Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interview
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Plan B
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Events
    • Shop
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • United Kingdom
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
      • Middle East
      • Rest of the World
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
    • Digital Nomadism
  • Subscribe
Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interview
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Plan B
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Events
    • Shop
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • United Kingdom
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
      • Middle East
      • Rest of the World
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
    • Digital Nomadism
  • Subscribe
👤

THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE FOR EXPATS, DIGITAL NOMADS, AND DREAMERS.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Your Plan B

Retiring in Ontario? Consider Life in a Smaller Community

  • BY EA Editors
  • November 9, 2013
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Retiring in Ontario? Consider Life in a Smaller Community

When it comes time for you to retire and to begin enjoying this new chapter in your life, you may want to consider moving to a smaller community. If you are not particularly attached to the hustle and bustle of the big city, relocating to a small town or even a rural community can come with a lot of benefits. Ontario has many small towns such as Owen Sound, Peterborough, and Collingwood shown in the photo above. Although these towns are smaller, they thriving economies, plenty of culture to soak in and access to a wide variety of different leisure activities.

First, let’s examine practical reasons why this move would make sense. It is much more economical as the cost of living in such communities is lower. The price of a nice condominium, a bungalow or even a house will be a fraction of a similar property in the big city. This means that your life savings can be stretched out for a longer time and allow you to live in greater comfort and even luxury. Many of these smaller towns are constantly in development which means that there are also opportunities for great investments as new residential developments and new small businesses are always coming into play.

Many people choose to relocate to smaller communities in order to get in touch with nature. Being retired provides a lot of time for contemplation, self-discovery and personal growth and many people feel inspired most when they are out in nature. In fact, many city dwellers will take vacations in these same communities for the sole purpose of letting go of the hectic pace of city life and finding true peace of mind in the outdoors. This is also a boon for the locals who benefit from the increased tourism.

Take Owen Sound, for example. It has recently been named as one of the best cities in Canada to retire in. Sitting directly on beautiful Georgian Bay with its 30,000 islands, Owen Sound also has the Bruce Trail passing through town leading the way to the beautiful scenery of the Niagara Escarpment. And for those who occasionally miss the excitement of the big city, Toronto is only a few hours’ drive away.

Retirement often means slowing down a little and enjoying things at your own pace. But free time does not mean idle time. These communities offer you plenty of activities to relax, socialize and learn – walking the trails, fishing, gardening, photography, painting, local theatre, or church communities for all faiths. Living close to in nature presents you with a lot of hobbies which keep you healthy, as well, and you will find inspiration all around you if you are artistically inclined. All of this is enhanced by the great feeling of community you can only find in small towns. It might sound like a cliché, but it will be nice to live somewhere where everyone says “hi” to each other, they help each other out and are always ready to have a conversation.

Retiring in Ontario? Consider Life in a Smaller Community

Contact Author

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.

Stay Ahead on Every Adventure! 

Stay updated with the World News on Escape Artist. Get all the travel news, international destinations, expat living, moving abroad, Lifestyle Tips, and digital nomad opportunities. Your next journey starts here—don’t miss a moment! Subscribe Now!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Previous Article
  • Your Plan B

Weekend Escapes in Ontario

  • BY EA Editors
  • November 9, 2013
View Post
Next Article
  • North America

Canada

  • BY EA Editors
  • November 9, 2013
View Post
You May Also Like
White Mediterranean-style building with green arched door and potted cactus plants, representing the lifestyle and independence offered by global property ownership
View Post
  • Plan B
Global Property as a Pathway to Long-Term Independence
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • December 24, 2025
The New Framework for Building a Second Legal Home
View Post
  • Plan B
The New Framework for Building a Second Legal Home
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • December 17, 2025
Aerial view of Montenegro's Adriatic harbor with yacht marina and mountain backdrop, representing Montenegro's appeal as a small country expat destination with European optionality
View Post
  • Plan B
The Rise of Smaller Countries as Expat Hotspots
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • December 15, 2025
Your 2025-2026 Guide to Which Countries Offer Retirement Visas
View Post
  • Plan B
Your 2025-2026 Guide to Which Countries Offer Retirement Visas
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • December 10, 2025
For many, the first step toward a more sustainable financial life begins with a willingness to see what lies beyond the familiar.
View Post
  • Plan B
The Financial Case for Building a Life Abroad
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • December 10, 2025
Costa Rica Homes for Rent: Best Areas, Prices, and Tips for Expats
View Post
  • Costa Rica
Costa Rica Homes for Rent: Best Areas, Prices, and Tips for Expats
  • BY Carla Rodrigues
  • December 9, 2025
By moving out of London, Londoners seeking calmer, more affordable lifestyles
View Post
  • United Kingdom
The Mass Migration Out of London
  • BY Emily Draper
  • December 8, 2025
Belize Offshore Banking
View Post
  • Belize
Belize’s Offshore Banking Advantage
  • BY Luigi Wewege
  • December 2, 2025
Trending Posts
  • Tsodilo Hills Botswana 1
    • Africa
    Helicoptering to Botswana’s Sacred Hills
    • December 22, 2025
  • Aerial view of Montenegro's Adriatic harbor with yacht marina and mountain backdrop, representing Montenegro's appeal as a small country expat destination with European optionality 2
    • Plan B
    The Rise of Smaller Countries as Expat Hotspots
    • December 15, 2025
  • The New Framework for Building a Second Legal Home 3
    • Plan B
    The New Framework for Building a Second Legal Home
    • December 17, 2025
  • Families and children playing soccer and enjoying beach activities together in Costa Rica, demonstrating community bonding and social connection 4
    • Costa Rica
    Building Community in Costa Rica
    • December 19, 2025
  • Is Panama Right for You? A Guide to Expat Life, Costs and Everyday Comforts 5
    • Panama
    Is Panama Right for You? A Guide to Expat Life, Costs and Everyday Comforts
    • December 15, 2025
Subscribe
Know Before You Go
  • Families and children playing soccer and enjoying beach activities together in Costa Rica, demonstrating community bonding and social connection 1
    • Costa Rica
    Building Community in Costa Rica
    • December 19, 2025
  • Is Panama Right for You? A Guide to Expat Life, Costs and Everyday Comforts 2
    • Panama
    Is Panama Right for You? A Guide to Expat Life, Costs and Everyday Comforts
    • December 15, 2025
  • Kurdish women in traditional dress at community gathering in the Kurdistan Region, representing the vibrant cultural life and social fabric of Kurdish society 3
    • Field Notes
    Beyond Conflict. The Story of Kurdish Iraq
    • December 12, 2025
  • Costa Rica Homes for Rent: Best Areas, Prices, and Tips for Expats 4
    • Costa Rica
    Costa Rica Homes for Rent: Best Areas, Prices, and Tips for Expats
    • December 9, 2025
  • Tuvalu: A Disappearing Country in the middle of the Pacific 5
    • Asia-Pacific
    Tuvalu: The Island Uploading Itself to the Metaverse
    • November 28, 2025
Learn More
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
Why Subscribe

The newly imagined Escape Artist brings you fresh content with a global focus, and sharp, up-to-the-minute coverage of the joys, challenges, and opportunities of life abroad.

For a limited time, we’re offering a special discount on all subscription deals, so be sure to lock-in these incredible savings and start receiving top-notch travel and expat content today!

Sign up for the EA Newsletter

Get important news delivered directly to your inbox and stay connected!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Escape Artist
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimer

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Newsletter Subscription