The other day, we met with a Meaford resident you may know of if you keep up on real estate in Ontario. Roberta Avery writes about real estate (and other topics) for the Toronto Star, among other publications, and she was interested in meeting with Meaford Haven developer Pierre Boiron to learn more about all that Meaford Haven has to offer in an active retirement community.

(Roberta and her husband, John, also own the Irish Mountain Bed and Breakfast, a beautiful place to get away from it all, commanding the best view of the sweep of Nottawasaga Bay.)

Over coffee on the deck at McGinty’s we looked out across the deep blue of Georgian Bay as white sails filled in the refreshing summer breeze, and discussed the concept of a Three Seasons Retirement Community, the opportunity for residents to help develop the concept by participating in virtual focus groups, and some of the ideas that have been proposed in terms of community gardens, a community business club, clubhouse amenities, and more.

During our conversation, Roberta happened to mention something about Meaford’s history. “Many of the old red brick houses in Meaford were built by farmers who retired to town,” she explained. So Meaford has been seen as a desireable retirement community for more than a hundred years!

When we first arrived here, Meaford was still known as the Golden Town, which I think was intended to reflect autumn and the apple harvest, but was occasionally used as a cheeky reference to its ability to attract those in their “golden years”.

Fact is, with its quiet, almost nostalgic, small-town ambience, its beautiful scenery, its year-round activities, and its high quality health care, Meaford is a perfect place to make your retirement home.