10 Best Towns In The Maritimes For Retirees
The Maritimes are a region of eastern Canada consisting of three provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. These provinces border the Atlantic Ocean and have a history and culture rooted in fishing and shipbuilding. The Maritimes have grown in popularity in recent years, with more people choosing to retire in the region due to many benefits, such as relatively inexpensive real estate, a low cost of living, and pristine natural areas.
The Maritimes' real estate costs are hard to beat elsewhere in the nation. As of August 2025, the average cost to buy a home in Canada was $664,078. In comparison, New Brunswick has a median house listing price of around $350,000, while Nova Scotia's is $465,000, and Prince Edward Island falls between the two at around $400,000. These costs, combined with over 8,500 kilometers of coastline, make the Maritimes both affordable and accessible for those looking to retire somewhere beautiful.
Dieppe (New Brunswick)
Dieppe is located along the Petitcodiac River and is the fourth-largest city in New Brunswick. The Dieppe Market is known for offering a diverse range of goods and products where customers and vendors can get to know one another. For family-friendly entertainment, the Dieppe Arts and Culture Centre hosts a broad array of programmes and live shows, as well as studios for pottery, sculpture, ceramics, and painting, which contributes to the community-based reputation Dieppe holds. Seniors in Dieppe may take advantage of free public transit on Wednesdays and visit Champlain Place, New Brunswick’s largest shopping mall, which has a wide range of retail stores and restaurants.
Seniors will also appreciate Dieppe's proximity to Moncton for access to medical services and other urban amenities. The Moncton Hospital provides emergency, trauma, and specialized health care, as well as a range of other services. While housing prices are slightly higher than the provincial average at around $475,000, this reflects Dieppe's desirable mix of comfort and convenience in Southern New Brunswick.
Miramichi (New Brunswick)
Miramichi is an appealing place for retirees who love the outdoors, thanks to local green spaces like French Fort Cove Nature Park, which is open year-round. Retirees can enjoy hiking, biking, and fishing on the river with the option to rent boats during the summer. History buffs will enjoy touring the Beaverbrook House, which was the childhood home of Lord Beaverbrook (Max Aitken) and the first public library for the town of Newcastle. Today, it is open to the public for tours and showcases historical photographs and artifacts.
The Water Street Farmer’s Market sells handcrafted items and dishes from local food vendors. For seniors requiring additional support, Retirement Miramichi Inc. offers different rental homes from one-bedroom bungalows to four-bedroom houses, depending on each senior’s needs and lifestyle. Seniors who do not require extra support can explore affordable housing options in Miramichi with median costs sitting at around $345,000, while Horizon's Miramichi Regional Hospital offers a full range of health care services on-site, as well as ambulatory services.
Bathurst (New Brunswick)
Bathurst is an appealing option for retirees due to its cheaper real estate in comparison to other places in the province, with a median house listing price of about $321,000. Promenade Waterfront is at the heart of town, and accessible boardwalks allow residents to explore the boutiques, shops, and restaurants year-round, as well as live music in the summer. For family-friendly entertainment, the K.C. Irving Regional Centre hosts a range of events, including local hockey, trade shows, and major musical and cultural events, and it is also home to the Bathurst Sports Hall of Fame.
The Southern Comfort Villa offers assisted living for seniors, including services such as foot care, specialized memory care, and medical escort to appointments, while Chaleur Regional Hospital has 215 beds for patients and offers primary, secondary, regional, and speciality services to patients.
Lunenburg (Nova Scotia)
Lunenburg’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site contributes to its charm and appeal. Despite its elevated status, Lunenburg remains affordable, with homes around and below the provincial average. The town also has a vibrant art scene with many galleries on Lincoln Street, or “Gallery Row,” as it is locally known. Waves & Light celebrates the ocean through different media, such as photographs of the ocean, high-quality metal prints, canvas displays, and prints on tiles. To experience more maritime heritage, the Bluenose II is predominantly docked in Lunenburg and available for deck tours and harbour cruises.
Harbor View Haven has been offering long-term care services to the Lunenburg community for over 45 years. They boast a resident-centered approach to care and offer a myriad of multidisciplinary services, such as nursing, meal plans, dementia care, music therapy, and much more. Alternatively, Fisherman's Memorial Hospital is located in Lunenburg, offering private and semi-private rooms.
Wolfville (Nova Scotia)
Wolfville is yet another Nova Scotian town rooted in history. The Grand-Pre National Historic Site showcases Acadian culture through presentations, displays, guided tours, and a Victorian garden. The Al Whittle Theatre is a 160-seat venue showing a range of films and includes a small art gallery and café in the lobby. Retirees can enjoy life in Wolfville as real estate in the area costs $429,000 on average.
Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens showcases Acadian flora through a series of exhibits, including a walled garden, sandstone lily pools, pathways, and benches with scenic views. The garden is located within the grounds of Acadia University, which contributes to Wolfville's varied and vibrant community. Seniors can benefit from facilities at Wickwire Place, an independent living facility with on-site dining. Eastern Kings Memorial Community Health Centre provides basic health care for the town of Wolfville, and Valley Regional Hospital in nearby Kentville offers emergency and specialty services.
Truro (Nova Scotia)
Truro is a viable option for seniors who enjoy spending time outdoors. Victoria Park is only minutes from downtown and sprawls over 3,000 acres. It features trails leading through gorges, waterfalls, and to scenic lookouts. The Fundy Discovery Site invites visitors to relax on Adirondack chairs and witness the tidal bore of the Bay of Fundy as it rolls through Truro. In comparison to the provincial average, Truro boasts affordable real estate with a median house listing price of around $380,000 in August 2025.
Community events can be enjoyed throughout the year at Civic Square, including ice skating in the winter months. Parkland Truro allows seniors easy access to the town's offerings with a shuttle service, as well as other amenities, such as on-site dining options, a spa, and a movie theatre. The Colchester East Hants Health Centre has inpatient units and operates a wide range of clinics and satellite services.
Liverpool (Nova Scotia)
Liverpool offers a laid-back approach to retirement that is also affordable, with the average cost to buy a home sitting at around $315,000. Seniors can enjoy learning about Liverpool’s Colonial days at the Queen’s County Museum, which features a replica of a Privateer ship and information about the region's Indigenous people, the Mi'kmaq. Fort Point Lighthouse Park is home to the fourth-oldest surviving lighthouse in Nova Scotia and is open seasonally, offering free admission.
Privateer Park is a great place to relax, with oceanfront views and wide open grassy spaces that are suitable for recreational activities. Queen’s General Hospital is located in town, allowing for ease of access to medical facilities when necessary.
Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island)
Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island and offers a strong historical, arts, and cultural background. The Confederation Centre of the Arts explores the origins and evolution of Canada through art galleries, exhibitions, and stage shows. Seniors can enjoy an afternoon exploring Victoria Row, Charlottetown’s pedestrian-only downtown walkway, which features many farm-to-table restaurants, live entertainment, and street vendors. Due to Charlottetown's status and popularity as the capital of Prince Edward Island, real estate is understandably higher than the provincial average at $480,000, but still relatively affordable compared to other capital cities in the Maritimes.
Victoria Park is Charlottetown’s largest park, offering a variety of outdoor activities, including tennis courts, ballparks, and a swimming pool. Andrews Senior Care offers a safe and welcoming environment for seniors with daily activities, including exercise classes and group outings. Queen Elizabeth Hospital is conveniently located in Charlottetown, equipped with 243 beds and capable of providing emergency, surgical, inpatient, and ambulatory care services.
Summerside (Prince Edward Island)
Summerside is Prince Edward Island’s second-largest city and offers great coastal experiences, accompanied by affordable real estate with median house prices of around $365,000. The Harbourfront Theatre is a community hub that is open year-round and hosts a wide variety of events, including comedy shows, plays, and concerts. The Bishop Machine Shop Museum is another piece of Summerside’s industrial history, open seasonally and showcasing a large collection of lathes and other machine tools.
The Baywalk Boardwalk extends along the city’s waterfront and is a great place to take in scenic views or enjoy a picnic. Summerside also boasts a senior-friendly community through the Parkview Senior Citizens Club, which offers a wide range of events for seniors, such as line dancing, bingo, and arts and crafts. Summerside is also home to Prince County Hospital, the second-largest hospital in the province, a 110-bed facility that provides emergency, inpatient, and ambulatory care services.
Montague (Prince Edward Island)
Montague is a small riverfront town with a strong community-focused lifestyle. Housing is more affordable in Montague than in other parts of the province, with costs at an average of $325,000. Artisans Waterfront Market showcases work from local artisans, including jewelry, woodworking, paintings, and pottery. Montague is also home to Prince Edward Island’s first museum, the Garden of the Gulf Museum, with three floors of exhibits, tours, and discounted admission for seniors.
For a leisurely afternoon, you can unwind at Copper Bottom Brewing, an award-winning microbrewery in downtown Montague with weekly entertainment. Seniors can settle in Montague comfortably, knowing that reliable medical care is available should they need it at Kings County Memorial Hospital.
Retire Comfortably in the Maritimes
Retiring in the Maritimes has more to offer than simply a lower cost of living compared to other Canadian provinces. New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are laid-back, community-based, and charming. They allow seniors to be as active as they want, whether that be through scenic coastal walks, partaking in senior-based activities, wandering through museums, or spending a quiet afternoon on the waterfront. Whatever your tastes, there is a home in the Maritimes to suit.
