The Best Places to Retire in the Country

You don’t have to hop on a plane to find an amazing place to retire. You can find some beautiful retirement spots sitting right in your backyard. Take a look at the best places to retire in the country.

Ottawa:

Wouldn’t you like to spend your golden years in the country’s capital?

Ottawa manages to have the culture and convenience of city-life without feeling too crowded or hectic. It still has so much old-school charm with its magnificent government buildings, universities and historical monuments.

And nature-lovers will love being so close to natural wonders like the Rideau Canal, Rideau Falls, Hog’s Back Falls and a long list of provincial parks and conservation areas. In the summer, you can go cycling or strawberry picking, and in the winter, you can grab a beaver tail for a quick snack and then go skating on the frozen canal.

Ottawa also has some incredible perks that you might not have considered right away — but would sorely miss if you’d forgotten them. It has lots of hospitals and healthcare centres. It also has plenty of seniors residences with spacious apartments and exceptional care services, including options for assisted living and memory care. A senior home will give you more than a comfortable place to retire. It will give you a thriving senior community to connect with, too.

Kingston:

Much like Ottawa, Kingston, Ontario, is a city that has some of the great perks of small-town life. It has quaint, safe neighbourhoods. The housing is affordable. The general hospital is well-known for providing excellent medical care.

While Kingston is a comfortable spot, it’s nowhere close to boring. There are plenty of parks and conservation areas that you can explore when you want to go outside and get some fresh air. In the summer months, you can go to the waterfront and take in the gorgeous view. You could even explore the shimmering waters by ferry or boat cruise. Take a look at the best things to do in Kingston to see what activities will spark your interest for a weekend — or turn into your new favourite hobby during retirement.

Victoria:

Victoria, British Columbia, is a very popular spot with retirees because it offers a great quality of life, and it has fantastic weather all year round. The city enjoys the mildest climate in the entire country. It’s also listed as one of the sunniest cities in the country — it sports an average of 305 sunny days per year.

So, if you’re not a fan of frigid winters and piles of snow, then maybe you should pack up your bags and consider moving all the way over to this little slice of paradise. You could throw out your parka and vow to never wear it again. You can swap out the heavy winter-gear for something more lightweight and try out the area’s best outdoor activities, like hiking, kayaking and cycling.

If you’re wondering where you’re going to spend the rest of your golden years, take a look at these three options. One of them could be the right pick for your new home.