Earlier this year, Travel + Leisure magazine released a list of Canada’s cheapest places to retire, with Cochrane, Alta., making the cut.
It got us thinking: where would we settle down if we were to retire in Alberta?
So, we scoured the map and selected eight places that seemed like great spots to spend our golden years.
These are spots that are absolutely gorgeous in the summer and just close enough to international airports that you can escape south for warmth in the harsh winter months whenever you need to. Plus, most have affordable housing prices and are close to major hospitals and healthcare centres.
Canmore
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While it isn’t the cheapest on the list, we can’t imagine a more peaceful retirement than in the Town of Canmore. It’s a quaint community with immaculate scenery, wildlife, and historic buildings. It’s also less crowded than nearby Banff, but both towns share that alpine charm.
Drumheller
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Drumheller offers one heck of a gorgeous setting, and the incredible hoodoos and valleys are relatively accessible. Housing in this adorable town is pretty affordable. Plus, it has a hospital, plenty of sunshine, and lots to do in town.
Fort Macleod
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If we were ever so lucky as to retire, we would spend our days hanging out and sipping coffee in the adorable and rustic downtown of Fort McLeod. Housing is affordable, it’s close to healthcare facilities in Lethbridge, and there’s no shortage of historic charm in this little town.
Wabamun
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Nestled beside the stunning Wabamun Lake Provincial Park is the Hamlet of Wabamun. We think this would be an excellent spot for retirement as it’s quaint, quiet, and offers affordable lakeside living. Time to buy that boat! While small, all of life’s essentials can be found in shops around town, and it’s just a 45-minute drive to the nearest Costco.
Okotoks
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Okotoks is a prime spot for Calgary retirees to settle once all the kids have left home. Here, you can cash in on that YYC property value and downsize with a nice condo while still being close to the big city. Okotoks is truly underrated. It’s adorable, there’s no hustle and bustle of the big city life, plus, there is a really big rock!
Diamond Valley
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Nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of the Rocky Mountain foothills is the quaint and charming community of Diamond Valley. Itâs just close enough to Calgary that youâre not missing out on big-city amenities, and the sunsets and sunrises out there are to die for. We can totally picture ourselves in a big, cozy chair on the porch, working on a small knitting project or something once we retire to Diamond Valley.
St. Albert
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Like Okotoks, St. Albert is the perfect place for Edmonton retirees to settle. St. Albert is a stunning community located close to parks, trails, and world-class healthcare. It’s still close enough to Edmonton, where you can enjoy all the perks of city life while spending day-to-day in a much quieter community.
Blairmore
And finally, Blairmore. This is the perfect spot for retirees looking to get a little more active in their golden years. While it may score a bit lower when it comes to access to healthcare in Calgary or Edmonton, Blairmore is affordable and offers plenty of trails, mountains, and small-town charm. Should we be so lucky as to stay active in retirement, we know where weâre heading!
What town or city would you retire to in Alberta? Let us know in the comments.