For Canadians thinking about snowbirding or spending their retirement in a place where avoiding the warm sun is a challenge, staying within the country might not seem like the best option. A retirement dealing with frigid winters and harsh snow isn’t exactly the easiest sell.
But nowadays, more Canadian snowbirds are skipping U.S. locations, including sunny states like Florida, Arizona and California. Others are hoping to spend their golden years a bit closer to home than Portugal, Thailand or Mexico.
Anthony Quinn, president of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), warns “the grass isn’t always greener” when it comes to spending your later years elsewhere. The non-profit advises looking beyond the warm weather and possibly lower costs of new destinations, he adds.
“Moving away from the community that you know and are part of can be more difficult than it looks in a colourful brochure full of happy seniors,” the Toronto-based advocate tells Yahoo Canada. “Sometimes aging in place or finding the right retirement community, or accessible bungalow or condo in your own hometown, might just be the best option.”
So, is it possible to snowbird within Canada or find a suitable retirement community without leaving the country? Keep reading for some Canadian hidden gems that could be the next place you call home.
The best snowbird destinations in Canada
If you’re looking to spend a few months escaping the cold winters of your hometown but still want to stay in Canada, you may want to look to British Columbia. The southern parts of this province offer some of the country’s mildest climates, and many places are considered age-friendly communities.
B.C.’s capital, Victoria, is a popular destination for snowbirds and retirees due to its mild climate. (Getty Images)
Victoria, B.C.
On the southern tip of Vancouver Island sits B.C.’s capital city. Victoria — often called the “Garden City” — has comfortable, dry summers and mild winters that are rarely snowy. In the colder months, average temperatures range between 4°C and 8°C.
The greater area is home to around 400,000 people, and the municipality of Saanich joined the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Age-Friendly Cities Project in 2006 to help guide community development.
Parksville and Qualicum Beach, B.C.
If you head north on the island and pass Nanaimo, you’ll hit two B.C. communities that are great for snowbirds: Parksville and Qualicum Beach. In the former, more than two in five residents are 65 and older, and Quinn notes that Statistics Canada has called it “Canada’s Mediterranean retirement community.”
Winters are also calmer in these two communities, with temperatures hovering around highs of 7°C or lows just above freezing.
Many snowbirds flock to Osoyoos in the southern Okanagan, but other parts of the region also boast warmer temperatures in fall and winter. (Getty Images)
The Okanagan, B.C.
The Okanagan region is more than just a haven for wineries and orchards. Many Canadians looking to snowbird within the country travel to this part of B.C. for a milder winter.
Osoyoos, in the southern end of the region near the border with Washington, is one of the more popular destinations. According to Destination Osoyoos, thousands of snowbirds already travel to the area during the colder months ” for sunshine, lakeside walks and a small-town pace.”
Other parts of the Okanagan are also frequented by snowbirds. Kelowna, Peachland and Penticton are just some of the communities offering shelter to many Canadians looking to escape the cold weather.
Other best places to retire in Canada
Quinn offers a reminder that there is no one “best” place to retire in Canada. However, “retirees may find a combination of affordability, climate, recreation, social connection, housing options and age-friendly planning” in a variety of locations, he says.
CARP President Anthony Quinn says most Canadians should consider access to health care as their top requirement when choosing a retirement destination. (Getty Images)
“The due diligence remains the same,” he adds when considering a place to snowbird or relocate to. “Visit in the off-season, test the transportation, check doctor and hospital access, understand local home-care and long-term care availability and make sure the community still works if mobility or health needs change.”
Elliot Lake, Ont.
Quinn explains there are many communities in Canada geared toward being a retirement or age-friendly destination. Between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury is one location called Elliot Lake that’s been popular among retirees for years, largely because of its affordability.
According to Elliot Lake Retirement Living, the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $866. Moreover, nearly half of the people living in the community are over the age of 60, and Elliot Lake joined the WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities Project in 2018.
Saint John, N.B.
Saint John, N.B., scored the highest on Zolo’s list of best places to retire in Canada, with data showing more than 20 per cent of the population is above 65. (Getty Images)
The Maritimes can also be a worthy retirement destination for Canadians, with New Brunswick offering cheaper homes and a lower cost of living. According to Zolo, three cities in the province — Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John — were ranked the top places to retire in Canada in 2026, with the latter scoring the highest.
However, Quinn recommends thinking about health care access before jumping ahead and moving to the East Coast.
“These communities can be charming and comparatively affordable, but retirees should check family doctor access, hospital proximity, winter travel, home care and long-term care availability before assuming a lower-cost community will meet their needs,” he says.
Kingston, Ont.
Home to more than 150,000 people, Kingston consistently ranks among the best places in Canada to retire. According to Zolo, the city’s cost of living is 12 per cent lower than the rest of the country and more than 21 per cent of the population is over 65. It’s also located between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, making it a good option if you want to stay central yet outside a major city.
Between its access to nature, rich heritage and affordability, Kingston, Ont., is a great retirement choice in Canada. (Getty Images)
Peterborough, Ont.
Retiring in Peterborough means you’re in the gateway to Kawarthas cottage country, and homes are much cheaper in this city compared to Toronto. More than 80,000 people live here, and Quinn mentions its commitment to age-friendly planning, as well as its benefits of transit, trails and green space.
Halifax, N.S.
Nova Scotia’s capital city may be on the larger side of these cities, but Halifax has long been a popular destination for retirees due to its proximity to nature, ocean access and welcoming community. Moving platform Zen Move listed Halifax as the third-best city for retirement in 2026, and gave it the title for best Atlantic lifestyle.
Halifax offers direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, along with a welcoming community and a laid-back lifestyle that’s ideal for retirees. (Getty Images)
Moose Jaw, Sask.
Don’t count out the Prairies as a potential place to retire. Quinn says Moose Jaw is “worth examining for retirees who want a smaller urban centre with lower housing costs and a slower pace.”
In 2022, Saskatchewan officially recognized this community of more than 30,000 people as being “age-friendly.” The designation honoured the town’s commitment to being more inclusive to seniors and older adults.
Canmore, Alta.
If you dream of the Rockies, you might want to head toward this Alberta town. In fact, World Atlas recently named Canmore as one of the seven best places to retire in the Rocky Mountains.
Located roughly an hour from Calgary, this small town offers stunning views, a low crime rate and easy access to Banff National Park.
The verdict
Overall, it’s best to remember there’s no one-size-fits-all for retirement. Quinn also notes this stage of life isn’t just one note.
“There are different stages of retirement, and what might work when you’re 67 may not work when you’re 76,” he says, adding it’s important to consider possible changes to your health, mobility, caregiving needs or cognition.
He says retirees should “plan not only for the retirement they want today, but for the supports, accessibility, health care and housing options they may need in the next stage of aging.”
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