Just as European explorers “discovered” an already inhabited North America, Canada’s national newspaper has stumbled across Creston.
Readers of the Globe and Mail (story on Globe and Mail's website here) have singled out Creston in the newspaper’s “third round” of stories on Canada’s top retirement destinations.
In a story on Monday by retirement property editor Christine Mushka, the author comments, “Arguably the most prosperous generation North American has ever seen, baby boomers are changing the expectations of retirement, including where they live. The unrelenting upward pressure on home prices, especially in Canada’s largest urban centres, works in their favour.”
After citing high real estate prices in Canada’s major urban centres, Mushka said many retirees are seeking options.
“At these kinds of prices, many baby boomers can afford to cash out of city properties and adventure to smaller centres where retirement savings stretch further. It’s not an easy move. It may not work for every retiree.”
Six popular small retirement destinations are mentioned, including Creston. Others include Osoyoos, B.C.; Chatham-Kent, Ont.; Gimli, Man., Port Stanley, Ont.; and Rothesay, N.B.
“The town of Creston, B.C., is already home to a large number of retirees, and they keep on coming, especially from Alberta,” writes Kerry Gold. “They are drawn to a microclimate that means winter temperatures seldom dip far below freezing, and there’s hardly any snow. They also like the fact that Creston is the epitome of the idyllic small town, with a population of about 5,000. It’s got its own little hospital, courses available at the College of the Rockies, five nearby ski hills, and is a short drive to the Idaho border – where locals regularly fuel up in the town of Porthill. As well, property prices are at least 50 per cent cheaper compared with Calgary or Vancouver, with acreages selling quickly.”
Feature stories about people who have retired to each of the selected locales are promised soon.