11 Best Alberta Towns For Retirees
Whether relocating from out of province or simply looking to move towns, Alberta is one of the best places in Canada to make your retirement years the best they can be. Boasting top-notch healthcare, the lowest tax rates of any province, and some of the prettiest landscapes in North America, Alberta retirees can embrace peace of mind and put more time toward leisure. Whether prioritizing affordability or proximity to the Canadian Rockies, what you want most out of your golden years will help determine which of these incredible towns is right for you. Each of these 11 Alberta towns is ideal for seniors seeking a high-quality life, excellent hospitality, and truly spectacular natural surroundings.
Sylvan Lake
Named one of the “Best Places to Retire in Canada” by RE/MAX Realty in 2025, Sylvan Lake offers a small-town feel with big-city amenities close by. Located in central Alberta along its beautiful namesake lake, the town’s atmosphere is laid-back and lake-centered. Sylvan Lake Park boasts waterfront walking trails, boat launches, and a wheelchair-accessible beach mat so everyone can enjoy fun in the sand.
Right across from the park marina, the Sylvan Lake Golf Club is another serene hub for seniors to enjoy during Alberta’s warmer months. Later, when the cool winds of autumn take hold, the city of Red Deer is under 30 minutes away, offering amenities like the Parkland Mall. Conveniently, healthcare is also within comfortable driving distance at facilities like the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
Chestermere
Similar to Sylvan Lake, Chestermere is an easygoing lake town close to big-city amenities and healthcare. Despite being manmade, Chestermere Lake gives the town a natural atmosphere at waterfront spaces like Sunset Beach and John Peake Memorial Park. The 7.8-mile Chestermere Lake Loop is also a great way to stay active and connect with the town’s natural surroundings.
Additionally, with Chestermere’s proximity to Calgary, even larger outdoor spaces and healthcare facilities are just a 30-minute drive away. With this manageable distance, parks and facilities like Heritage Park and Rockyview General Hospital can be easily reached in the city before returning to the comforts of a small town back home.
Fort Macleod
If affordable housing is your priority in retirement, consider the quaint river town of Fort Macleod. Located in southern Alberta along the Oldman River, Fort Macleod is a town of simple pleasures, whether catching a show at the Empress Theatre or teeing off at the Fort Macleod Golf Course. It also houses more popular locales like The Fort Museum, one of Southern Alberta’s top-visited attractions.
Overall, Fort Macleod is the perfect place for retirees seeking a small-town lifestyle paired with affordability. According to Royal LePage, as of September 2025, Fort Macleod’s average home listing price was $336K. By comparison, the Alberta Real Estate Association reported Alberta’s total residential average price at $502K in August, making Fort Macleod a great place to save.
Pincher Creek
Around 30 minutes southwest of Fort Macleod, Pincher Creek is an ideal retirement town for budget-conscious, nature-loving seniors. As of September 2025, the average cost of a home here was $409K, making it well below the provincial average. The town is also close to the Canadian Rockies, making it an uncrowded gateway to the Castle Mountain Resort. A ski hub in the winter and hiking paradise in the summer, the mountains are a blissful escape year-round.
From spring through fall, Pincher Creek locals can also drive to the nearby Crowsnest River, a picturesque tributary of the Oldman. The trout-filled waterway is popular for fishing and hiking, with a range of trails for all abilities. Even the easiest paths lead to stunning views, like the 39-foot Lundbreck Falls waterfall.
Canmore
Perched over 4,000 ft high in the Canadian Rockies’ eastern slopes, Canmore is one of Canada’s most breathtaking mountain towns. In 2025, Calgary Homes dubbed it one of Alberta’s “6 Best Cities for Retirement,” celebrating Canmore’s mountain scenes and proximity to Banff National Park. Just minutes away from its turquoise lakes and rugged peaks, every inch of the park is as pretty as a postcard.
More locally, mountain backdrops can also be enjoyed at spots like the Canmore Nordic Centre, Canmore Golf & Curling Club, and Riverside Trail along the beautiful Bow River. But bear in mind, all this spellbinding beauty comes at a steep price, with homes here averaging above $1 million. However, if your budget allows, life in this Alberta town truly feels like its own slice of paradise.
Peace River
For breathtaking scenes at a lower price, Peace River is a serene and scenic river town in northwest Alberta. With homes here averaging around $355K as of September 2025, affordability is one of Peace River’s greatest features. Better yet, the town is absolutely stunning, boasting access to three converging waterways. The Heart, Peace, and Smoky Rivers can all be accessed and enjoyed in town, whether hiking to the Sagitawa Lookout or dining at Peace River Brewing. In the winter months, Peace River also comes alive with the Misery Mountain Ski Area, a laid-back place to ski, snowboard, or snowshoe.
Wetaskiwin
Wetaskiwin, the “smallest city in the province,” offers even greater affordability, paired with the comforts of a close-knit community. As of the 2021 census, under 13,000 friendly people call Wetaskiwin home, and it truly feels more town than city. Whether picnicking at By-the-Lake Park or staying fit at the Manluk Regional Aquatics and Fitness Centre, city crowds are nowhere in sight, replaced with a slow pace and small-town feel.
On the other hand, with Edmonton less than an hour away, the capital city’s amenities and attractions are well within reach. Plus, with Wetaskiwin homes averaging just $315K, it is easy to put more money toward leisure in Edmonton, whether visiting the Muttart Conservatory or the Art Gallery of Alberta.
Okotoks
Much like Wetaskiwin, Okotoks is the perfect place to retire if you want a small-town lifestyle with big-city amenities nearby. This charming Sheep River town is just 24 miles south of Downtown Calgary, including the city's vibrant main street and pedestrian mall, Stephen Avenue. But on a more day-to-day basis, Okotoks is the perfect place to retire if you want tranquil, natural surroundings right in your backyard.
Whether strolling the Sheep River waterfront, teeing off at the D'Arcy Ranch Golf Club, or hiking to the Okotoks Erratic “Big Rock,” daily life in Okotoks is pretty as a picture and oh-so relaxing. With life this laid-back, it is easy to forget Calgary’s over 1 million residents are just 30 minutes away.
Cochrane
About an hour northwest of Okotoks, Cochrane is a town with a Wild West spirit near Calgary, offering an eclectic mix of rural and urban charms. With the Rockies on one side and Calgary on the other, active seniors can enjoy Cochrane’s great outdoors or drive to the city for dinner at restaurants like Le Petit Chef in under 40 minutes.
Due to its ranching past, cowboy culture is a hallmark of Cochrane, visible in events and attractions like the Cochrane Lions Labour Day Rodeo and Historic Cochrane Ranche. In warmer months, guided horseback adventures are also fun with Saddle Peak Trail Rides, spotlighting the distant Canadian Rockies. But even if cowboys and horses are not your thing, Cochrane is a gateway to gorgeous natural scenes at spots like Big Hill Springs Provincial Park, a picturesque hiking area with waterfalls and springs.
Drumheller
For a unique change of setting, Drumheller is an extraordinary town in the Canadian Badlands, self-described as the “Dinosaur Capital of the World.” While most associate the town with its prehistoric-themed attractions like the World's Largest Dinosaur statue, it is also an underrated retirement destination. As of September 2025, homes here averaged $377K, short of the provincial average despite housing some of Alberta’s coolest natural landmarks and landscapes.
For the days when you need a break from busy tourist sites, Drumheller’s vast and grand outdoors helps keep crowds spread out. Locals can hike to the Willow Creek Hoodoos, an epic collection of rock spires, or get lost in the beauty of Midland Provincial Park. This “otherworldly landscape of the Canadian Badlands” features picnic areas and paved trails to explore year-round.
Hinton
Known for its proximity to Jasper National Park, Hinton is one of the most peaceful and beautiful towns in the country. Situated in the Athabasca River valley of west-central Alberta, this foothills town is a gateway to Jasper’s dramatic landmarks and Rocky Mountain peaks, from the Athabasca Glacier to Mount Columbia. The town itself also offers plenty of senior-friendly outdoor spaces, like the Beaver Boardwalk at Maxwell Lake and Athabasca River Front Park. Paired with the convenience of local health facilities like the Hinton Healthcare Centre, nature lovers and health-focused seniors get their money’s worth in this Alberta town.
Plan Your Alberta Retirement Today
Offering lower taxes, affordable housing, jaw-dropping provincial parks, and cities anchored by art and culture, Alberta is truly one of the best retirement destinations in Canada. While the specific choice of community can feel trickier to decide, these 11 towns will help narrow your search, each boasting innumerable facets and charms for a high quality of life. Whether selecting towns like Wetaskiwin for their affordability, towns like Chestermere for their proximity to healthcare, or towns like Canmore for access to the great Canadian Rockies, no matter which you choose, each will make your golden years comfortable and full of daily adventures.
