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Last year, readers favourited, reTweeted, shared on social media and otherwise had strong opinions on our first Canadian retirement property series. Thank you.

This year we combed through your comments to come up with a new list of seven locales that you think Canadians who are aged 50-plus should consider for retirement.

(Oddly, Yorkton, Sask., my hometown, wasn't among them. Was it because the average maximum temperature there last January was only -11.5 C, according to Environment Canada? Even if the days were remarkably sunny. And it was a dry kind of cold.)

Please leave us more suggestions about great places to retire. Tell us why others should know about your community.

In addition to this introductory image list, this series will contain longer articles by Globe contributing writers about these seven locales: Crystal Beach, Ont.; Sechelt, B.C.; Bay of Quinte, Ont.; Nanaimo, B.C.; Sarnia, Ont.; Brockville, Ont., Stratford, Ont.

Kevan D. Ashworth/The Canadian Press

1) Crystal Beach – resort area undergoes a revival

Lifeguards gather up swimmers at dusk in Crystal Beach, Ont., where big-city folk are snapping up homes. This once-bustling resort area, population 3,800, is located on the shores of Lake Erie in the southern part of the Niagara region. Sales and price figures suggest that the area’s market is healthy, but not out of control. In the past three years, buyers from Toronto and the surrounding Greater Toronto Area cities of Oakville, Mississauga and Burlington are making their way to Crystal Beach. For the price of a downtown condo, buyers can get more property in Crystal Beach that comes with an outdoor-focused lifestyle. – David Israelson

Bruce Lasuta

2) Sechelt – condos on the Sunshine Coast

The B.C. seaside town of Sechelt, with its scenic Davis Bay pier, is undergoing a mini condo boom. The Sunshine Coast community of 9,400 has been buoyed by recent boosts to major infrastructure and talk of an expanded airport. As almost one-third of residents are older than 65, developers are creating diverse housing opportunities for seniors who don’t want traditional detached houses. And if they do want a house, a median price of $344,000 makes it a viable option for Lower Mainland residents aiming to cash out and still have money in the bank. – Kerry Gold

Don Denton/The Canadian Press

3) Nanaimo – harbour city without the hassle

With a population of 83,000, the harbour city of Nanaimo, B.C., has all the amenities of a big city without the unaffordable real estate prices of big city living. Here a float plane takes off from the waterfront that features low-rise and high-rise condo buildings. The city is a draw for retirees who want a quieter life without giving up basic amenities, including access to major airports, universities, hospitals, restaurants, shopping districts and an active arts scene. The city has responded to its growth with a makeover of its historic downtown and is also planning transportation and other upgrades to the hospital area. As well, city council recently approved a new ferry service between Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver that would take only 68 minutes, with discounts for seniors. – Kerry Gold

Wikipedia

4) Stratford – a place for Shakespeare and Bieber

For a small-scale town of 32,000, Stratford, Ont., has two international claims to fame – home of the Stratford Festival, the largest classical repertory theatre in North America, and birthplace of teen pop star-turned-bad-boy Justin Bieber. There are other, lesser-known draws that include a four-season arts, music and amateur theatre scene; an emerging foodie focus with specialty festivals; and a fast-growing satellite campus of the University of Waterloo. Stratford does not market itself as a retirement destination and has relatively high-cost housing, but still attracts a stream of older, often affluent newcomers seeking a lifestyle alternative within a 90-minute drive of Toronto. – Jennifer Lewington

Wikipedia

5) Sarnia – why retire here?

Two words: inexpensive homes. Sell a $700,000 home in Toronto and use $329,900 to purchase a three-bedroom bungalow on half an acre across from Lake Huron. The median age in this mature community of 129,000 is 54.20 so you’ll have plenty of retiree company. Invest the roughly $370,000 to create monthly cash flow. Nature enthusiasts who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle can take advantage of numerous trails, nearby beaches or take a swing at the 20 area golf courses. – Kira Vermond

Bay of Quinte Tourism

6) Bay of Quinte – ‘Move over Muskoka’

Some say it’s as nice as Muskoka, without the sky-high housing prices. Located a couple hours east of Toronto, the Bay of Quinte region has been courting retirees with senior-focused developments and investments in health-care infrastructure. The area includes mid-sized city Belleville, smaller communities, such as Brighton and Greater Napanee, and the picturesque towns and villages of Prince Edward County. Here is a new home, designed by local developers in the traditional Ontario farmhouse style, near Brighton. The area is a prime spot for foodies and wine connoisseurs, with festivals celebrating artisanal cheese, microbreweries and more than 30 wineries. Outdoor pursuits include fishing, bird watching and several top-notch golf courses. And then there’s the jewel of the area: Sandbanks Provincial Park, with its unique dune topography and sandy beaches, great for entertaining the visiting grandchildren. – Shelley White

Darcy Cheek/The Canadian Press

7) Brockville – Network on 1,000 islands

Billed as the “City of 1,000 Islands,” Brockville is emerging as a retirement hotspot for people who crave life on the water. This city on the St. Lawrence River – population 22,000 – is one of the country’s oldest communities. Because it’s only a 50-minute drive to Ottawa, Brockville benefits from proximity to the big city without the high housing prices. Here are fall colours on Blockhouse Island on the city’s waterfront. Boating enthusiasts are drawn by the famed network of islands in the St. Lawrence River, while nature-lovers and hikers can enjoy the area’s ample parklands. Brockville also boasts an abundance of arts-related activities, from Shakespeare on the banks of the St. Lawrence to the annual Jazz Festival. Plus, there’s St. Lawrence College for retirees interested in continuing their education. – Shelley White