55 Plus Retirement Homes
One of numerous options in senior housing
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For those who have emptied the nest and want to downsize, housing in a 55 plus retirement community is an ideal way to live. There are a number of different options available to you, including gated communities, and active adult or active lifestyle communities. Below is an overview of some styles of communities for those 55 and over; our guide to active adult communities offers more comprehensive information. These communities are designed with senior couples in mind and tend to friendly to those whose kids have moved out. Communities are not legally allowed to exclude anyone on the basis of age, but there are some provisions for this (notably BC's Strata Property Act. See more below).
List of retirement communities
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Baycrest's Reuben Cipin Healthy Living Community at 2 Neptune Drive
2 Neptune Drive, Toronto,
Ontario, M6A3E6
2 Neptune Dr. is a unique residential community designed for active adults 65+ who enjoy being part of a large, close-knit community and taking part in various fitness and social programs. Move-in incentives available!
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Edgewood Suites
270 Hagan Street East, Southgate,
Ontario, N0C 1B0
Welcome to vibrant, carefree, adult living community, Edgewood Suites, a unique adult lifestyle community located in Dundalk, a place rich in small town charm, natural beauty and superb amenities.
Gates of Bayview
4003 Bayview Avenue, North York,
Ontario, M2M 3Z8
Welcome to The Gates of Bayview, one of North Toronto's most exclusive rental communities. Offering residents spacious 1, 2 and 3 bedroom suites with unmatched amenities, community events, and stunning floral scenery.
Sts. Peter and Paul Residence
221 Milner Avenue, Scarborough,
Ontario, M1S 4P4
Sts. Peter and Paul Residence offers a modern, efficient, and self-sustaining seniors community operated by a professional and compassionate staff.
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Royal Heights Inc.
30 Adelaide Avenue East, Oshawa,
Ontario, L1G 0B8
Royal Heights is designed with your active & independent lifestyle in mind. Luxury apartments feature en-suite laundry, stainless steel appliances & balconies. On site Fitness room, salt water pool, movie theatre & more!
Sifton Riverstone Retiree Apartments
1961 Shore Rd., London,
Ontario, N6K 0K5
Riverstone is offering a lifestyle designed just for you. Our energy-efficient retiree apartments boast up-scale interiors that bring the outside in, to create a one-of-a-kind sustainable environment powered by the sun.
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Lynde Creek Village by Esprit Lifestyle Communities
Dabbs Way, Whitby,
Ontario, L1R 2Y9
Lynde Creek Village is a planned 55 years and over adult lifestyle retirement community located in the town of Whitby, and consists of 113 life lease attached, town-house bungalows situated on 21 acres of land.
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Wellings of Waterford
111 Bruce Street, Waterford,
Ontario, N0E 1Y0
Welcome to Wellings of Waterford, a vibrant villa community for adults 55+. Community clubhouse and parking is included. On-site secured storage is available for an additional cost, all maintenance is included.
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Wellings of Picton
15 Wellings Drive, Picton,
Ontario, K0K 2T0
The Wellings of Picton is a vibrant new community for adults 55+, in Prince Edward County. Offering 64,one bedroom plus den and two bedroom apartments with all appliances and outdoor balconies, pub, parking and dog park.
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Wellings of Corunna
180 Bunker Ave, Corunna,
Ontario, N0N 1G0
NOW OPEN - Wellings of Corunna is a vibrant new community for adults 55+. We are a maintenance free rental community, focused on independent living with amenities designed to make everyday living more convenient.
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Wellings of Stittsville
2500 Wellings Private, Stittsville,
Ontario, K2S 2R5
Enjoy a vibrant new community for adults 55+ who share a passion for an active lifestyle. Studios,1, 2 bedroom apartments to rent include full kitchens, appliances, laundry, balcony, parking, concierge & onsite dining.
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St. Elizabeth Village
1 Yates Gate, Hamilton,
Ontario, L9B 1T8
St. Elizabeth Village is a place where community comes first. The Village is set on an impressive 114-acre natural oasis of parks and ponds. Enjoy a non-stop slate of social activities in a vibrant, active lifestyle.
River Crest Estates
2626 Mewburn Road, Niagara Falls,
Ontario, L2J 0G4
Welcome to River Crest Estates, where you will enjoy a higher quality of life, in the heart of the Niagara Region. You will find a community of comfort, simplicity, and freedom for 50+ Active Adults.
The Meadows of Aurora
440 William Graham Drive, Aurora,
Ontario, L4G 1X5
The Meadows of Aurora is a Christian Seniors Lifestyle Community that promotes the wellbeing of individuals 65+. Residents experience nature’s green spaces, memorable dining experiences and great times with friends.
The Crossing
83 Goosie Loop, Garlands Crossing,
Nova Scotia, B0N2T0
The Crossing is a vibrant active living community in the beautiful Annapolis Valley, an award-winning wine region. Residents will enjoy nearby walking trails, community gardens, golf, skiing & casual or fine dining.
Arbutus Ridge by the Sea
600 Fairways Place, Cobble Hill,
British Columbia, V0R1L1
Arbutus Ridge is a 50 + seaside community located minutes from Victoria via a beautiful drive over the Malahat. There are 646 homes distributed over a park like 150 acres interlinked with the Arbutus Ridge Golf Course.
Gated Communities
There are a number of retirement homes known as gated communities and these offer the same services, features and options as 55 plus retirement communities.
Active Adult Communities
Active adult communities like those listed here on ComfortLife.ca essentially cater to the same group.
The services and amenities at an active adult or gated community might include restaurant style fine dining, fitness centers, onsite golf courses, indoor sports complexes an indoor or outdoor swimming pool, a fireside lounge or luxury furnished suites. Your choice of accommodations could be anything from single detached homes to boutique style retirement residences in an apartment building.
The advantage of this kind of community is that you live in an entire complex that is designed with people like you in mind. The total effect is that you have a place that is maximally livable. Move away from the dense crowding and noise of other communities to the luxury and comfort of a 55 plus community, and you'll never look back. These communities appeal to boomers and seniors seeking independence and social involvement; these are key commitments by retirement communities listed here.
How much is housing in a 55 plus community going to cost?
There are a variety of ownership options available to you if you want to move into this type of community, including rental, leasing and ownership. There is a wide range of costs but some of these homes will cost you significantly less than what you pay for a regular home. So if you downsize into one of these communities from a larger home, you can add to your savings account, assuming that you have leftover equity.
Consider these examples of costs for senior communities:
- A bungalow in small town in southern Ontario is listed at $210,000 for outright ownership
- Lease a condo in a small town outside Ottawa, starting from $2700 per month.
- Purchase a 1 bedroom unit in a gated lifestyle community in Brampton for as low as $206,900
These are just a few examples of the beginning costs or options you may find. There are many cases where you can purchase or rent high end luxury style housing with many features and options. Homes and communities in more expensive markets will be priced accordingly.
Tools to help you choose
Legal use of terms "55 plus" or "55 and over"
Use of phrases like "55 and over" is seen as discriminatory by some, and in North America there are cases where communities have been successfully fought in court. (See for example, a discussion at trulia.com.) The province of British Columbia has a Strata Property Act, originally amended in the year 2009. This specifically allows corporations to "[restrict] the age of persons who may reside in a strata lot." In Ontario, the legality of this age restriction has been upheld in court by the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal.
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