By 2030, over 20 per cent of Canada’s population will be aged 65 and older, prompting many to think about where to settle down for retirement.
Feb 25, 2026 • Last updated Feb 25, 2026 •
Are you starting to think about retirement and where you’ll live once you leave the workforce? Photo by illustration: Rob Cross/ Ottawa /FILE
A recent report has identified two local communities as part of the Top 10 places to retire in Canada.
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Simcoe and Tillsonburg took fifth and sixth place respectively in the analysis conducted by real estate marketplace Zolo.
By the year 2030, more than a fifth of Canada’s population will be over the age of 65 and may be considering their retirement living options.
“Home prices should be just one of many factors Canadians consider when choosing a place to retire,” said Jennifer Neilson of Zolo Ventures Ltd. in an email. “Other aspects like crime rates, availability of primary care providers, and even sunshine levels should also be on the list since they can really impact a community.”
The study evaluated various cities across Canada to find ideal retirement locations that balance affordability with quality of life. It looked at factors such as walkability, green spaces, healthcare access, along with cost of living and home prices.
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“Smaller Ontario towns make excellent retirement destinations because they tend to be safer and more affordable than larger cities while providing a laid-back lifestyle,” said Neilson in a zolo. ca blog.
The study rated each of the 38 cities based on eight weighted criteria: age demographics (percentage of residents aged over 65), healthcare accessibility, cost of living, housing prices, crime statistics, walkability score, average sunny days annually, and average freezing days at or below zero degrees Celsius.
The results are: Saint John, New Brunswick Moncton Fredericton Kingston and area Simcoe Tillsonburg Cobourg (Northumberland Hills) Quinte and District Peterborough and the Kawarthas Sudbury
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This has not loaded yet, In this context, it is essential“` While areas in New Brunswick lead the pack due to their cost-of-living being around 15-17% lower than national averages alongside low home prices, “smaller towns like Tillsonburg, Cobourg, and Peterborough surpassed major urban centers, providing an appealing mix of affordability and a higher percentage of senior residents, which often means specialized amenities for seniors,” noted the report. Simcoe offers a cost-of-living that is roughly eight percent lower than the national average, with an average benchmark home price sitting at $565,800, plus nearly twenty percent of its residents are over sixty-five according to findings from this research. The report highlights recreational opportunities available in Simcoe as well as nearby beaches located at Port Dover and Turkey Point.
Tillsonburg’s cost-of-living sits approximately ten percent below the national average, with an average benchmark home price reported at $578, 300, while almost thirty percent of its inhabitants are over sixty-five years old. “The demographic profile shows close to one-third of residents above sixty-five, which creates plenty of chances for meeting new people who share similar interests,” stated the report. Hickory Hills and Baldwin Place are recognized as two established communities for those aged fifty-five plus within Tillsonburg. “It’s projected that population growth will reach twenty-four point six percent by two thousand thirty-five as more folks choose Tillsonburg for their new residence,” revealed this study. At number one, Saint John boasts a cost-of-living sixteen percent lower than what’s typical nationally with a benchmark home price averaging $341,100. Here, twenty-point-six percent of locals fall into that senior category. During Tuesday’s council meeting, Norfolk County Coun. Mike Columbus highlighted Simcoe’s recent ranking as “one of Canada’s Top Ten places to live.” “Yes, specifically focused on retirement communities,” remarked Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin. “I thought it’d also be nice if it was listed among the top ten spots for working people.” At that same meeting, Norfolk Coun. Chris Van Paassen celebrated another achievement for the county stating that Ontario Out Of Doors magazine recently recognized Port Rowan as Ontario’s best fishing town.
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