Lakeside living and scenic Montana mountain views in Polson
Polson is a northwestern Montana community on the Flathead Indian Reservation at the southern shore of Flathead Lake. The area offers dramatic scenery and is a popular pit stop for travelers heading to Glacier National Park. The construction of the first lakefront homes in the 1950s started drawing new residents in earnest, but longtime locals know that Polson continues to be a down-home community despite its rise in popularity. “I’m a fourth-generation Montana girl, and nothing beats Polson for me," says Wilma Mixon-Hall, a Realtor with Savoir Faire Properties, who’s been selling homes for over two decades. "The lake views are stunning. This community isn’t some chic resort spot, but that adds to the charm. People really do work, live and play here,” she says. "Three stories in Polson is a skyscraper – I look out any window, and it’s just a mass of gorgeous deciduous trees.”
Midcentury bungalows, new construction and waterfront homes
With the rise of the mountains on the horizon and bright blue lake views, much of Polson’s appeal is in its scenery. Near downtown are some of the area’s oldest properties, with bungalows and ranch styles from the early-to-mid-20th century sitting along quiet, narrow streets. “Our prices have jumped drastically. But when you compare them to places like Whitefish, which is only 30 minutes away and double our prices, it’s all relative,” Mixon-Hall says. “We have a very cyclical market. It’s quiet now, so it’s a great time to get in before it picks back up.” A slew of new construction started in Polson in 1990, with architecture ranging from small board-and-batten New Traditional homes to sprawling custom lakeside estates. The median sales price for single-family homes in Polson is $670,000.
Water recreation around Flathead Lake and local biking
Bordered by Polson Bay and Flathead River, which connect to Flathead Lake, residents can access a vast range of water-based recreation. The river and bay are lined with boat ramps, swimming docks and city-funded green spaces. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes maintain Flathead Lake’s clarity and water levels, mainly through the use of the Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ Dam on Polson’s south side. “Flathead Lake is pristine, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the West. It’s a little cumbersome getting into the water, but all our local boaters and lake lovers have figured out the tricks,” Mixon-Hall says. “There are tons of gorgeous hikes around the lake and mountains, and we have a super active biking community. There’s a biking trail that wraps around all of Polson, like 10 miles long.” On the community’s east side, Polson Bay Golf Course offers a 27-hole course open to the public since 1938.
Proximity to retail plazas and the local businesses of downtown Polson
Along Highway 93 are shopping plazas with big-box stores and retailers. “Everything really is at your fingertips. You’re not struggling to get anything. We have a super Walmart and lots of clothing stores – it’s real easy,” Mixon-Hall says. In downtown Polson, residents meander the sidewalks, passing clothing boutiques, art galleries and independent eateries. “We’ve got a lot of good restaurants and a pretty active bar scene around Main Street. I’m a fan of The Durham. They’ve got great drinks and exceptionally good bar food.”
Kindergarten through 12th grade with the Polson School District
Polson School District serves the area, and while Montana does not have charter schools, it does offer several different types of school choice. Children can attend kindergarten and first grade at Cherry Valley School, which is currently unrated by Niche, before heading to B-rated Linderman Elementary School. Polson Middle School gets a B-minus, and Polson High School is rated B-plus. When students enter ninth grade, they can join the Link Crew program, where first-year students are paired with specific Link departments to help them acclimate to high school life.
Highway 93 and future infrastructure changes
The community’s main road is Highway 93, which leads to the Flathead River. “Highway 93 is the only road to Glacier, so traffic can get gnarly, especially in July and August with tens of thousands of tourists,” Mixon-Hall says. “There are two roads around the lake, but they all converge to 93. We’re hoping to at least get another bridge over the river in the next five years.” Polson has no public transportation, so residents are car-dependent.
