“Ontario’s historic small-town communities may be the retirees’ best-kept secret to the good life at a fraction of the cost,” wrote Zoomer Magazine in a recent issue. They suggest that while Vancouver Island and the B.C. interior are considered “retirement havens”, people who want true value and enjoyment of their retirement years should look to small-town Ontario.

B.C. residents Louise and Dennis Keller were considering the Okanagan Valley for their retirement, but soon discovered the cost would leave them short of disposable funds for the things they wanted to do once they retired. So instead, they sold their condo and moved to a lakeside small town in Ontario. With what they got for their house sale, they were able to purchase a home and have funds left over to enjoy their retirement. “Out here, we can afford to join the golf club and enjoy all the things we like to do,” Zoomer quotes Louise as saying. “We’re not house-poor. The beaches here are beautiful, and Ontario has many wonderful historic sites.”

The article also sings the praises of condominium living in 50-plus active living communities. “‘I feel like I’m on vacation, and I really like it,’ says [Rick McHale] about the rural setting, friendly neighbours and low maintenance,” the magazine wrote.