People react differently to retirement when it’s on the horizon. While some may be enthusiastic and happy, others feel anxiety, fear, and even depression at the prospect of leaving their active work routine for a more relaxed lifestyle. However, with the right information, careful planning and proper guidance, the transition to retirement can be easy and fulfilling.
If your loved ones wish to explore the option of moving into a retirement living community as soon as they retire, you can find a vibrant home of friends and neighbours at Seasons Retirement.
Here are some things you should know and consider if you wish to retire in Canada, where you can find some of the best cities for retirees.
Preparation is Key
Every great architectural masterpiece started as a plan on paper. So, before leaving your work life, be sure to consider how you want your retirement to be.
Do you wish to remain active post-retirement, working part-time or volunteer? Do you intend to travel a lot after your retirement? If yes, you should consider preparing a more robust retirement budget.
Ask yourself these questions before planning and budgeting. Carefully detail how much money you intend to spend on your living expenses, leisure and the likes, based on your projected resources.
If the resources that you can realistically hope to raise by the time of your retirement cannot fund your planned retirement lifestyle, you should make the necessary adjustments to your plan.
The earlier you begin to work out your dream retirement, the better your chances of actualizing it.
Furthermore, work on clearing all debts before proceeding to retire. This will save you from worrying about repaying debts with your retirement budget and allow you to have the peace of mind you need to make your retirement experience worthwhile.
Income
Needless to say, you need money for your retirement. These funds can come from several sources, including income from the government, pensions from the workplace, one’s savings, and so on. Government income can be in the form of the Canada Pension Plan, which is a scheme that pays retirees according to the amount of money they contribute to the program, or Old Age Pension available to Canadians above the age of 65.
However, persons with fewer resources can benefit from the Guaranteed Income Supplement program, on which no income tax is levied. Also, employers usually have internal pension schemes from which their long-term staff can benefit.
Furthermore, retirees can use their personal funds from savings accumulated over the years and income from business investments.
Access to necessary amenities
Pick a city with all the infrastructure and amenities your loved one needs.
Suppose your parents have certain health conditions that require regular specialist attention. In that case, you can choose a location close to medical facilities, where they can be attended to, in case of emergencies. Furthermore, consider how close the retirement location is to sports stadiums, art galleries, and other places of interest to your loved ones.
Owen Sound and Stoney Creek are well known for their numerous social and cultural activities for older adults. Seasons Retirement has beautiful communities in these two locations to provide a great home for retirees.
Climate
Climate can go a long way in affecting the health and well-being of older adults.
Make sure to pick a city with less extreme weather conditions. Certain parts of Ontario, especially in the Niagara region, rank among the warmest places in Canada, making Ontario one of the best cities for seniors to live.
How well do you know the town?
It is best to carry out some background research on the town or city you wish to live in.
Apart from making findings on the internet, ask friends about the area, and you can go a step further by spending some time there during vacations and work leaves. Also, you can rent and stay in a house in the town for a month during the winter. If you love your experience at the place, then it may be the right area to spend your retirement years.
Safety
Older people are often the targets of criminal attacks such as burglaries and robberies. Hence, the best cities for retirees have the lowest crime rates.
Though Canada is one of the safest countries in the world, cities in the country are known to be more crime-prone than others. Older persons must choose areas with lower or reduced crime rates. La Salle, Blainville, and Drayton Valley are some of the safest places for older adults to live in Canada.
To ensure that your older loved ones are safe, consider proposing a move to Seasons Retirement communities in any of these locations mentioned above. Security is provided round the clock for residents there.
Size of town
Retiring to a relatively small town can be a big help to your pocket. Small towns are typically cheaper, less noisy, and have lower crime rates. If you wish to access such amenities that only big cities can offer, you can live in a small town located near a big city.
Some of the best small towns to retire to in Canada include Belle River in Lakeshore, which has a relatively low cost of living and Royal Oak Village in LaSalle. The idyllic beauty of small towns also adds to their charm, making them one of the best cities for retirees.
Proximity to family and friends
For many older adults, family is a crucial part of life, and they love to receive visits from their children and grandchildren regularly.
If your parents fall into this category, choosing a relatively close city to where you and other family members live is advisable.
End note
Indeed, the prospect of travelling around the world to enjoy your retirement years is exciting. However, instead of embarking on this journey, you can join a community of active older adults at Seasons Retirement.
Also, when you return from your voyage across the globe, you can move into this reputed retirement community to connect with other retirees and have yourself a wonderful retirement experience.
