Moving to Calgary from Ontario is like a shortcut to a comfortable retirement.

Currently, 2 bedroom apartments in Calgary are starting at just $180,000, townhouses starting around $300,000, a semi-detached home with basement starting at $380,000, or a detached house with full basement and yard starting at $400,000.

You could have money left over for your retirement fund after selling your house in Toronto and purchasing in Calgary.

Beautiful Scenery

Calgary is located just minutes from the Rocky Mountains of Banff, which means you can easily access some of the most stunning natural scenery in Canada. From hiking and skiing to camping and fishing, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.

Calgary is one of the sunniest cities in Canada, with over 300 days of sunshine per year. This means you can enjoy more outdoor activities and spend less time indoors due to inclement weather.

Big City Living But Small Town Atmosphere

Calgary ranks #3 on The Economist's 2022 World’s Most Liveable Cities list

Calgary's friendly and welcoming culture is a result of a combination of factors, including its strong sense of community, diversity, outdoor lifestyle, entrepreneurial spirit, and safe and clean neighborhoods.

Often you’ll see residents describe Calgary as living in a big city but with the tight-knit small town community.

How Do You Get Started?

If you’re ready for a change, congratulations! Here’s how you get started:

1. Get an estimate on your current house value

2. Budget what you’ll need to retire

3. Discover homes in the Calgary area that meet your living needs and fit your budget

4. Put your current house on the market

5. Make an offer on your perfect home in Calgary

6. Make moving arrangements

7. Take a nice, long break

1. Get a Home Valuation

The first step is figuring out where you are financially. For this you’ll want a home valuation.

An estimate can be quickly calculated by looking at nearby home values, sales price history, and real estate market trends.

A full appraisal will have an accredited Realtor do a walk-through of your house for a more accurate valuation.

Estimate vs. Appraisal

Estimates are great for when you’re just getting started, as it gives you a ball-park number to work with.

When you’re more serious about selling then you’ll want an accurate number to ensure you’re pricing your house appropriately to have sold within your desired time frame for the most money.

Get A Quick Estimate Today - No Cost or Obligation

I’m a Realtor in Calgary, who has already helped dozens of people just like you smoothly relocate and retire. And the first step, even if you’re just curious, is to find out what your home is worth.

Here’s how it works:

Send me an email, text, or phone call, and I’ll have a licensed Realtor in Ontario do an estimation based on your address.

There’s no commitment or cost required on your part.

No one will need to enter your home, it’s all done online using data from your neighborhood, sales price history, and market trends.

We’ll get back to you with a report in a few days giving you clarity on your current position.

From there it’s completely up to you if you want to move forward. If you’re interested then let’s move onto step 2.

2. Budgeting For The Future

By selling your home in the GTA and purchasing in Calgary you’ll likely have money left for your retirement fund.

This sets the stage for:

• How much would you need to sell your current house for?

• What is the ideal pricing for your new home?

Consider your current assets and expenses to budget for retirement, if you still want to work, the employment situation in Calgary is very positive. 

Lower taxes and cost of living in Calgary will certainly help.

3. Look at Homes in Calgary

Once you have your price range, it’s time to look at what is available.

You can use websites like realtor.ca to get a good look at current housing costs.

I can assist by providing information on the various areas, communities, amenities and access.

I can also provide information on which neighborhoods are best suited for you and which to avoid.

Realtor's have access to home listings before they’re listed publicly.

I’ll work with you to find a house that fits your  budget and living needs so you can make an offer  before the general public - giving you a sharp advantage.

4. Listing and Selling Your Home

This is where the majority of work is done.

Listing and selling your home is multi-step process that your Realtor will mostly take care of. You’ll be informed and ultimately make the final decision in each step.

• Establishing a price for your home with an appraisal

• Understanding the cost of selling your home

• Prepare your home for sale

• Complete pre-listing tasks

• List it for Sale

• Offers and Negotiations

• Contracts

• Conditionals

• Closing

5. Making An Offer

I’ll work hand in hand with you so you can confidently begin making offers on your next home.

We’ll want to make sure we have all finances in order before making an offer. Which means getting pre-approved for a mortgage. (if required)

Listing Prices Are Negotiable

Most of the prices you see homes listed at are not what they sell for.

Realtor's have negotiating power. I always come prepared with market conditions from that neighborhood to determine an appropriate offer. I’ll also give you honest feedback on whether or not this is a good deal.

Paperwork, Legal, Conditionals

When making an offer we will carefully write in terms and conditions that reflect your needs and wants. 

The offer will have conditionals. These are specific terms to be satisfied for the offer to be valid.

Such as;  home inspection to protect you from buying a home that needs costly repairs. Financing condition if you need a mortgage, and Due diligence condition if renovations are to be completed. 

6. Moving Arrangements

Congratulations! You’re ready for your big move.

Looking at the BBB and Google Reviews, I looked at some of the most reputable long-distance movers that specialize in getting you from Ontario to Calgary.

Here’s a few:

• Miracle Movers

• Number 1 Movers Van Lines

• Viktoria Professional Movers

• Centennial Moving

Good movers will have insurance coverage included, transparent pricing, and always be on time.

How Long Is This Process?

There’s no rush. Most retirees to Calgary take months and even years to plan their move.

Once you’ve begun, the entire process can take anywhere from a one month to a full year (or longer).

There’s a variety of factors that play into the time it takes:

• How long your home takes to sell

• Finding the perfect home that fits your needs

• Possession date of the new home

• Booking and arranging movers

I Have More Questions

Of course, there is more to the process of selling your home and moving than I could write here (otherwise this article would be very long!)

Let’s have a conversation, I’d be happy to answer your questions with no obligation at all.

I’ve already helped dozens of people just like you relocate to Calgary.

Things I can help you with today:

• Your home value estimate

• What homes prices are like in Calgary

• Information on various types of homes like acreages, detached and semi detached, etc. 

• Links to important services and amenities in and around Calgary

• Any other questions you would like answered