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Where are the best places to retire in British Columbia? We look at what are your best choices, based on a variety of sources, as well as comments from BC residents themselves. Here's our take on the best places to retire in the province of British Columbia.
BC's best places to retire
1. Parksville
AKA "the jewel of Vancouver Island," AKA "Canada's retirement capital," Parksville is the centerpiece of an area renowned for its Mediterranean climate. The town itself is known for its sandy beaches protected from any harsh weather by a semi-circular cove. Move here and you can go kayaking in December, golfing in January, and whale-watching any time of the year. Live here and you'll join a lot of other retirees just like you, thanks to its having the country's highest number of seniors per capita.
For all the nearby features and beauty, there’s a lot to do in Parksville itself. (Family will love to visit you.) In Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, you’ll love the scenic beaches and beautiful vistas of the Strait. At Parksville Beach Fest, held every August, you can join the sand castle-building contest. Paradise Fun Park is a place your kids and grandkids will love. You might also love rock jumping at Top Bridge Park. There’s even a regional campus of Vancouver Island University here — and so much more.
Parksville's real estate is reasonably priced compared to Victoria and Vancouver (35% lower than Victoria and 70% lower than Vancouver1.) There are a lot of reasons why it’s number one!
Great retirement places in Parksville
2. Victoria
Victoria is currently listed #1 on MoneySense's list of best places to retire in Canada. Why? There are 3.73 doctors per 1000 people and the city has 319 days of the year above freezing. All that healthy sea air and temperate climate also makes it one of the healthiest places to live in all of Canada. Nearby towns include Saanich, also listed high on Canada's Best Places to Live2.
Low property tax rates make it easy for Victoria seniors to travel more than people from some other BC cities. Scotty Day, a resident in a Pacific coastal retirement home, says it best: "We’re always excited to go away. But without exception, when we return, we always say, ‘It’s so good to be home!'" Read Scotty's story here.
Victoria retirement destinations
3. West Vancouver
West Van has been the highest-ranking BC city on the list of best places to live in Canada, according to MoneySense.2 It qualifies as a small town, while standout qualities that drove up its ranking are low taxes, low crime, and excellent walking and biking paths, along with better than average public transit. West Vancouver also has low unemployment and a median household income of $90,000 annually3. The price of living here is very expensive but those who live there are happy to call it home.
Mary is one retirement home resident who loves the life at her retirement home. "Life is so full," she says. The great thing about living here, she tells us, is that "you can always keep active here… and you can always see the fun in life."
West Vancouver retirement communities
4. Kelowna
Combine rugged interior provincial beauty with a moderate climate and you get Kelowna. It stands here for a lot of great BC interior cities that make great places to retire, but in itself it’s a truly ideal town. There are over 1400 local businesses, including numerous malls and plazas, along with local wineries, and a yacht club on Lake Okanagan. Find 125 parks and trails within the city’s boundaries. Go hiking and you might spot wildlife, anything from foxes and marmots to bears.
It’s one of those places "with heart." You know you can rely on people. Those tangibles and intangibles put Kelowna 65th on MoneySense's list of best places to live in Canada a few years ago2.
Mary Lou tells us that in her home here, "I know I am safe." What's more, "my family knows I am safe and happy here." Beauty, vitality, safety and happiness... what more can you ask for in a retirement destination?
5. Vancouver
Vancouver has been listed by The Economist as the #3 most liveable city in the world4. There's little doubt that Vancouver is a world-class destination for living and investing. The city's free and easy lifestyle, spectacular scenery, and superb natural environment are all legendary, as are its complementary real estate costs, of course. What about actually living and retiring there? The Economist ranks it so highly based on categories like stability, health care, culture, environment, education, and infrastructure. People love living and being retired here as they say in Vancouver retirement homes' reviews.
Vancouver's best retirement homes
6. Nanaimo
The entire eastern side of Vancouver Island is a great place to retire, and Nanaimo is a hub (population just over 100,000 as of 2023). Like Parksville (and Campbell River, Duncan, for that matter) it’s got that wonderfully moderate climate year-round. There’s whale watching and other marine activities here, as you might expect. The beauty of the harbourfront includes small shops, restaurants, and more. Nanaimo has a reputation as a peaceful, safe place to live and it’s an ideal retirement destination, as shown by the many who have done so. The average age in the city is 45, while a substantial portion of the population is over 60. Like Parksville, you can live here far more cheaply than you would in Victoria or Vancouver.
Great places to retire in Nanaimo
7. Burnaby
Burnaby is ranked 182nd overall on the most recent list of best places to live. The third largest city in British Columbia, Burnaby was also listed in a survey by Maclean’s magazine (albeit in 2009), as Canada’s best-run city, based on factors including efficiency and effectiveness of city services. The population of Burnaby is only 249,197 (as of 2017) and the average household net worth in the city is $650,000. The prosperity of the city is a product of people's energy and confidence, as exemplified by Dorothy, a senior resident of Mulberry PARC. As she says, "We keep very busy… Here, there’s always something to do."
8. Surrey
Listed #104 on the Best Places to Live in all of Canada in 2016, Surrey is a large city with a growing population. It's a great place to retire because of its relatively low crime rate and its temperate weather (as found throughout BC). Surrey is a relatively green and progressive city, with over 7% of the population traveling to work by public transit and 6.5 % of the population working in health care. It has a somewhat lower annual rainfall than other BC cities.
Pam Bricker says her mom loves her retirement in Surrey. "She always wanted to come 'home' to BC but she lived in Seattle. She loves being retired in Surrey… There are many shops and conveniences within walking distance of where she lives, and there's a wealth of other people her age with whom to socialize."
In the end, who can decide for sure what is the best place to live or retire? You may have your own ideas that run completely contrary to that of the so-called "authorities." When most people consider their own needs, they want to be close to family or other things important to them. There are many things to think about, and really, the best place to live is anywhere where you have good friends and loved ones nearby and you enjoy life to the fullest. It may not, in the end, be a place, so much as a state of mind.
Sources and further reading
1Wowa.ca reports Vancouver at $1.28 million and Victoria at $1.02 million (as of October 2023), while Ojohome lists the price here as $755,050.
2MoneySense.ca/canadas-best-places-to-live-2016-full-ranking/. See also moneysense.ca/save/retirement/canadas-best-places-to-retire-2016/.
3point2homes.com/CA/Demographics/BC/West-Vancouver-Demographics.html
4The Economist tracks the world's most liveable cities. E.g. economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2015/08/daily-chart-5.
IN-DEPTH REPORTSRetirement homes in BC
Agassiz Seniors Community
MacKay Cres, Agassiz,
British Columbia, V0M 1A3
Agassiz Seniors Community offers peaceful living in the Cheam Mountains. With a close-knit community and serene surroundings, this residence prioritizes personal connections and a relaxed lifestyle.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Long-term care
Gilmore Gardens - Verve Senior Living
4088 Blundell Road, Richmond,
British Columbia, V7C 5V1
Like a condominium, you furnish your suite with the comforts from your home, including pets. At Gilmore Gardens, it's the people, residents and staff alike, that make this independent senior living community so special.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
The Residence at Orchards Walk
#100 3300 Valleyview Drive, Kamloops,
British Columbia, V2C 0G9
The Residence offers service-oriented living at its finest. With a shopping plaza and stunning views, Orchards Walk is Kamloops’ premier new neighbourhood. Choose between spacious studios and one or two bedroom suites.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Magnolia Gardens
5840 Glover Rd, Langley,
British Columbia, V3A 9K3
An oasis in the heart of Langley City, Magnolia Gardens features bright, spacious suites and a warm, friendly atmosphere. Two choices in senior living: 115 independent living suites, and a 40-suite licensed Care Centre.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Courtyard Gardens - Verve Senior Living
7051 Moffat Road, Richmond,
British Columbia, V6Y 3W2
Courtyard Gardens offers an enriching community, with quality staff & friendly & caring environment. 107 Private & Subsidized suites in Assisted Living, 31 Private Pay Extended Care studio suites & 1 Respite Suite.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Long-term care
Berwick On The Park
60 Whiteshield Crescent, South Kamloops,
British Columbia, V2E 2S9
Nestled on the hillside, Berwick on the Park offers stunning panoramic mountain, valley and river views and flexible retirement lifestyles, including independent living and assisted living.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Athens Creek Retirement Lodge
170 Warren Avenue West, Penticton,
British Columbia, V2A 8R6
Athens Creek Retirement Lodge offers independent living in Penticton amid mountain and creekside surroundings. This is a welcoming community where comfort, convenience, and connection combine in a relaxed setting.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
OPAL Vancouver
438 West King Edward Ave, Vancouver,
British Columbia, V5Y 05M
OPAL Vancouver offers luxurious senior living with 30,000+ sq. ft. of amenities and a full continuum of care, creating a vibrant, connected community designed for comfort, wellness, and aging in place.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Long-term care
Berwick Parksville
180 Jensen Ave East, Parksville,
British Columbia, V9P 0G9
At Berwick Parksville, we strive to change the perception of retirement living by empowering our Residents to live their best life with us. We think of it as inspired retirement living.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
The Camelot
455 Kingston Street, Victoria,
British Columbia, V8V 1V8
The Camelot offers Boutique Independent Retirement Living with Supportive Services. With fresh homemade meals, caring staff, fun activities in the exquisite and peaceful James Bay neighbourhood.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
The Concorde Retirement Residence - Verve Senior Living
3235 Skaha Lake Road, Penticton,
British Columbia, V2A 6G5
The Concorde has a warm and welcoming atmosphere with comfortable dining & excellent views of the mountains, along with extensive program activities; The Concorde is perfect for an active living & entertaining lifestyle.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Greystone Manor Retirement Residence
11657 Ritchie Avenue, Maple Ridge,
British Columbia, V2X 8X3
Named one of the top 3 retirement communities in Maple Ridge, Greystone is a premier Park Place residence, with the comfort and services you need to maintain your active lifestyle in a warm and welcoming community.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Thornebridge Gardens - Verve Senior Living
649 8th Avenue, New Westminster,
British Columbia, V3M 2R2
Thornebridge Gardens is one of New Westminster’s finest retirement residences, providing luxurious, worry-free surroundings with life enriching services that inspire healthy senior living. Many options are available!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Sherwood House
280 Government Street, Duncan,
British Columbia, V9L 0B5
At Sherwood House we offer active adult independent retirement living, pet friendly, featuring delicious homemade meals, daily activities, weekly housekeeping, safely connected in the heart of Duncan, Vancouver Island
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Sunstone Apartments
10775 Delsom Crescent, Delta,
British Columbia, V4C 0A8
Sunstone Rentals is the newest retirement community located in North Delta. A 70 unit independent living facility for those 55+, offers retirement community living for those downsizing.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living
Berwick by the Sea
1353 16th Ave., Campbell River,
British Columbia, V9W 0C4
Berwick by the Sea offers you the freedom to spend your time doing the things you love most. Every area of the community has been carefully designed to offer something for everyone. Come join us on your next adventure!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Hawthorn Park Retirement Community - Verve Senior Living
867 KLO Road, Kelowna,
British Columbia, V1Y 9G5
Living at Hawthorn Park Retirement Residence means you have choices & can customize the services you need, as you need them. We offer three lifestyle opportunities; supportive living, assisted living & complex care.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
The Heritage - Verve Senior Living
3630 Brown Rd, West Kelowna,
British Columbia, V4T7Y9
The Heritage Retirement Residence encompasses an active living & entertaining lifestyle with supportive & assisted living measures, Our highly skilled registered health care team will provide assistance when you need it.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Cristalina PARC
3101 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna,
British Columbia, V1W 1J5
Cristalina PARC brings refined independent senior living to Kelowna’s Pandosy Village. With stunning lake and mountain views, and a modern design, it’s a place that invites you to live fully and in style.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Berwick Royal Oak
4680 Elk Lake Drive, Victoria,
British Columbia, V8Z 0B4
Luxurious, Resort-Style Retirement Living where you can age in place; You’re Home at Last at Berwick Royal Oak on Vancouver Island in beautiful Victoria, BC.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Long-term care
The Vineyards Residence
726 Valley Road, Kelowna,
British Columbia, V1V 0E9
The Vineyards approach to assisted living & memory care allows people to go about life as they always have, despite health changes. Beautiful suites & homemade meals. Discover for yourself why we say Life’s Better Here
Lifestyle Options: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Berwick Comox Valley
1700 Comox Avenue, Comox,
British Columbia, V9M 4H4
Berwick Comox Valley offers a resort-style retirement residence in a convenient downtown setting. This is West Coast living at its finest, truly affordable luxury.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Arbourside Court
13751 - 74th Avenue, Surrey,
British Columbia, V3W 1A8
Welcome to Arbourside Court, a retirement home in the heart of Surrey, BC. Proudly serving our senior residents since 2001. Many activities to enjoy and new friendships to be made, we are always bustling with laughter.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Berwick Qualicum Beach
120 First Ave W, Qualicum Beach,
British Columbia, V9K 0B4
Berwick Qualicum Beach offers an array of amenities and engaging programs in our beautifully appointed community. Join our vibrant community today and enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle with some new friends.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
The Wexford
1737 56 Street, Tsawwassen,
British Columbia, V4L 0A5
The Wexford offers all-inclusive, independent senior living one km from Tsawwassen town centre. Bright and spacious suites and costal-inspired living areas are beautifully accented by a rooftop garden and courtyard.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
The Village Langley - Verve Senior Living
3920 198th Street, Langley,
British Columbia, V3A1E1
We believe that the desire for fulfillment and living a life with purpose does not diminish with a diagnosis of dementia. We focus on the possibilities of each person, supporting each to live with laughter, love and joy.
Lifestyle Options: Memory Care, Long-term care
Bolivar Creek Retirement Residence
10928 132 street, Surrey,
British Columbia, V3T0R3
Discover vibrant, independent senior living at Bolivar Creek—modern design, natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows, flexible dining, and personalized care.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Berwick On The Lake
3201 Ross Road, Nanaimo,
British Columbia, V9T 6L9
At Berwick on the Lake, residents enjoy red seal chef prepared meals in their choice of 3 dining rooms. Beyond our beautiful amenities, our residents also enjoy a full wellness program. Resort style living at it's best!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Berwick House
4062 Shelbourne Street, Victoria,
British Columbia, V8N 3E6
Berwick House offers comfort, security and our usual high standard of affordable luxury. Steps away from a mall, cinema and other conveniences, you’ll find everything you need for an independent and active lifestyle.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Long-term care
Granville Gardens - Verve Senior Living
1550 West 49th Avenue,, Vancouver,
British Columbia, V6M 0B3
Located in Vancouver’s Kerrisdale neighbourhood, Granville Gardens offers residents the opportunity to stay active and live in a well-appointed urban community, surrounded by shopping centres, parks, community centres.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
