Top 20 Best Places to Retire in Canada

You don’t have to pack up your entire life and move to Mexico to enjoy a quality retirement. Right here in Canada, you’ll find plenty of places with great weather, access to good healthcare, fun things to do and that are affordable enough so you can make your nest egg go further. Here are our Top 20 Canadian retirement spots:

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1. Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria has long been a favourite with retirees and for good reason: the mild climate, many opportunities for outdoor activities and well-developed infrastructure ensure a great quality of life.

Related: 20 inexpensive trips to take from Canada right now. You may also want to consider the cheapest cities to live in Canada.

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2. Kelowna, British Columbia

Summers in Kelowna are hot and dry while winters are mild compared to most of Canada. Add to this the excellent healthcare and the natural beauty and wineries of the Okanagan Valley and you have just the place for retiring in style. It also appears on the top 20 cheapest cities to live in Canada.

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3. Vernon, British Columbia

With its mild and relatively dry climate, plenty of golf courses and its location in the Okanagan region, Vernon is a popular choice for retirees. The city also has good healthcare facilities and while property taxes are high, property prices are affordable in case you don't retire a millionaire.

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4. Comox, British Columbia

Located on the east coast of Vancouver Island and with year-round temperate weather, Comox is fast becoming a retirement alternative to Victoria. Golfing and fishing are some of the activities that can keep you busy in your golden years.

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5. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s retired population is growing fast, with senior citizens being drawn by the town’s mild climate; many restaurants, galleries and historic sites; festivals and its location in the heart of Ontario’s wine country.

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6. Toronto, Ontario

Toronto may not be the cheapest place to live but property taxes here are among the lowest for Canadian cities. You’ll also be spoilt for choice when it comes to healthcare facilities and things to do.

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7. Kingston, Ontario

Even though Kingston’s climate is cooler than most places in Southern Ontario, the healthcare industry is a major employer here and the city boasts a high ratio of physicians. This may be one of the reasons that Kingston has a higher percentage of retirement-age residents than the Canadian average.

You might also like: 15 retirement tax tips that'll save your nest egg.

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8. Stratford, Ontario

Beautiful Stratford can make for a peaceful retirement where you can spend your days strolling along the river and enjoying the many green spaces. Things liven up considerably in midsummer during the Stratford Festival, when some of the world’s most renowned actors perform in Shakespeare’s plays.

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9. Collingwood, Ontario

Collingwood is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and offers a high quality of life. Healthcare is easily accessible here too.

See more: Canada's best cheap (or free!) attractions from coast to coast.

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10. Port Credit, Ontario

Even though Port Credit now forms part of Mississauga, it still retains its village atmosphere. The lakeside neighbourhood has relatively low property taxes and it’s easy to access Mississauga’s healthcare facilities from here.

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11. Ottawa

Our capital may not have the balmiest of climates but it’s perfect if you want to live out your retirement years in a vibrant, diverse location. The health sector is a major employer here, with several large hospitals within the city, and Ottawans enjoy the highest quality of life in Canada.

More galleries you might like: the best perks Canadian companies offer.

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12. Burlington, Ontario

Burlington has a significantly higher percentage of retirement-age residents that the Canadian average. The city’s proximity to Lake Ontario means that winters are more moderate than elsewhere in Southern Ontario and there is plenty of ways to enjoy an active, fulfilling retirement.

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13. Oakville, Ontario

Oakville enjoys warm summers and while winters are cold, they’re not extreme. The lakeside town is actually a suburb of Toronto, so you’ll have easy access to all the amenities the big city has to offer while still enjoying a sense of community.

Not wanting to stay within the country? Here are the top 20 places for Canadians to retire around the world.

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14. Moncton, New Brunswick

Days in Moncton are generally sunny, even in winter and the city’s smaller size means that you’ll have easy access to a wide range of amenities. It also has some of the country’s best healthcare facilities for a regional city.

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15. Rimouski, Quebec

Winters in Rimouski are cold but summers are pleasant. This predominantly French-speaking city is renowned for its active cultural life which caters especially to music lovers and the large regional hospital here means that good healthcare is easily accessible.

See more: 10 great places where you can retire for under $2,000 a month.

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16. Joliette, Quebec

Even though the weather in Joliette is less than perfect, the surrounding countryside offers fantastic fishing, hiking and other outdoor activities. This French-speaking city has several good healthcare facilities and it’s only 50 km from the amenities of Montreal.

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17. Quebec City, Quebec

Gorgeous Quebec City’s retirement-age population is just below the national average but it’s a great city for seniors, especially if you speak French. It’s one of Canada’s cheapest and safest cities to live in and offers all the amenities you might need.

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18. Cochrane, Alberta

Cochrane is one of Canada’s fastest growing towns and while it’s only 18 km from Calgary, it still retains the feel of a small Western community. It’s a haven for active, adventurous types and doesn’t have any business tax.

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19. Canmore, Alberta

Its proximity to several national parks, including Banff, Yoho and Kootenay makes Canmore the ideal place to retire if you love wildlife. The climate here is milder than in most of Alberta and a host of annual events means that you’ll never be bored.

Related: top 20 places to retire if you hate the cold.

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20. Estevan, Saskatchewan

Estevan is Canada’s sunniest city year round, even if winters here are cold and snowy. The town has a strong community feel and activities like art workshops will keep you busy.