Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interview
    • Expat News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Plan B
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomad
    • Healthcare
  • 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
  • Subscribe
Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interview
    • Expat News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Plan B
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomad
    • Healthcare
  • 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
  • Subscribe
👤

THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE FOR BUILDING A LIFE ABROAD

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

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
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!

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

If you'd like to read the full story, simply enter your email to subscribe to our newsletter.

For even more expert insights, unmissable resources, and exclusive invites, explore our premium subscription offers here.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.


OR

Subscribe Now

Already a Subscriber? Click here to login

Subscription required

You've reached your limit of free articles. For full access to Escape Artist, and all of our insights on travel, moving abroad, and the digital nomad life, click here to Subscribe.

Already a Subscriber? Log in here

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
Aerial view of a roadway and bridge cutting through bright waterways and tree-lined islands at sunset in the Netherlands
View Post
  • Plan B
Ready to Leave the US? These Countries Might Trump the American Dream
  • BY Emily Draper
  • April 20, 2026
Aerial view of a coastal Portuguese city with hotels, residential buildings, mountains, and the Atlantic shoreline stretching into the distance
View Post
  • Golden Visa
Exploring Currency Considerations for Portugal’s Golden Visa
  • BY Iva Slavtcheva
  • April 15, 2026
Evening street scene in Dubai with illuminated digital billboards, pedestrians, and modern skyscrapers rising in the background
View Post
  • Plan B
Geopolitical Risk and the Shift Beyond the Gulf
  • BY Luigi Wewege
  • April 8, 2026
Two passports including a blue Cuban passport and a Canadian passport held together, representing international travel and dual citizenship documentation
View Post
  • Second Residency
The Ancestral Hedge for a Second Passport
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • April 8, 2026
Happy asian family that enjoys beach activities during the summer holidays. parent and children enjoy the sunset sea on beach.Holiday travel concept, Summer vacations.
View Post
  • Relocation
Why Families Are No Longer Raising Children in One Place
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • April 3, 2026
Senior couple enjoy sea water
View Post
  • Plan B
Retirement Abroad and the New Cost of Living
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • April 1, 2026
Satellite view of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital urban layout in desert
View Post
  • Real Estate
Egypt Is Building an Ultra-Modern Capital Outside Cairo: Will It Work?
  • BY Ethan Rooney
  • March 30, 2026
Overlooking modern red three-dimensional buildings and flying planes, taken in the Library Park of Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China
View Post
  • Second Residency
How to Leave a Country Without Losing Your Wealth
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • March 25, 2026
Trending Posts
  • Sunlit view of Valencia, Spain, featuring ornate historic buildings along a palm-lined street, with pedestrians and light traffic under a clear blue sky. 1
    • Spain
    Why Valencia Is on Everyone’s Radar
    • April 7, 2026
  • Aerial view of a roadway and bridge cutting through bright waterways and tree-lined islands at sunset in the Netherlands 2
    • Plan B
    Ready to Leave the US? These Countries Might Trump the American Dream
    • April 20, 2026
  • Evening street scene in Dubai with illuminated digital billboards, pedestrians, and modern skyscrapers rising in the background 3
    • Plan B
    Geopolitical Risk and the Shift Beyond the Gulf
    • April 8, 2026
  • Woman walking down a narrow street in Havana lined with weathered pastel buildings beneath a bright blue sky 4
    • Cuba
    The Reality Behind Cuba’s Romance
    • April 13, 2026
  • Woman walking barefoot along a beach in the Philippines with boats, waterfront buildings, and lush limestone hills in the background 5
    • Digital Nomad
    A Digital Nomad’s Complete Guide to the Philippines
    • April 10, 2026
Subscribe
Know Before You Go
  • Aerial view of a roadway and bridge cutting through bright waterways and tree-lined islands at sunset in the Netherlands 1
    • Plan B
    Ready to Leave the US? These Countries Might Trump the American Dream
    • April 20, 2026
  • Two people sitting on a beach at sunset with waves rolling in and rocky coastline silhouetted against the golden sky 2
    • Costa Rica
    Why Some Expats Leave Costa Rica (and Others Stay Forever)
    • April 17, 2026
  • Woman walking barefoot along a beach in the Philippines with boats, waterfront buildings, and lush limestone hills in the background 3
    • Digital Nomad
    A Digital Nomad’s Complete Guide to the Philippines
    • April 10, 2026
  • Sunlit view of Valencia, Spain, featuring ornate historic buildings along a palm-lined street, with pedestrians and light traffic under a clear blue sky. 4
    • Spain
    Why Valencia Is on Everyone’s Radar
    • April 7, 2026
  • Satellite view of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital urban layout in desert 5
    • Real Estate
    Egypt Is Building an Ultra-Modern Capital Outside Cairo: Will It Work?
    • March 30, 2026
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
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.

Escape Artist

The Newsletter for a
Life Beyond Borders

Practical insights and real stories for those building a life abroad, trusted by 75,000 readers worldwide.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Before you go, want $50 off your Summit registration?

Subscribe, and get $50 discount code for Plan B Summit registration.

Download Your Free Guide

Fill out the form below to get instant access to your guide + receive a $50 discount code for Plan B Summit 2026!

Download Your Free Guide

Fill out the form below to get instant access to your guide + receive a $50 discount code for Plan B Summit 2026!

Download Your Free Guide

Fill out the form below to get instant access to your guide + receive a $50 discount code for Plan B Summit 2026!

Newsletter Subscription