Frenchtown is a small residential area along the Clark Fork River, about 16 miles northwest of Missoula. Most homes sit on large lots surrounded by open fields and thick forests, with mountains in the distance and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. While the community itself has a small business center, the commute to Missoula is easy for city amenities and other offerings.
The median sales price for a home in Frenchtown is about $600,000, which is slightly higher than that of Missoula’s, around $560,000. The area’s cost of living is met with an average household income of roughly $120,000 for Frenchtown residents. “Opportunities range from affordable housing up to million-dollar homes,” says Mike Hyde, a licensed Realtor with Real Broker, who has about 10 years of experience.
Ranch-style and contemporary single-story homes are common in the area, built between the 1990s and the 2010s. There are also manufactured homes on private lots and split-level homes from the 1970s. Prices range from the mid $200,000s to the mid $800,000s, depending on style, size and condition. Multistory, luxury homes are found on the outskirts of Frenchtown and cost around the lower $700,000s, up to $2.7 million.
The area is served by the highly rated Frenchtown Public Schools. Young children can start their education at Frenchtown Elementary and Intermediate Schools, which has two campuses for kindergarten through fifth grade. Frenchtown High School is known for its Bronc Fast Track Charter School program, which offers concurrent enrollment in college courses with the University of Montana. “[Frenchtown] is a big sports community, since they have a high school football team,” Hyde says.
Most Frenchtown residents commute to Missoula for work. “Commuting from Frenchtown is super easy and convenient because you can pop onto Interstate 90, put it in cruise control and drive over,” Hyde says. Downtown Missoula is about 16 miles east, which often takes less than 20 minutes. Top industries in the area include:
Frenchtown Pond State Park is the area’s main source of recreation, known for its 18-acre namesake water feature. You can cast a line on the fishing dock, go swimming in the water or enjoy paddle sports. The park also has a playground, picnic tables and a multi-use trail. King Ranch Golf Course is nearby, with 18 holes open to the public. There’s also the Echo Valley Disc Golf Course, north of the neighborhood.
Frenchtown’s location at the southern edge of Lolo National Forest provides easy access to outdoor adventure. The 2.3-million-acre forest has dozens of hiking trails, campgrounds and designated areas for skiing. There are also lakes and rivers for additional water recreation.
Most of Frenchtown’s shopping and dining amenities are found along Beckwith Street. Bronc’s Grocery is the neighborhood’s main grocery store, located in Frenchtown Shopping Center. Gammy’s Café is next door, serving both breakfast dishes and homestyle dinners. Other restaurants along the commercial corridor include:
Missoula is the closest major city to Frenchtown, which is why most residents head there for urban amenities. “[Frenchtown] is more of a community where people go to reside. There are some small businesses, but they are not very large,” Hyde says. “Most people, they’re going to be commuting to Missoula.” In addition to big box stores like Target and Costco and chain eateries like Chipotle, Missoula has a downtown area lined with boutiques and unique restaurants.
For entertainment, the city has an art museum, performance theater and farmers market. Young adults can live on campus at the University of Montana, and the Providence St. Patrick Hospital is located on Broadway Street.
Michelle Machek
Keller Williams Western MT
(616) 953-3263
67 Total Sales
1 in Frenchtown
$529,000 Price
Jen Clement
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - Missoula
(406) 802-3278
203 Total Sales
2 in Frenchtown
$580K - $920K Price Range
Chad Stenerson
Great Montana Real Estate
(406) 540-6045
84 Total Sales
2 in Frenchtown
$385K - $600K Price Range
Mike Hyde
Real Broker, LLC
(406) 540-0487
134 Total Sales
3 in Frenchtown
$650K - $750K Price Range
Tory Dailey
ERA Lambros Real Estate Missoula
(406) 926-7483
215 Total Sales
1 in Frenchtown
$381,000 Price
Sally Yarnall
Montana Preferred Properties
(406) 926-7437
46 Total Sales
10 in Frenchtown
$170K - $758K Price Range
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Frenchtown | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 2 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 4 |
| Burglary | 3 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 2 | 4 |
| Larceny | 2 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 2 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in Frenchtown, Missoula sell after 60 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Frenchtown, Missoula over the last 12 months is $599,000, down 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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