Towsend, MT...thinking on buying retirement property there (Helena, Townsend: live in, price)

[kcorn78]

Can anyone share your thoughts with me on Townsend area? I have not been there and I live in Texas but, I am wanting to buy property in Montana. I found some I can afford in Townsend but I would have to do it site unseen. Google Earth only shows so much and I can not draw a good conclusion for it. I am hoping someone can fill me in on the territory there. Thanks.

[MTSilvertip]

Townsend is a great place, but you need to know exactly where the property is as there are places in the area that have 0 water, some are only accessable in the summer, some don't have roads to the property or right of ways.

I know of one piece of ground there that was 160 acres at a really good price, but you had to access it by foot as there was no easement.

There is some beautiful land in the area, you have the Elkhorn mountains on the west side of the valley, the Big Belts on the other, a wide fertile valley with the Missouri river running through it. Lots of fishing and world class hunting.
Townsend itself is a pretty little community, pretty agriculture based but a lot of folks commute from Townsend to Helena every day for work.

That area can get hit with snow and wind, and it can get cold there, but overall it's a nice place to be.

I would never buy ground in Montana sight unseen, there are too many shady realtors here to ever take that chance.

Good Luck!

[kcorn78]

Thank you very much MTSilvertip...the land is in a place called Grassy Mountain Ranch. Have you ever heard of that?

[MTSilvertip]

On the Deep Creek Divide between Townsend and White Sulphur?

If it's that one, it is a pretty area high in the Big Belt Mountains. Depending on the parcel, some are very nice.
It's main problem is it is pretty high up there so it gets a lot of snow. It's about 15 miles to Townsend, and about the same to White Sulphur, so if that is the place you would want a good vehicle, and keep some food stored for the winter.

It's an older established development, pretty good gravel roads and a paved 2 lane highway. Some timber, lots of wildlife, good views.

As long as you don't have to get out to work everyday, it would be a very nice place.

If that is the development you are referencing, it is actually mostly in Meagher County not Broadwater where Townsend is.

[volosong]

Last year on a visit to my friend who lives on a ranch north of Three Forks, I took the opportunity to ride my bicycle from Townsend out highway 12 to the top of the hills. A lot of times, cars/trucks don't like to share the roads with bikes, but everyone I encountered gave me a wide berth and was very respectful. Parked the car in town for several hours and it was not messed with in any way. From what I saw, I like Townsend and would consider spending my retirement years there.

[Morganpony]

if considering three forks area beware of this place ....

//www.city-data.com/forum/bozem...-forks-mt.html


I was out there a couple years back and it is an awful place to get a start in. and the road out there was long as all get out.

[Morganpony]

However, while the 3fks area is gorgeous, the beautiful areas all cost..remember if its cheap there has got to be a reason