In the Fall of 2006, my husband Paul retired from his career in Montreal, at which time we packed up and headed West to Vernon, British Columbia, where the majority of his family reside. Not having the equity in pocket upon our arrival in Vernon, we rented accommodations for 3 1/2 years and despite our best efforts to obtain suitable employment that would enable us to remain in Vernon, much to our dismay, we concluded that the exorbitant housing costs in British Columbia far exceeded what our budget could bear.

 

Paul dedicated himself to extensive Internet research in terms of finding the most affordable housing with the best weather offered in Canada. Time and again, Windsor kept rising to the top of the list.

 

As we are retired and would prefer not to have to cut grass and shovel snow, we decided to search for low maintenance, ranch-style townhouse living, so we narrowed our search to include resale homes as well as brand-new townhomes. Through the Internet, we teamed up with Patrick Ouellette of Re/Max Realty, our fabulous Real Estate Agent who agreed to meet us in Windsor just after the Easter long weekend.

 

We arrived in Windsor, late Tuesday night. On Wednesday morning, Patrick showed us several resale townhomes as well as a wonderful new townhouse complex being developed by Mastercraft in East Windsor (Riverside). On Thursday, we signed our Agreement to Purchase a brand-new townhouse, for a price far less than an unserviced lot in British Columbia (and we had searched from Mackenzie to Greenwood, to Trail, B.C. and beyond).

 

With mixed feelings, we returned to Vernon a couple of days later and broke the news to our family and friends that we would be moving to Ontario. It was with heavy hearts that we bid our family and friends good-bye at the end of June, 2010 and headed to Windsor to our new home. The discounts offered through the "Retire Here" campaign enabled us to stay at one of Windsor's finest hotels when we came out to search for a home in the Spring and then when we returned and awaited the completion of our new home in June.

 

All this to say my husband and I are thrilled to be part of the growing community of retirees relocating to Windsor. Friends and family from British Columbia who have since visited us have expressed their amazement at the beautiful walking parks, the cleanliness of the city, the friendliness of the people and the variety of the amenities. They were also greatly impressed with the easy accessibility to the United States just minutes away plus an extraordinary road-management system which makes navigation in the area a breeze. But what struck our visitors most were the affordable housing prices and affirmed that we had made the right decision to move East.

 

Thank you for allowing us to post this testimonial. We only hope that this is helpful in piquing others' interest in relocating to the area.

Welcoming experience in Essex

 

Having recently moved from Cobourg, (east of Toronto) and settling in Essex has been a welcoming experience.

 

Affordable housing and shorter winters, as well as being close to our grandchildren were our original reasons for moving to Canada's most southern region. After just moving in, we quickly realized the fresh local produce, the close proximity to the border and the cheaper flights out of Detroit to all of our favourite travel spots.

 

Neighbours are very friendly and there is a much slower pace of life here, and yet we have all the activities and entertainment at our doorstep, without the long commute into Toronto. Surprisingly our taxes are lower without suffering in services and we feel we will be able to afford a comfortable retirement lifestyle. 

My wife and I moved to Windsor in September 2004 within several months of our retirement from the Federal Government. In early 2003 we had purchased a condo apartment while I was still in Hungary which we successfully rented thanks to our great realtor.  

 

We love our condo overlooking the Detroit and Windsor skylines and river. The 'lake' marine traffic is super and we thoroughly enjoy our water view all year round. Importantly, the sale of our modest town house in Ottawa provided more than ample funds to purchase our condo in Windsor and still put a sizeable chunk of money into our savings.

 

We have since then both got busy volunteering and participating in a wide range of organizations in the city. Mind you we also have the benefit of having three lovely daughters with families ie grandchildren across the river from us. We cross the border at least on a weekly basis and sometimes several times a week. Detroit Metro Airport is also excellent and convenient to use as we continue to travel extensively. 

 

Windsor is a great transportation hub giving direct access onto Interstate 75 and the road south to Florida. Mind you the drive up to Toronto and on to Ottawa is also convenient on the 401 and we have used Via to do both trips plus go on to Quebec.

 

Despite our full lives, when we saw "Ye Olde Walkerville Bed and Breakfast" up for sale we could not resist the challenge. This beautiful Victorian era property is in great shape and has been a real pleasure for us as its new owners (www.walkervillebb.com). We invite you to stay with us as your hosts when you visit the Windsor Essex region.

 

New to city and haven't looked back

 

My husband and I just moved to Windsor this January from Toronto and we have not looked back. I wish that more people could see the possibility, growth, and beauty that Windsor has to offer. We have had so many conversations with relatives of mine who live here and the reaction was "Why did you move here?" or when we decided to move we received "What does Windsor have?"

 

Windsor has so much to offer. We were able to move from a downtown (Young and Eglington) condo to a beautiful home. There is no way that we could have afforded this type of lifestyle in Toronto. On top of that, we never had a desire in Toronto to go to the waterfront because of the traffic and buildings. Here there is so much waterfront beauty to enjoy all across the city.

 

We find the people to be genuinely hospitable, and there is almost no traffic. We're going to continually preach for everyone to take a different look at Windsor and try to see past the negative news, because the grass can be greener on the other side of the fence.

Bob-lo Island:

A Marine Resort Community 

"Actually, Bob-lo is really interesting in that everyone you meet, even people not from the Windor Area, have all been there.

 

I've walked the bones of the place: the dance hall, the chapel, the power house- been through all it. I've also read alot of history on the island and I went as a kid and as a teenager on dates.

 

It's pretty cool but nostalgia will only take you so far. It's really going to be the quality of the project (the Marine Resort Community) and the lifestyle it's going to afford my wife Colleen and I, which we think is pretty terrific."

 

Richard Peddie

President & CEO

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment

 

Approximately 2 years ago, while still enjoying life in our high-rise condominium overlooking the lake in Toronto, we started our search for a condominium bungalow close to a U.S. border. Excellent shopping and golf were very high on our priority list as well as a suitable home with room for our grandchildren to come and visit.

 

Our search ended in early 2008 when we found our "dream retirement home" in Amherstburg, a town with a true sense of community. In addition to finding a perfect location on the picturesque Pointe West Golf Club, the difference in real estate values allowed us to buy a lot more home and free up additional equity for our retirement.

 

We had no idea that the Windsor-Essex area had so much to offer. When our family and many friends visit, a tour of the wineries is a must. Each is unique and has something different to offer. We are also enjoying the many events in the area, including the Harrow Fair, the Amherstburg Santa Claus parade, River Lights and no one wants to miss the Shores of Erie International Wine Festival in early September. As well, many of the sports teams in Windsor-Essex are the best in the Province. We enjoy strolling on the beautiful walkways along the riverfront and if we are looking for more action, a visit to Caesars Casino is a must. We seem to be busier now than when we were working!

 

We agree that the best thing about this area is the people and the sense of "belonging". When anyone in Windsor-Essex really needs help and reaches out to the Community, the people always come through.

 

I think it's fair to say we are both ZOOMERS and loving our new home!

Retiring to the Windsor-Essex region, "CANADAS BEST KEPT SECRET"

Our primary motive for moving to Windsor was to be closer to family and grand children. Little did we know the wonderful life style we would discover. 2 months less winter, 2 months more summer, wonderful summer festivals, professional sports and theatre in Detroit, wineries and market gardens in the county of Essex, a great choice of restaurants, access to two International airports, access to the Great Lakes, a world class Casino with world class entertainment, and most important, affordable housing.

By moving to the Windsor area, we were able to purchase a similar house in Windsor for half the price of our Edmonton home, and use the difference to enhance our retirement income.

We highly recommend other retirees take advantage of the wonderful and affordable life style we enjoy. It really is a great life style for seniors.

Recent report states Windsor area is now the most affordable housing market in Canada.

Photograph by: Dan Janisse, Windsor Star

According to a new national Re/Max survey called First-Time Buyers Report 2009, which compared prices in 32 major Canadian centres, the average Windsor home price has dropped 10 per cent in the last year, from $162,000 to $146,000.

"With prices that are at or near rock bottom, these first-time buyers are taking advantage of current market conditions that make Windsor the country's most affordable housing market," the report states. "...pent-up demand is building in Windsor and the mere hint of labour resolution could send housing sales soaring," according to the survey.

Steve Banyai, a medical executive who is moving from Toronto to Windsor to work as president of Consolidated Health Information Services, along with partner Steve Lindsay consider the difference in home prices significant after purchasing a 5,400-square-foot beauty in LaSalle.

Banyai, who will take possession of his new home April 30 along with partner Steve Lindsay, said, "We looked at the size of the house and property and we said, 'This house in Toronto would be over a million dollars.' "We didn't pay a million dollars, clearly, in Windsor."