Retirement Homes in Hamilton

Why retire in Hamilton?

Hamilton, Ontario, is a bustling port city.  Located about 58 km from Toronto, it’s considered to be part of  the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).  The city was, throughout history, known for its focus on manufacturing, including steel and plastic.  However, in recent years, with a well-known and respected university campus and nearby teaching hospital,  it has also developed a great reputation in the areas of medicine, science, and health. 

Population and Demographics

According to the 2016 census, the population of Hamilton was 536,917.  Of that population, those 55 and older account for 30% of the residents of the city.  The number of seniors in the area has led to the addition of several senior living solutions and Retirement Homes in Hamilton in recent years. 

This is also a popular spot for immigrants, with many “visible minorities” calling Hamilton home.  In fact, in 2014 the City Council declared Hamilton to be a “Sanctuary City” for undocumented immigrants, offering safety and security, through access to city-funded services, to all residents regardless of their status. 

Features of Hamilton

There are many well-loved features of Hamilton, both by those who live in Hamilton Retirement Homes (or elsewhere), or regular tourists who make it a habit to come back every season to enjoy it further. 

One of the most popular tourist attractions is the Royal Botanical Gardens.  Appealing to both nature enthusiasts and photographers, many seniors find the Botanical Gardens a great spot to enjoy the beautiful sights, and smells while spending time in the nature trails and sanctuaries.  Another popular attraction/activity in Hamilton is the 100 Waterfalls Trail.  Many enjoy the adventure of searching for and locating the many natural waterfalls of different shapes and sizes, all close to the downtown centre of the city.  

Another interesting venue in Hamilton is the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.  Drawing a lot of visitors every year, it is loaded with information and replicas of warplanes that history enthusiasts enjoy.  Seniors often find it interesting, too, as it is reminiscent of their early lives and “the old way of things”.

Lastly, one of the best features of Hamilton, especially for seniors, is the focus on building new housing options for them.  Through both new construction of Hamilton Retirement Homes as well as the small modern condos built downtown for those who are newly retired, this is a popular, safe place with significant medical resources, enabling Hamilton seniors to find comfort, security, and quality of life.

Historical Relevance

Hamilton has several claims to fame, however, arguably the biggest one is the opening of the very first Tim Hortons in 1964.  The birthplace of Canada’s favourite coffee shop, it’s still bustling today with plenty of tourists coming to see the very first one. 

Safe and affordable, Hamilton Ontario is as popular with tourists as it is with those who call themselves full-time Hamiltonians.  It’s a wonderful spot to enjoy long-term, urban, and culturally diverse living.

Costs of retirement living in Hamilton

Retirement Homes vary in price depending on ownership, location, size, type of room, amenities, and other factors. In general, because Hamilton is a fair sized city, retirement communities in Hamilton will cost more than retirement communities in small nearby outskirt areas. CMHC’s 2020 data indicates that the average rent in Ontario for a 'seniors' residence' is just under $4,000/month. That being said, there are some smaller independently owned homes in Hamilton that will likely cost less, and many others, that will cost more than $4,000/month.  Retirement homes in an average-sized city like Hamilton, will cost in the range of $3,000 and $6,000/month depending on many factors and there will always be some that are lower priced, and some (like large, corporately owned homes or boutique-style homes located in the more exclusive areas of the city) that are higher priced. 

Keep in mind that retirement homes are governed by both the Retirement Homes Act (RHA) and the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) in Ontario. As such, the rent portion of what you pay is under 'rent control guidelines' and the related legislation for 'care homes' under the RTA but, the care portion is not regulated because there no legislation governing care in a private residence. As a result, many homes have two separate price schedules – one for room & board based on the room you want and often some or all meals and usually light housekeeping of some kind, and a separate cost for different types of care packages (which may include personal care,

medications, extra housekeeping, etc.). A tip for those researching Retirement Homes for a loved one, is to ask if there are separate charges for care services, what they are, what it covers. Find out what costs you are responsible for that are not mentioned in the brochures so you can budget accordingly.  As well, ask the person giving you a tour,  when & how much, the last few increases were for care packages. This will assist you in being able to budget for care now and in the future.

If you are interested in comparing the cost of living in retirement home with the cost of aging in place in your own rental or purchased property , you can visit our cost calculator page on SeniorCareAccess.com to print off a comparison chart that you can complete when you are researching Retirement Homes in Hamilton.

For retirement homes in other nearby areas visit:

Retirement Homes in Toronto

Retirement Homes in Niagara

Retirement Homes in Stoney Creek

Retirement Homes in Ancaster

Retirement Homes in Oakville

Retirement Homes in Burlington

Retirement Homes in Mississauga

Retirement Homes in Scarborough

Retirement Homes in Etobicoke

Retirement Homes in North York