Imagine if you could take the best aspects of the urban, rural and waterfront life and combine it all into one small (but growing) city.
We have just described Peterborough, and if you’re thinking it might be an excellent place to retire, you’d be right.
Why Peterborough is Perfect for Retirees
Affordability
Many families and professionals are flocking to Toronto for its exciting city life. Others are off to the country in search of large, rural houses. If you own a home in either place, it might be time to consider selling to retire in Peterborough. Financially, it makes sense.
The price of real estate has skyrocketed, especially in the GTA. The average price of a house in Toronto stands at $ 1.3 million. In Peterborough, the median house price is $749,799. If you bought a house even a few years ago, you could likely sell for a significant profit, which leaves you with many options.
You could buy a smaller house in Peterborough, have a garden and a backyard and still have money left over to fund your retirement. If you want a maintenance-free lifestyle, it’s not unheard of to find a condo listing for less than $400,000.
What is it about Peterborough that attracts people of all ages? Here are a few ideas:
- We Can’t Wait To See These 5 New Peterborough Developments
- Relocating To Peterborough: A Case Study
- Here Are The Lakes Near Peterborough You Have To Visit!
High quality of living
If you decide to retire in Peterborough, you won’t have to worry about missing out on any of the fun things you love about Toronto. The downtown core is teeming with breathtaking, historical architecture that you can explore for hours.
You’ll find everything from gourmet sweet shops and one-of-a-kind cafes to yoga lessons and dance studios.
Love live theatre? Peterborough is home to several small venues and small productions. Imagine going out for a stroll, enjoying a light lunch and taking in a live play. What better way to spend a sunny afternoon!
Enjoy an active lifestyle
Sports and athletics have no age limit in this city. There are senior hockey leagues, lacrosse teams and frisbee clubs. Golf enthusiasts love it here, as Peterborough is home to more than a dozen golf courses.
When you want to walk, jog or ride your bike, there are over 300 km of hiking trails to explore, including the Trans Canada Trail.
If the travel bug ever bites, the Pearson International Airport is a mere hour and a half away.
There’s never a dull moment, but you’ll find lots of peace and serenity when you want it. Feel free to grab a book and relax by the lake at Jackson Park, or any of the more than 100 parks in the city.
These are just a few of the fun things Peterborough has in store for you. Read on for more activities to enjoy year-round:
- Fun Things to Do in Peterborough this Fall
- Five Fun Things to Do in Peterborough Right Now
- Fun Holiday Activities in Peterborough This Year
When it comes to healthcare and accessibility, Peterborough has some of the finest amenities to offer, especially to retirees.
Accessibility and Healthcare
While many municipalities are finally getting on board with making things more accessible, Peterborough is years ahead of the curve. A generous plan to enhance services and infrastructure is already in the works. In 2018, the city implemented a massive accessibility plan committed to upgrading public transit, sidewalks and hiking trails to make them safer and more accessible for all residents.
Peterborough has some of the best medical care in the province. The state of the art Peterborough Regional Health Centre has several clinics dedicated to services for seniors.
Seniors Only Recreation
Although you’re free to join the fun at any of Peterborough’s many recreational centers, there are three facilities devoted only to seniors.
Activity Haven Centre offers drop-in programs like table tennis, darts and billiards. There are frequent guitar workshops and jam sessions for those with a musical flair! Be sure to clear out your calendar and get ready to socialize during the many Bingo games and wellness workshops.
Maple Ridge Recreation is for people 50 and over, where you can drop in and enjoy ham dinners or shuffleboard games. Other activities for members include line dancing, Tai Chi and Pickleball.
McDonnel Street Activity Centre is a non-profit facility run entirely by volunteers. The banquet center can accommodate up to 120 diners and is available for birthday parties, anniversaries and other celebrations. McDonnel’s is also the home of the Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club and Whitlaw Mariners Seniors Club.
With the highest population of people over 65, Peterborough is sparing no effort to make it a safe and vibrant place to enjoy your retirement years. To get an idea of what housing is available, you can see our current listings here.
