Looking for the ideal place to kick back, relax, and enjoy your retirement? Want easy access to golf courses, farmer’s markets, and the beautiful countryside – without giving up any of the big-city amenities?
London, Ontario, a.k.a. “the Forest City” is quickly becoming a go-to destination for discerning retirees who want it all. Located about 200 km east of Toronto along the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor, this city of 380,000 provides the perfect mix of modern services, historic charm, and housing prices that are hard to beat.
Here’s some of the reasons why London is a great place to retire:
World-Class Healthcare
London is home to one of Canada’s largest and most respected acute-care teaching hospitals, the London Health Sciences Center, where over 15,000 surgeons, physicians, nurses, and medical specialists provide ground-breaking care. Services at the LHSC include a regional trauma centre, Kidney Care Center, Cardiac Care Services, and Regional Cancer Program.
Easy Access To Local, National, and International Destinations
Despite its relatively small population, London offers a full range of transportation options. You can catch a direct flight from London International Airport to Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and seasonal direct flights to Orlando, Jamaica, Mexico and Cuba. The city is also served by Greyhound and Via Rail, while the Robert Q Airbus makes catching a flight to or from Toronto or Detroit easy.
London is also home to E1 Transit – a unique, all-electric taxi service that operates using emission-free Tesla Model S sedans, giving eco-conscious consumers when it comes to hiring a private car service to and from the Forest City.
For in-town travel, there’s the LTC – London’s municipal transit service. The entire LTC fleet is now fully accessible with low floor buses and priority seating zones, making it easy for everyone to travel the system. Seniors enjoy discounted fares when purchasing both tickets and monthly passes, and there’s even Uber service in the city.
The Vibrant Downtown Area
Downtown London is a great walkable area, filled with independent restaurants and brew pubs, unique shops, and the year-round Covent Garden Market where you’ll find fresh produce, artisan butchers and bakeries, and a seasonal outdoor skating rink.
Budweiser Gardens, the largest sports and entertainment centre in Southwestern Ontario is located in the heart of the city, providing residents here with a steady supply of world-class concerts and sporting events. The Gardens are also home to the London Knights of the Ontario Junior Hockey League – an organization that’s well-known for producing top talent. NHL players like Patrick Kane, Corey Perry, Rick Nash, and Mitch Marner having spent time wearing the green and gold.
Access To Endless Recreation
Love golf? If so, you’ll find no shortage of greens in the rolling countryside surrounding London and within the city limits, making this a great retirement destination for duffers.
For year-round recreation, the newly constructed YMCA (slated to open in September, 2018) will offer a wide range of programming for residents of all ages, while London’s numerous neighbourhood parks are the perfect place to enjoy some outdoor time. There’s even five off-leash dog parks in the city to keep your pooch active!
Attractive Housing Prices and Options
London offers an eclectic array of housing options for retirees ranging from century-old brick homes to detached bungalows, maintenance-free condos, and newly constructed adult living communities – and they’re all priced well below comparable properties in Toronto.
Sound intriguing? Contact the Santa Sells Houses Team to learn more about why London, Ontario is a great place to retire!
