Reasons to Retire to Canada

If you’re looking for a place to retire abroad to, consider Canada it’s got lots going for it for retirees

The dream of retiring abroad is one shared by an increasing number of people – in part this is because many of us are becoming dissatisfied by the nations in which we currently live citing reasons such as rising crime or rising costs of living for example, and in part this is also because it is becoming more the norm to want to spread your wings and explore a little more of the world at a time in our lives when most people have a little more time and money and fewer family or business commitments.

The ultimate dream of a retirement abroad that most people would cite off the top of their heads is probably one involving a villa in the sunshine - but according to many surveys examining the standards and costs of living around the world, Canada is a country that often scores very favourably indeed.  So, if you’re currently mulling over your retirement options here are some reasons to retire to Canada.

Canada has consistently been placed in the top ten of the Human Development Report commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme – in fact Canada has achieved the number one spot in recent years largely because as a nation it manages to achieve an exceptionally good balance between quality and cost of living.  In addition to this, Canada is a nation with a strong social safety net which means its citizens are well looked after, educated and protected without being taxed to the max to pay for such social benefits as free schooling and healthcare.

So – Canada is a socially aware and responsible nation and what this translates to if you’re thinking of retiring to Canada is that you will be well looked after if you fall ill for example and you will receive social assistance should you require it once you become a Canadian citizen and tax payer. 

If you’re retiring abroad one of the most important considerations is healthcare and welfare – therefore with Canada a retiree can achieve a deep peace of mind.  Naturally as with any state welfare and health care system Canada’s state system is over stretched and some say under funded – but it is an exceptionally good base system which a retiree can top up with a basic private health insurance package for example.  Unlike in America, health insurance in Canada is realistically priced!

Because Canada is such an attractive, economically and politically stable, affluent and safe country to live in it is also a nation that attracts record levels of immigration applications annually.  While it has quotas on how many people it can accept, Canada does accept high numbers of applicants from many diverse backgrounds.  This means it is a multi-cultural country with the vast majority of those who have moved to the nation from abroad very positive about having achieved their goal of getting residency and even citizenship in Canada.

What does this mean to a retiree?  Well, once you retire it’s almost more important to make friends and get involved in social activities than when you’re younger and can socially interact through work or through your children – therefore the fact that Canada is made up of people from many races, creeds, colours, backgrounds and beliefs makes it far easier for a retiree to meet a diverse range of people and find a group with whom they can make friends and have fun.  If you move to an overseas country that’s only popular with retirees from your home country or even not popular at all, chances are you will be very limited when it comes to the people you can make friends with!

Other positive factors in Canada’s favour include the fact that it is a neutral country not one at war with nations around the world, it has strict gun control laws so you don’t need to worry about your neighbours and strangers being insured by Smith and Weston and generally speaking it has far lower crime levels than most of the rest of the developed countries in the world.  As a retiree you can therefore relax, put your feet up and feel safe in your own home and when you’re out on the streets.

The cost of living in Canada – including the cost of real estate, cars, petrol, taxes etc., is far lower than in America or Britain…Canada believes in freedom of speech and expression; Canadians have liberal attitudes towards people’s beliefs, religion, and sexuality; Canada is a friendly country and what’s more, Canada is a vast, beautiful nation with an interesting history, fabulous culture, diverse wildlife, vast, wide open spaces, exciting chic and cosmopolitan cities and it offers a retiree a great quality of life.