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The criteria - The most important things a retiree needs are pleasant weather, easy access to transit, superb healthcare, low taxes, a strong sense of community, a thriving arts scene to keep you engaged, and an airport nearby to ensure you still get to go on all those trips you've been putting aside.

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30. Mississippi Mills, Ontario - A small town in eastern Ontario makes it into the top 30 places to retire. It hosts many festivals and events, including the Almonte Fair and CeltFest, and it features beautiful, calm scenes like this.

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29. Colwood, British Columbia - One for the history buffs—Colwood is home to the Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site, the Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site, and the majestic grounds of Hatley Park National Historic Site.

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28. Quinte West, Ontario - Located on the western end of the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario, this town boasts excellent and accessible healthcare, with 4.56 doctors per 1,000 people.

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27. Owen Sound, Ontario - Sitting on an inlet of the majestic Georgian Bay, Owen Sound boasts beautiful scenery and waterfalls just a short drive from town. The town has also been rated the number one place to retire in Ontario, though it's number 27 on this country-wide list.

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26. Kelowna, British Columbia - Kelowna is situated in the Okanagan Valley and is surrounded by provincial parks, pine forest, vineyards, orchards, and mountains. If you imagine a retirement brimming with wine tastings, cultural events, and gorgeous scenery, then this is the place for you.

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25. Brandon, Manitoba - Brandon is the second-largest city in Manitoba, located in the southwestern corner of the province on the banks of the Assiniboine River.

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24. Salmon Arm, British Columbia - With a mild climate, this charming city has perfect beach weather in the summer. It also features the longest wooden wharf in North America!

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23. Canmore, Alberta - Canmore is the best place to retire in Alberta. It is situated in the Rocky Mountains and known for its craggy summits like the Three Sisters and Ha Ling Peak. If you're into nature, the nearby Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park offers trails that pass two turquoise lakes, as well as cross-country ski and mountain-bike trails.

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22. Fredericton - The capital of New Brunswick is situated on the St. John River and is well-known for its Historic District, artists' studios, outdoor theatre, and the Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market.

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21. Rimouski, Quebec - One for the Frenchies! This quaint city along the St. Lawrence River has amazing healthcare and a strong community vibe. Although the winters are cold, the summer never gets too hot.

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20. Vernon, British Columbia - This city in the Okanagan has all the charm of a small residential town but is the region's commercial hub. It is nestled in grassland hills and surrounded by three lakes.

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19. Strathroy-Caradoc, Ontario - This municipality 35 km west of London, Ontario, is famous for its annual Strathroy Hometown Turkey Festival. It offers year-round activities and the comfort of a small town.

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18. Central Saanich, British Columbia - This Vancouver Island spot is is the most populous municipality in the Capital Regional District and Vancouver Island, and the eighth-most populous in the province. Retirement doesn't mean you have to move to a small town!

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17. Toronto - Toronto is a hot spot for young crowds and retirees alike, offering a healthy amount of diversity and sunshine 45% of the time! There is a vast selection of retirement communities and services for the elderly, but in the meantime you can enjoy the lively arts and culture scene and the beautiful waterfront.

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16. Winnipeg - The best place to retire in the Prairie region, Winnipeg boasts shops, restaurants, art galleries, and ample green spaces.

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15. North Saanich, British Columbia - The second Saanich entry on this list is approximately 25 km north of Victoria, and is surrounded on three sides by 20 km of ocean shoreline. It's also home to the Victoria International Airport and the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, so snowbirds can escape at the drop of a hat.

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14. Sidney, British Columbia - Sidney is situated at the northern end of the Saanich Peninsula—if you haven't realized, Saanich is the place to be!. It's a popular eco-tourist destination, good for whale-watchers, bird-watchers, and scuba-divers too.

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13. Moncton, New Brunswick - Moncton's real estate is very affordable, and the healthcare facilities are regarded as some of the best in Canada. One of the most bilingual cities, Moncton is the highest-rated retirement location for all of Atlantic Canada.

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12. Saint-Charles-Borromée, Quebec - Located in southwest-central Quebec on the Rivière l'Assomption, this little town is home to expositions, festivals, and cultural activities year-round.

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11. Collingwood, Ontario - This town north of Toronto has a charming downtown core, interesting museums, and is a gateway to the famous Blue Mountain ski resort. It's also home to the largest Elvis Fest in the world!

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10. Cranbrook, British Columbia - Home to the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel and the Kootenay Ice Women's Hockey League team, this adorable town situated on the west side of the Kootenay River has a lot of community pride and a very peaceful vibe. 

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9. Kingston, Ontario - This attractive city offers an excellent quality of life, a historic square filled with patios for lounging, and a gorgeous waterfront view.

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8. Joliette, Quebec - This unassuming town 50 km northeast of Montreal is the best place in to retire in Quebec. One of the town's highlights is the Joliette Art Museum, which contains a huge collection from the French Middle Ages.

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7. Burlington, Ontario - This lakeside city with a charming old centre features a moderate climate and a wealth of independent-living facilities and services for seniors.

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6. Stratford, Ontario - You'll never get bored in Stratford. Between leisurely strolls in the Shakespearean Gardens, delicious bites by the Avon River, and a constant stream of the country's best theatre, there is always something to do.

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5. Saanich District Municipality, British Columbia - Saanich's final appearance on this list! Its wide variety of rural and urban neighbourhoods in combination with its glacially scoured topography and proximity to the ocean only just begin to explain how this place became just a retiree's dream.

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4. Nelson, British Columbia - Also known as Queen City for its impressive collection of restored heritage buildings, Nelson is located in the Selkirk Mountains on the extreme West Arm of Kootenay Lake. It has a great arts scene, is surrounded by beautiful scenery, and has a close-knit community.

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3. Orillia, Ontario - Between Lake Simcoe, Casino Rama, Mount St. Louis Moonstone, and Mara Provincial Park, Orillia has never-ending entertainment and beauty. 

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2. Ottawa - The nation's capital is the second-best place to retire in Canada, but MoneySense also rated it the best place to live in Canada. To add to its merit, the city has museums, galleries, cafes, the Rideau Canal, accessible transit, bilingual services, and excellent healthcare. 

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1. Victoria - A small city with a European vibe, enchanting gardens, a lakefront harbour, and a whole lot of history. To place as the best city to retire in all of Canada, Victoria also boasts low taxes, close proximity to an airport, excellent access to healthcare, and a mild climate. Retiring in this British Columbia city means the chance to lounge on patios, drink excellent local beer and wine, and have culture and entertainment on your doorstep.

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