10 Best Places to Retire in Canada

You want to make the most of your golden years and where you choose to live when you retire is one of the most important decisions. Many opt to move to warmer locales in Florida and Arizona, but there’s plenty of towns to live in retirement in Canada that will provide a high quality of life. Retiring in Canada can actually be quite affordable, and despite the winter, our summers aren’t half bad. To help you make the best decision when you reach your best chapter, here are the 10 best places to retire in Canada.

10. Canmore, Alberta

Canmore had to be included on the list because of the beautiful mountain scenery provided by nearby Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay. The town is also close to several national parks and has a climate that is milder than the rest of Alberta thanks to its proximity to the east side of the Rocky Mountains.

9. Vernon, B.C.

Vernon sits in B.C.’s interior where there’s much less rainfall than along the Pacific coast. With a relatively mild climate year-round and 249 days above 0 ºC, Vernon is an ideal town to retire. Homes in Vernon are also relatively cheap with an agreeable property tax rate of 2.81 percent.

8. Boucherville, Quebec

Located across the St. Lawrence River from Montreal, this cozy suburb provides all the comforts of a small town with the perks of a big city just 30 minutes away. Boucherville has plenty of large properties and has several golf courses with a low crime rate, thanks in part to having one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada.

7. Saanich, B.C.

Saanich is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and has a mild, but somewhat rainy climate due to the effects of the North Pacific’s ocean current. However, this also means the temperature rarely drops below 0 ºC. Saanich has great health care services with 3.1 doctors per 1,000 residents and a stellar 2.71 percent property tax.

6. Quebec City, Quebec

If you speak French, Quebec City is for you. Immerse yourself in Canada’s oldest city where the retirement-age population is just under the national average. It’s also one of Canada’s cheapest and safest cities.

5. Niagara-on-the-Lake

Nestled on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, Niagara-on-Lake offers fine wine, plenty of sunshine and historic sites. The town also has several galleries, restaurants, and festivals to enjoy year-round.

4. Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawans have the highest quality of life in the country and it’s easy to see why. Not only are you surrounded by historic buildings, including Parliament and the Chateau Laurier, but also breathtaking natural beauty thanks to the adjacent Ottawa River. This why Ottawans like to get out and about whether it be paddling down the river or taking bike rides in the city’s many parks.

3. St. Albert, Alberta

St. Albert was voted the 4^th best place to live in Canada last year because of its low crime rate, great health care, and close proximity to Edmonton.

2. Kingston, Ontario

Kingston has stellar health care thanks to a high ratio of physicians-to-residents. Plus, you have the 1,000 Islands nearby that provide an idyllic scenery on an afternoon spent fishing.

1. Moncton, New Brunswick

Moncton has more sunny days than most Canadian cities and its relatively small size makes it easy to make friends with the locals. In Moncton, you will also have easy access to a wide range of amenities, cafes, green space, and excellent health care facilities.

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