Seven Best Places to Retire in Canada
A retirement in Canada provides you with many living choices. From picturesque waterfronts to lively cities, “the True North” is one of the best countries in which to retire.Whether you are thinking of moving to Canada, or you are a citizen of the Great White North thinking of making a move, here is a list of the best places to head to. Updated for 2017 with new data.
1. Kingston, Ontario:
In 2012, Amazon.ca called Kingston the most romantic city in Canada. Its beautiful lakefront, excellent restaurants, and historic architecture infuse Kingston with an indelible quaintness. Kingston is also one of the safest cities in the country. According to Money Sense, Kingston was the ninth best place to retire in 20161. Average property tax last year was only $2,110. The same website listed it as the 16th best city in all of Canada, to invest in retirement, in 20172.
We list the best retirement homes in Kingston, and older Canadians should check out reviews of adult lifestyle communities near here.
2. Vancouver, British Columbia:
Vancouver is a perfect city for active adult retirement living. If you enjoy the energetic environment of a big city or being surrounded by magnificent nature, then Vancouver is the place for you. “Hollywood North” has some of Canada’s most well recognize entertainment, restaurants, arts, and culture. Numerous residents of Vancouver’s retirement homes also claim that living next to the Pacific Ocean is quite soothing. You can find a list of some of Vancouver's best retirement homes. Vancouver has a reputation for some of the most expensive real estate in the world but it's still considered one of Canada's best places to invest (8th overall), according to MoneySense, in 20172. If you really want a great investment, check out BC's active lifestyle communities.
Check out our look at BC's best places to retire!
3. Victoriaville, Quebec
Victoriaville is a scenic city that is located on the Nicolet River. Its website indicates that, "this enchanting arrangement offers the kind of space that nature lovers go crazy for." Hiking, golfing, and river canoeing are some of the many activities that you could enjoy in Victoriaville. It is also one of the most relaxing cities in Canada and a great place for affordable retirement living.
4. Halifax, Nova Scotia
Retirees in Halifax often appreciate its Maritime climate. In other words, it is neither frigid in the winter nor excruciatingly hot in the summer. In Halifax, you could spend your retirement taking pleasure in the city’s breathtaking beaches, incredible wineries and abundant parks. In 2017, Halifax was listed as #25 on the list of best Canadian cities in which to invest2.
5. Toronto, Ontario
Toronto is ideal for healthy and self-sufficient seniors. If you enjoy a dynamic and exciting atmosphere, then you should consider a retirement home in Toronto. Ontario’s capital is popular for its magnificent downtown core, great entertainment, five professional sports teams and some of the top restaurants in Canada. Like the real estate prices or not, Toronto is considered the 13th best place to invest in 2017, by MoneySense2. In the 2016 list of best places to retire across Canada, the GTA was 3rd overall1.
Read reviews of adult lifestyle communities in Ontario, and find the best retirement community for you!
6. Bragg Creek, Alberta
Bragg Creek is a small town 30 kilometers west of Calgary. It is known for its charming shops, parks, and restaurants. Bragg Creek’s retirees especially appreciate the calming effect of the surrounding Rocky Mountains. If you are artistic, you will love all of the scenery that you could capture in your work. Calgary is listed by MoneySense as Canada's 27th best place to invest in 20172.
Check out Calgary's best retirement homes.
7. White Rock, British Columbia
White Rock is a scenic seaside community which contains eight kilometers of sandy beaches and the glorious waters of Semiahmoo Bay. You will have plenty of opportunities to walk along its 1500 ft. long pier, as White Rock receives the lowest rainfall in the Greater Vancouver Area. And, its average summer temperature is a very comfortable 23 degrees Celsius. Like Bragg Creek, White Rock is a great option for artistic seniors. Although neither White Rock nor Surrey make the list on their own, Vancouver is considered the 8th best place to invest in Canada, in 20172.
Find Surrey's best retirement homes, with lots more local information. Read our reviews of Vancouver retirement homes.
Before you pick any town or city to live in, you're going to take into account your own needs; many people will focus on where their family is. But aside from that, you need to think ahead to other concerns as you get older, notably the availability of good health care in the city or town, notably things like home care services available. Finally, look at development in the area, and think ahead to how the real estate market in the area will look for the next few years, even decades.
-- some 2017 updates by Jim Huinink
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Sources:
1moneysense.ca/../canadas-best-places-to-retire-2016/
2moneysense.ca/../top-cities-canadian-real-estate-2017/
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Below are active living communities across the country. In our estimation, these really are Canada’s premiere retirement destinations.
