8 Safest Towns In Ontario For Senior Living
Ontario offers many towns of various sizes with low crime rates, a strong sense of community, and a variety of activity options for seniors. Ontario also provides various government programs to assist seniors who qualify, including the GAINS program and reduced fees for drugs and medical supplies. The following 8 Ontario towns offer a wide range of senior programs, lower crime rates, cultural events, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Owen Sound
Owen Sound made the list as a top Ontario retirement destination by the Canadian Association of Retired Persons. Owen Sound has a low crime rate and sits near several natural waterfalls on public lands, including Inglis Falls Conversation Area, Jones Falls, and the Indian Falls Conservation Area. Owen Sound is also known for its annual calendar of cultural events, such as the Summerfolk Music Festival, which is held during the third week of August. The Northern Lights Festival runs from mid-November to early January for a festive holiday season.
The city offers a full range of senior programs like the Active Lifestyles Senior Centre, Harrison Park Senior Centre, and the YMCA of Owen Sound. Senior groups like the Roselawn Bowling Club also exist. Find community events, activities, classes, and exercise options easily in Owen Sound. The average single home price in February 2025 is $590,000. The city offers a variety of senior housing options, from retirement communities to long-term care facilities. Healthcare services are available locally at the Owen Sound Hospital.
Stratford
Stratford sits on the Avon River in southwest Ontario. Stratford is well known for its ongoing Shakespearean Festival, which is held annually across town in multiple theatres. Stratford鈥檚 location makes it a popular retirement destination with lower property taxes, access to local healthcare, and a temperate climate. Seniors will find plenty of outdoor areas to walk, including public parks and gardens. The Gallery Stratford offers an ever-changing display of Canadian Art, or attend a show at the Avon Theatre.
Stratford has a strong senior community with access to open art workshops and classes year-round. Classes include Pour with Ellie Painting, Bonbon Making for Chocolate Lovers, Hand Building Class, and a Potters Wheel Workshop. Seniors will find recreation centers available at the Stratford Agriplex. The average home price is high in February 2025 at $650,000. The city also offers several retirement home options and independent retirement communities.
Elliot Lake
Elliot Lake is a smaller city located in northern Ontario. For water-loving seniors, Elliot Lake is the perfect retirement destination. Elliot Lake features public beaches, hiking and biking trails for the warmer months, as well as skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. Elliott Lake is also home to the Sheriff Creek Wildlife Sanctuary. Seniors can hike the trails and catch a glimpse of various birds, including mergansers, sandhill cranes, sparrows, flycatchers, eagles, and Caspian terns, amongst others. Other wildlife hikers can encounter are frogs, wolves, moose, beavers, hares, and painted turtles.
Seniors can also enjoy several public parks like the Mississagi Provincial Park or the Miner鈥檚 Memorial Park. The city offers a full-service senior center with recreational and leisure events. The center also hosts community meals and other social activity options. Local healthcare options include St. Joseph鈥檚 General Hospital and the Elliot Family Health Center. The median home price in February 2025 is $353,000. Elliot Lake has several senior living communities like Elliot Lake Retirement, which offers a variety of living options.
Peterborough
Peterborough is known as a safe haven for retirees in Ontario. The crime rate is low for the city鈥檚 size, and there鈥檚 optimal access to quality healthcare and a comprehensive public transportation system. Peterborough is located on the Otonabee River and sits northeast of Toronto.
Peterborough offers a selection of recreation centers with senior programs, including Activity Haven, Mapleridge, and the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre. Seniors will find a full-size public library with senior programs. There are also plenty of options for taking classes, exercising, or simply hanging out and enjoying a community meal. Seniors can also walk the trails in nearby public parks like Beavermead or visit the Riverview Park & Zoo. Local museums include the Canadian Canoe Museum and the Peterborough Museum.
The median home price runs high in February 2025 at $620,00. Options exist for seniors looking for apartment communities and retirement homes, including Sherbrooke Heights and Summit Terrace Senior Apartments.
Picton
Picton is one of the least expensive cities for retirement within Ontario. The city sits on the northern shoreline of Lake Ontario near the Bay of Quinte. Picton offers seniors an active community with numerous events including March Maple Madness, pottery and art classes, food-based fund raisers. Check out the upcoming SOS - The Abba Experience at The Regent Theatre on April 12th, 2025.
Seniors who enjoy beaches and water activities have access to Lake Ontario. Retirees can enjoy the Sandbanks Dunes Beach or Outlet Beach, which has miles of public shoreline. Bring a picnic and enjoy the water and scenery. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of several walking and biking trails around Picton including the Millennium Trail for a longer experience or the Woodlands Trail for a moderate walk. For an easy 1.3 mile trail, try the Cedar Sands Trail from Sandbanks Provincial Park.
Picton offers several private healthcare centers, and the Prince Edward County Hospital. The median home price in Picton in February 2025 is $688,000. For other senior housing options, consider one of several retirement communities like the Wellings of Picton retirement community.
Niagara Falls
Would there be a better place to retire than the natural beauty of Niagara Falls? Retirees could visit the falls or hike along the White Water Walk or other nearby trails. Niagara Falls also has the Bird Kingdom, which is the largest free-flying indoor aviary in the 海角社区. Seniors can enjoy bird watching without the long hike. The city offers 60+ senior programs, including recreational and social community options. Seniors can find local volunteering opportunities at Cyber-Seniors. Exercise and enjoy the community of other seniors at the MacBain Community Centre.
Niagara also supports more than ten local golf courses, offering a variety of scenery, difficulty, and terrain. Head to the Whirlpool Golf Course or try the Eagle Valley Golf Course. Hikers and bikers will love the access to numerous public parks and trails. Take the Niagara River Recreation Trail from Niagara Falls to Fort Erie. Or try the Greater Niagara Circle Route for a paved trail that circles the entire area. For quieter times, visit the Niagara Falls Public Library for books and a senior community hub.
High-quality healthcare is available through the Niagara Health System or the Greater Niagara General Hospital. The health system includes access to specialists in senior-specific care. Niagara offers numerous clinics and medical centers throughout the city so seniors can find the health options they want or need. Local public transportation runs city-wide buses and offers several train services for traveling outside the area. The average home price in February 2025 is high at $696,000.
Simcoe
Simcoe is an extremely popular small town in southwestern Ontario near Lake Erie. Simcoe features a low crime rate, in-town healthcare, and plenty of recreational opportunities. The ciy offers several Senior Centres offering recreational, social, and educational programs specifically for seniors. Choose from game days, crafts, or get involved in fitness classes or sport teams.
Simcoe is home to a vibrant arts and cultural community. Seniors can take advantage of visiting the Norfolk County Archives, Port Dover Harbour Museum, or the Waterford Heritage and Agricultural Museum. Visit the Simcoe Little Theatre for community presentations of Jessica's Fine Adventure, which will be held in the first two weeks of May. For active seniors who enjoy getting out on the trails, there are plenty within Simcoe for walking, biking, skateboarding, or using a mobility scooter. Take the Backus Woods Trail or the Delhi Rail Trail, which uses an old railroad track and runs from Simcoe to Delhi. Commune with nature and enjoy bird watching at the Brooks Conservation Area. Norfolk Country provides free trail maps covering all trails, even those for kayaking and canoeing.
Several healthcare options exist, including private health centers and the Norfolk General Hospital. The median home price for February 2025 is rather high at $851,000. There are several local retirement communities for alternative senior living options like the Aspira Cedar Crossing community.
LaSalle
LaSalle is known as the safest city in Ontario and has a consistently low crime rate. LaSalle is home to the Strawberry Festival, which is held annually on the first weekend of June. The Strawberry Festival draws crowds from all over Canada and the United States. LaSalle provides more than 30 km of hiking and biking trails within the city. It also supports the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex, which includes a senior center, adjacent trails, and picnic areas. Vollmer also has a public dog park, a boat ramp, and a large splash pad for cooling off in the summer.
The Vollmer Complex includes a unique park for seniors or those experiencing grief or loss. The Healing Hearts Forest is just south of the pond and includes around 425 trees, a gazebo, benches, and a butterfly garden. It鈥檚 perfect for seniors working on mindfulness or needing a quiet space to meditate with nature. LaSalle retirees will also enjoy the added benefits of expanded senior center services coming in April 2025. The city won a 55 million dollar grant to expand its senior offerings, including free and low-cost programming. The median housing cost in February 2025 is high at $1,149,000.
Ontario offers potential retirees and seniors several towns of various sizes with consistently low crime rates and plenty of senior activity options. There are in-town healthcare options, making it easily accessible. The median price of homes continues to increase in the Ontario area, but for seniors with a healthy retirement budget, the area offers cities with senior amenities and outdoor space.
