Nation-al Park, which is about 80 milessouth, lapping over the Mon-tana state line from Wyoming.The town’s smaller size, with

a population under 40,000,appealed to Jane, and she wassurprised by its “big-city infra-structure — the outstandingpublic transportation, medicalfacilities, cultural activities andopportunities and even theshopping.” She also likes itspedestrian-friendly nature. “It’sgreat to be able to walk almostanywhere I’d need to go,” shesays, noting that The Knolls isconveniently located.For John “Butch” Andrews, 65, and wife Kay, 63,

or Jane Mahlow, a 56-year-old semiretired veterinarian from

Austin, TX, it was an ad in Where to Retire that spurred her

interest in relocating to Bozeman. Once she paid a visit, she

was smitten by the southwestern Montana city’s comfortable

size and “its friendly and wholesome nature.”

Jane became one of the first buyers in the community that was

advertised, The Knolls at Hillcrest, the area’s first active-adult

neighborhood. She’s looking forward to the completion of her new

home in spring 2011.

retiring to Bozeman was theculmination of a long develop-ing affair with Montana. In thefall of 2009, they relocated fromLittle Rock, trading the lowmountains of central Arkansasfor the towering snowcappedpeaks of the Rockies.“We simply fell in love with

the scenic grandeur of it all.The famous Big Sky, the freshair, laid-back atmosphere andso many outdoor activities com-bined to match our concept ofa retirement dream location,”says Kay, who first visited Mon-tana in 2002 to witness heractress daughter Tonya performwith the Virginia City Players.The troupe presents fun 19th-century shows during the sum-mer in the historic gold miningtown of Virginia City, about 65miles southwest of Bozeman.

In 2008, Butch and Kay retired from careers with afamily-owned Arkansas furniture maker and looked

BozemanF

Montana’s Big Sky, fresh air and outdoor recreationmake city near Yellowstone National Park a dream spot

Downtown Bozeman spotlights its galleryscene each summer with a series of art

walks and special exhibits.

Downtown Bozeman spotlights its galleryscene each summer with a series of art

walks and special exhibits.

UNDISCOVERED HAVENS............................................................................................................................................................................................................

Story and photos by Dave G. Houser

west. “We just naturally gravitated toBozeman, which had served us wellas a base during many of our visitsover the years,” she says.Situated on the fringes of the ver-

dant Gallatin Valley, Bozeman is sur-rounded by mountains, flanked mostimmediately by the Bridger, TobaccoRoot and Gallatin ranges. It’s a classi-cally scenic, environmentally pristineMontana setting — one that RobertRedford selected as a location for his1992 movie, “A River Runs ThroughIt.” The surrounding natural beautycomes to life in captivating scenes offly-fishing on area streams and rivers.Originally home to a Crow Indian

encampment, modern-day Bozemanwas established in 1864 following thefounding of the Bozeman Trail, an off-shoot of the Oregon Trail to link upwith the Virginia City mines. The cityhas a colorful frontier history that’sevident today in the nearly 50 down-town buildings listed on the NationalRegister of Historic Places.With about 13,000 students, it has a

college-town atmosphere that’s fre-quently cited as a major draw. As aneducational center, it has attracted aburgeoning high-tech/biotech industrywith nearly a dozen companies settingup operations in recent years.

Pennsylvanians Bill and Trica Skid-more were introduced to Bozemanwhen son Peter attended Montana

State University in the 1970s. When hereturned to take up permanent resi-dence in 2007, Bill and Trica beganvisiting more frequently — withgrandkids becoming a big attraction— and by 2009 they’d become soenamored with the city they decidedto make the move themselves.“The surroundings are just so fresh

and beautiful,” notes Trica, “that it

affects people’s attitudes — nearlyeveryone here seems so happy.”Bozeman is a gateway to boundless

recreational opportunities, includinggolfing, hiking, cycling, white-waterrafting, horseback riding, hunting, fish-ing and skiing — both downhill andcross-country. World-class downhillskiing, featuring one of the largest ver-tical drops in North America, is readi-ly accessible at Big Sky Resort, about45 miles south of Bozeman. Closer in,low-key, low-cost Bridger Bowl Ski

Area is a ready choice among resi-dents and visitors alike. Snowmobilingand snowshoeing are popular winterpursuits in the area as well.Golf enthusiasts will find a pair of

excellent public courses — BridgerCreek Golf Course, a Golf Digestchoice as one of Montana’s top 10,and Cottonwood Hills Golf Club.Butch Andrews frequents CottonwoodHills and describes it as “beautifullyconditioned and very enjoyable toplay.”Dozens of outfitters, resorts and

guest ranches offer horseback riding,

Local growers and craftsmen fill the Bogert Farmers Market each Tuesdayfrom June through September. Above: Bill and Trica Skidmore have a homeat Aspen Pointe within walking distance of medical and shopping facilities.Right: Fly-fishing guides and outfitters are booming businesses in the area.

Local growers and craftsmen fill the Bogert Farmers Market each Tuesdayfrom June through September. Above: Bill and Trica Skidmore have a homeat Aspen Pointe within walking distance of medical and shopping facilities.Right: Fly-fishing guides and outfitters are booming businesses in the area.

and many of them can organize multi-day pack trips. The renowned troutwaters of the Madison, Gallatin andYellowstone rivers attract anglers fromaround the world. Hikers are reward-ed with an extensive network of trailsradiating from the city. Two paths, onethrough a beautiful juniper forest,climb Baldy Mountain to the concrete“M,” created by MSU students in 1915near the mouth of Bridger Canyon.Another popular destination, HyaliteDrainage Recreational Area, features avariety of trails to lakes, streams,waterfalls and 10,000-foot peaks.“For us, outdoor recreation is one

of Bozeman’s biggest selling points,”says Kate Evans, who came westfrom Illinois with husband Dick toretire at the Big Sky resort-residentialcommunity in 1986. He had a careerin sales and she was a journalist, writ-ing for Chicago area newspapers. InSeptember 2009, the couple, now intheir 80s, relocated to Bozeman to becloser to urban amenities and servic-es, including medical care whenneeded. They walk daily on scenicrecreational paths overlooking thevalley and mountain ranges, andthey, along with the Skidmores andAndrewses, frequent the numerouscross-country ski trails in winter.Residents are quick to point out the

city’s numerous theaters, museums,galleries and other cultural venues.The Emerson Center for the Arts &Culture draws specific praise fromJane and the Skidmores. Housed in a1918 school building where class-

rooms now serve as artist work-spaces, yoga studios and galleries, theEmerson is a vital arts hub of thecommunity.Unusual for its size, Bozeman main-

tains vibrant symphony, opera andtheater companies. The BozemanSymphony Society presents 16 con-certs from September to April. TheIntermountain Opera Association hasbeen producing grand opera hereevery spring since 1979. Acclaimedprofessional artists from around thecountry join singers from MSU and thecommunity to don dazzling costumesfor a series of performances on stagesthat have included hand-painted setsfrom Milan, Italy.The Equinox Theatre Company is

Bozeman’s year-round resident profes-sional ensemble and the community’sleading provider of performing artseducational programs. The Evansesand Jane like the Equinox for its edgy,inventive productions that run thegamut from the works of modernplaywrights to bawdy new takes ontried-and-true classics.The Ellen Theatre downtown is

another popular venue. “The Ellen is afabulous old 1919 vaudeville palace,and somehow they’ve managed tosave it,” says Kate. “You’d have to seeit to believe it. Neil Simon’s comedy‘Laughter on the 23rd Floor’ is comingup. They have all kinds of shows.We’ve seen Arlo Guthrie there and theGlenn Miller Orchestra.”Housed in the stern-looking red-

brick 1911 county jail building on

Main Street, the Pioneer Museumdoes a fine job portraying the earlydays of Bozeman and Gallatin Coun-ty. The Museum of the Rockies,which is part of MSU and just southof the campus, stands out as Mon-tana’s premier natural and culturalmuseum. While it has a planetariumand an active living-history farm, themain attraction here is a collection offossils, including some very big ones,such as the largest T. rex skull in theworld and some of the few dinosaurnests and eggs known to exist.Downtown, many of the old brick

buildings now thrive as boutiquesand bookstores along with cafes, cof-feehouses and more than a few goodrestaurants. Favorites are MontanaAle Works and Ted’s Montana Grill,considered the best place in town totie into a bison steak. Montana AleWorks reigns as Bozeman’s mostpopular hangout for folks of all ages— from students to seniors — serv-ing a casual mix of steaks, burgers,fish and game, along with more than30 microbrews on tap.With all the attributes, though,

there’s no getting around winters inMontana — they’re cold. The sur-rounding ranges somewhat shelterBozeman from the truly heavy snow

The Pioneer Museum, in the formercounty jail, explores the rich history ofGallatin County and Bozeman. Aboveleft: Atop a ridge, The Knolls andadjoining communities have sweepingviews of the valley and mountains.

Population: 39,282Location: Bozeman is in southwest Mon-tana on Interstate 90, about 200 milessoutheast of Missoula and 400 milesnorth of Salt Lake City. It’s about 80 milesfrom Gardiner, MT, the northern entranceto Yellowstone National Park, whichextends slightly across the state line fromWyoming. The elevation of Bozeman isabout 4,800 feet.Climate: High LowJanuary 33 14July 82 52Average relative humidity: About 60%Rain: 18 inches annuallySnow: 84 inches annuallyCost of living: Slightly above averageHousing cost: In Bozeman, the mediansales price was $237,000 for single-familyhomes and $168,750 for condos andtownhomes for the first half of 2010,according to the Gallatin Association ofRealtors and the Southwest MontanaMultiple Listing Service.Sales tax: NoneState income tax: The rate is graduatedin seven brackets from 1% of taxableincome under $2,600 to 6.9% (minus$496) of taxable income above $15,600.Income tax exemptions: A retirement-income exemption of up to $3,640 perperson is available if federal adjusted grossincome is less than $30,320 for 2010. Apartial exemption is available if income isbelow $32,140 for singles or $33,960 formarried couples filing jointly. The exemp-tion is indexed with inflation. Also, eachtaxpayer age 65 and older may excludeup to $800 in interest income.Estate tax: NoneInheritance tax: NoneProperty tax: The calculation is complex,using a formula that includes a state taxrate. The tax can be estimated at about1% of a home’s purchase price. For moreinformation, contact the Gallatin CountyTreasurer’s Office, (406) 582-3030.Homestead exemption: Homeownersget an exemption of 39.5% off their prop-erty’s market value.Personal property tax: Motor vehiclesare subject to a county option tax of .5percent of the manufacturer’s suggestedretail price, with the value depreciatingyearly by a state-set percentage. Annuallythe state charges a flat registration fee of$217 for passenger vehicles less than 4years old, $87 for vehicles 5 to 10 yearsold and $28 thereafter.

Religion: There are more than 50churches, a pair of synagogues, a Bud-dhist temple, an Islamic center andmosque and a Sikh place of worship inthe Bozeman area.Education: Montana State Universitywas founded in 1893 and is home tothe Museum of the Rockies, noted for itscollection of dinosaur fossils and paleon-tology program. The university, withabout 13,000 students, offers numerousdegree programs as well as continuing-education classes and noncredit enrich-ment courses at discounted rates for sen-iors. The Bozeman Senior Center pro-vides activities and services, including fit-ness classes, for adults 50 and older, andhas volunteer opportunities, as do sever-al organizations.Transportation: Gallatin Field Airport,eight miles northwest of town, has up to25 daily flights during peak season, goingto such destinations as Salt Lake City, Den-ver, Las Vegas, Seattle and Chicago. Shut-tle to Big Sky & Taxi, (888) 454-5667,offers airport transfers to and from the city,Big Sky Resort and Yellowstone NationalPark. Additional shuttle service is available.The free Streamline bus system, (406)587-2434, runs Monday through Fridayduring the day and Thursday, Friday andSaturday nights in Bozeman and to sever-al surrounding communities, with sea-sonal routes for Bridger Bowl Ski Area.Streamline connects with Skyline bus fortravel to and from Big Sky. Buses arewheelchair accessible and equipped withbike racks.Health care: Bozeman Deaconess Hos-pital, an 86-bed acute-care facility, is alicensed Level III trauma center withadvanced medical care. It has a cancercenter; dialysis unit; surgical, lab, radiolo-gy and rehabilitation services; and car-diac, vascular and pulmonary careamong services. The town also has anumber of health-care clinics.Housing: Bozeman boasts a largenumber of older, and in many cases, his-toric properties in the downtown areawith prices from $275,000 to $1 million.The Knolls at Hillcrest, (406) 522-7084, is a new 55-plus communityalongside The Highlands, a large mas-ter-planned development close todowntown, the university and the hos-pital. The Knolls has trails with morepaths planned, along with parks andother amenities. Maintenance-free, sin-

gle-family homes start in the high$300,000s. Adjacent to The Knolls isHillcrest Senior Living, (406) 556-2008, with independent-living apart-ment homes in Aspen Pointe and assist-ed-living units in Birchwood. It’s associat-ed with the hospital. Also on the southside, Alder Creek offers homes from$275,000 to the $600,000s, and West

Meadow includes some of the area’smost expensive homes priced from$350,000 to $950,000. To the west,there are new homes in Valley West,(406) 587-0154, from $199,000 to$300,000, and about seven miles fromtown newer, well-built homes withbeautiful views can be found in ElkGrove, (406) 582-7490, from $250,000to $450,000. Contact local realty agentsfor information on communities.Visitor lodging: There are dozens ofchoices among hotels, vacation rentalsand bed-and-breakfasts in Bozeman.Lewis & Clark Motel, located in the historicdowntown, offers a hot tub, fitness facili-ties and free breakfast and Internet, from$49, (800) 332-7666. The Holiday Inn,convenient to MSU, has a business center,free Internet, full restaurant and indoorpool, from $99, (406) 587-4561. HiltonGarden Inn, next door to the BozemanArea Chamber of Commerce on the city’snorth side, has a breakfast buffet, freeInternet, indoor pool and fitness center,from $139, (406) 582-9900.Information: Bozeman Area Chamber ofCommerce and Convention and VisitorsBureau, 2000 Commerce Way, Bozeman,MT 59715, (406) 586-5421 for chamber,(800) 228-4224 for visitor information orwww.bozemanchamber.com and www.bozemancvb.com. The visitors center islocated at 1003 N. Seventh Ave.

B O Z E M A N, M O N T A N A

and fierce subzero temperatures com-mon to many areas of the state. Yet,on average, the area snowfall exceeds80 inches each season. The weatherhasn’t been a deterrent to the retireesinterviewed, however.“We were greeted by a 20-inch

snow the week we moved in,” saysBill. “I don’t think we’ve had a snowlike it since. Plus, this is a drier coldwith sunny breaks, quite unlike thecold, wet, dreary winters back East.”Bill, 81, was a career governmentlawyer whose last stint was with theOffice of Management and Budget inWashington, DC. Trica, 77, spent 19years as a paralegal at the FederalTrade Commission. They tried retire-ment at their longtime country homein Pennsylvania’s Delaware Valley, butthe location proved too remote,requiring long, difficult drives for sup-plies, services and medical care.In Bozeman, Bill and Trica settled

into a two-bedroom apartment home atAspen Pointe, a 115-unit independent-living component of the Hillcrest SeniorLiving community that also includes anassisted-living complex, Birchwood.Aspen Pointe has a lodgelike commonarea, fitness facilities, masseuse servicesand a dining room among amenities.

The two neighborhoods are associatedwith the nearby Bozeman DeaconessHospital, part of a large medical com-plex with doctors’ offices.“Convenience has been one of the

biggest bonuses to come out of ourmove to Bozeman,” Trica says. “Wecan walk to Deaconess hospital — andeven into town or to the university.That’s not only convenient, it’s health-ful!” Bill adds, “We have everything weneed right at hand and we are ashappy as can be with our new home— and with Bozeman in general. Therange of intellectual and spiritual stim-ulation we find here is quite astonish-ing for a city of only 40,000 people.”Dick and Kate also chose a two-

bedroom apartment at Aspen Pointe.“We’ve found the same kind of closecommunity here at Hillcrest with allthe comfort and companionship weenjoyed for so many years at Big Sky,”Dick says.The senior communities are next to

The Knolls development, where Janebought one of the single-family homes— the 1,515-square-foot, two-bed-room Avens model, a distinctive sin-gle-level layout with energy-savingfeatures. Situated atop a grassy ridgeoverlooking the city and mountains,

the neighborhoods adjoin a linearpark with walking trails and The High-lands, a new 500-acre master-plannedproject.Like many places in the West, hous-

ing prices run higher than averagehere. “The thing that almost deterredus from coming to Bozeman,” Butchsays, “was the high price of real estate— so high, in fact, that we decided ona condo.” The Andrewses purchased athree-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathunit in the Baxter Meadows neighbor-hood at a figure he feels was “quitepricey” relative to other markets inMontana.“Bozeman home prices have run up

quite a bit in recent years, right alongwith the city’s growing popularity,”says local Prudential agent CarlaHealy, “but in the last year or so priceshave dropped off and now seem to besettling in at a much more affordablelevel.”If Healy is right, Bozeman could be

a real bargain — but don’t forget topack the parkas.

Dave G. Houser is an award-winningwriter-photographer based in New Mexi-co and visited Bozeman for Where toRetire.

Reprinted from Where to Retire Copyright 2010. For subscription information, call 713/974-6903, or visit www.WheretoRetire.com.