Are you a senior or retiree looking to relocate to the beautiful City of Barrie? You may be wondering what the city has to offer in comparison to other nearby towns or cities, especially as a senior citizen. The City of Barrie offers various recreational and general programming for Seniors to help them be physically, mentally, and socially active every day.
Some of these recreational programs include yoga and chair yoga to help you improve strength, flexibility, and balance. The Bone Builder Basics program focuses on showing you how to exercise safely and efficiently using weight training, balance, and agility fitness combinations. Lastly, there are also various Zumba and aquatic fitness classes that provide a low-impact form of exercising that will help build heart and muscle fitness.
As a resident of the City of Barrie, you can also join the 55+ Club which takes place at the Allandale Recreation Centre and Parkview Community Centre. These programs offer a great way for seniors to get out of the house to participate in social activities and engage with members of their community. Some weekly programs offered include book club meetings, line dancing, shuffleboard as well as crafters classes.
During covid, they also organized a virtual program to help those stay connected with their community during the “Stay at Home” order and for those who continue to feel uncomfortable in large social settings. The Seniors Centre Without Walls program connects and engages with seniors through virtual programming run by 55+ center staff and community partners. Seniors can enjoy a variety of activities including fitness, dance, social, wellness seminars, and educational talks. This program is free and open to all seniors that are living within Barrie.
The City of Barrie offers many housing style options from single-family homes to second suites, apartments, and condominiums in many beautiful and quiet neighbourhoods. In addition to Barrie’s prime real estate, there are also plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities like fishing on Kempenfelt Bay, walking along Barrie’s waterfront, boating, and golfing. The City of Barrie also has a vibrant local restaurant scene, especially within downtown Barrie which has various local cafes that are perfect for lunch dates.
In addition to the many lifestyle activities, the city provides quick and easy access to various amenities and services. Barrie has a well-organized public transportation system that connects individuals to every part of the city, as well as a state-of-the-art hospital, and plenty of shopping and services within short distances.
The City of Barrie is a great place to retire because there are many opportunities for seniors to stay active and social every day, and it provides the perfect blend of urban and rural living.
-The BDAR Team