Benczik Kavanagh Blog

For many seniors in Markham, leaving the family home doesn't necessarily mean leaving the community you've spent decades calling home.

It may mean trading stairs and yard work for a bungalow. Moving into a spacious condominium where everything is on one level. Choosing a 55+ community with neighbours at a similar stage of life. Or finding a retirement residence where meals, housekeeping and additional support are available when you need them.

The important thing to understand is that senior living isn't one type of housing.

Markham offers a wide range of choices, and the right one depends on how independently you want to live, how much home maintenance you want to take on, the lifestyle you're looking for and whether you want access to additional support in the future.

Here are some of the options worth exploring.

Swan Lake Village: Independent Living With a Strong Sense of Community

Swan Lake Village, near 16th Avenue and Ninth Line, has become one of Markham's most recognizable choices for older adults who want to remain independent while leaving some of the responsibilities of a traditional detached home behind.

The gated condominium community includes bungalow and townhome-style properties as well as apartment-style condominium suites. That variety can be particularly appealing to seniors who don't necessarily want to move directly from a detached house into a high-rise.

Exterior maintenance is handled through the condominium corporations, and residents have access to an extensive collection of recreational and social amenities, including indoor and outdoor pools, fitness and recreation spaces, tennis and pickleball courts, walking areas and numerous resident-run clubs.

For someone who wants to continue owning their home while gaining a more social, lower-maintenance lifestyle, Swan Lake Village can provide an interesting middle ground.

Austin Drive: More Space Without the House

One of the biggest adjustments when leaving a longtime family home can be the loss of space.

That's why established condominiums such as the Walden Pond buildings at 25 and 55 Austin Drive, near Markville Mall, can be worth considering.

Many of the suites are considerably larger than what you'll find in newer condominium developments. That can make the transition easier for someone who still wants a proper dining room, room for visiting family, storage and comfortable living space, but no longer wants to maintain a detached property.

The location also puts residents close to Markville Mall, parks and trails, transit, shopping and many of the services they've likely used for years.

For an active senior who wants conventional homeownership with fewer maintenance responsibilities, an established condominium can be one of the simplest transitions from a house.

The trade-off is that older buildings need to be evaluated carefully. Maintenance fees, reserve funds, upcoming capital projects and what is included in those fees matter just as much as the suite itself.

Unionville: When Walkability and Lifestyle Matter

Some seniors aren't looking for a quieter lifestyle. They're looking for a more convenient one.

Unionville and the broader Highway 7 corridor offer a growing selection of condominium choices close to restaurants, shopping, parks, cultural amenities and transit.

For someone who travels frequently, a condominium can also offer the ability to lock the door and leave without worrying about lawns, snow or many of the maintenance issues associated with a detached home.

The question here isn't necessarily, "How small should I go?"

A better question may be, "What do I want to be able to walk or drive to easily for the next ten or fifteen years?"

Thinking about location through that lens can change which buildings and neighbourhoods make the most sense.

Wyndham Gardens: Understanding the Life-Lease Option

One of Markham's more interesting senior housing choices is Wyndham Gardens Apartments of Unionville at 100 Anna Russell Way.

Wyndham Gardens is a not-for-profit 55+ life-lease community affiliated with Unionville Home Society. It contains 122 suites, ranging from approximately 700-square-foot one-bedroom units to two-bedroom-plus-den suites of approximately 1,550 square feet. Residents live independently and have access to common spaces including lounges, activity rooms, a library, billiards room, community garden and outdoor patio.

Its Unionville location is another attraction. The Unionville Community Centre for Seniors is next door, public transit serves the campus, and Main Street Unionville and other everyday amenities are nearby.

But what exactly is a life lease?

It isn't the same as buying a condominium, and it isn't the same as renting an apartment.

With a life lease, you purchase an interest in the property that gives you the right to occupy your suite, often for your lifetime. The sponsoring organization continues to own the property. Residents generally make an upfront investment and pay ongoing monthly maintenance fees.

For some seniors, the appeal is significant: less responsibility for property maintenance, a community designed specifically for older adults and the opportunity to retain an equity-like financial interest rather than simply paying rent.

There are important differences from condominium ownership, however. Life leases are governed by their individual agreements, so prospective purchasers should carefully understand the financial structure, resale provisions, fees and other terms and obtain independent legal advice before buying.

For the right person, a life lease can be an excellent option. It simply needs to be understood before making the move.

Retirement Living: When Services Become Part of the Decision

For some seniors, the next move isn't about buying another property at all.

Retirement residences such as Amica Swan Lake and Amica Unionville offer a different model, where accommodation is combined with services, amenities and varying levels of support.

This can appeal to someone who wants to eliminate more of the day-to-day responsibilities of living independently, such as cooking, housekeeping and property maintenance, while gaining access to social programming and assistance if their needs change.

It's important not to confuse Amica Swan Lake with Swan Lake Village. Despite the similar names and proximity, they represent very different housing choices. Swan Lake Village is a residential condominium community, while Amica Swan Lake is a retirement residence.

For some seniors, retirement living may be the right next step. For others, a conventional condominium, life lease or adult lifestyle community may make far more sense.

Start With the Lifestyle, Not the Property

After more than 35 years of helping people buy and sell homes throughout Markham and the surrounding communities, we've learned that there isn't one "best" place for seniors to live.

There is only the option that best fits you.

A healthy, active senior who spends winters somewhere warmer may want a lock-and-leave condominium. Someone else may love the community atmosphere of Swan Lake Village. A senior who wants independent living surrounded by other older adults might find a life lease at Wyndham Gardens appealing. Someone who no longer wants to cook or manage a household may prefer retirement living.

And for some people, staying in their existing home remains the right decision.

Before looking at properties, consider a few practical questions: How important are stairs? Do you still drive? How close do you want to be to family, shopping and healthcare? Do you want organized activities and a built-in social community? How much home maintenance do you want? And how might those answers change over the next five or ten years?

Those questions often tell you more about where you should live next than square footage does.

At the Benczik Kavanagh Real Estate Team, we've spent decades working in Markham and helping families navigate these kinds of transitions. If you're beginning to think about your next move, you don't need to have the answer yet.

Sometimes the best first step is simply understanding what your current home is worth and seeing the different options available to you right here in Markham.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best places for seniors to live in Markham?

It depends on the type of lifestyle and support you're looking for. Options include conventional condominiums around Austin Drive and Unionville, adult lifestyle communities such as Swan Lake Village, 55+ life-lease communities such as Wyndham Gardens, and full-service retirement residences such as Amica Swan Lake and Amica Unionville.

What is a life lease in Ontario?

A life lease allows you to purchase an interest in a property that gives you the right to occupy a particular unit, often for your lifetime, rather than owning the unit itself as you would with a condominium. Life leases are frequently operated by not-for-profit organizations and designed for older adults.

Is Wyndham Gardens a retirement home?

No. Wyndham Gardens is a 55+ life-lease community designed for seniors who are able to live independently, with or without supports. It is affiliated with Unionville Home Society and offers private suites along with shared social and recreational amenities.

Is Swan Lake Village the same as Amica Swan Lake?

No. Swan Lake Village is an adult lifestyle condominium community. Amica Swan Lake is a retirement residence offering accommodation, services and varying levels of support. Although they are located near one another, they are distinctly different senior living options.