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Cool50's avatar
Cool50
Explorer
May 02, 2016

Seeking recommendations - Ontario

Hi fellow RVers. We will be retiring in a few years and don't know where. Our ideal town would have 2000 - 10000 people, a grocery store, a hardware store, some basic medical services (Dr, dentist, pharmacy, not to far away from a veterinarian)an active involved welcoming community and a friendly watering hole that serves breakfast (no we don't (normally) drink alcohol with breakfast, but would like a place where we can get breakfast in the morning and a drink and a bite in the evening ;))
This summer will be our first foray into what we think is our target area; between HWY 7 and the 401, between Peterbourough-ish and Brockville-ish.
We would like to spend about a week somewhere inside this box so that we can drive around to get an initial feel for a bit of the area. Can anyone recommend a place that can handle a 40 ft motorhome (prefer full hook-ups, but will give up on sewer)and allows pets (2 cats)? We don't need a lot of amenities and would prefer not to be right near the 401.
Thanks in advance for all suggestions on camping (and perhaps on a community to move to).
  • Check out tippers family campground. It is on the skottamatta river with river front sites. It is right on hwy 7 just outside of the town of tweed. It is the exactly the type of town you mentioned and there are a number of small towns within a 10 min drive or so.
  • ^ if your coming down here (im in lasalle just outside of Windsor) Essex county has several great little towns that would meet your requirements and pelee island!
  • Not your target area, but have you considered the southwest Ontario area? It's the "banana belt" in winter compared to your target area and the prices are reasonable. A number of folks we know in the GTA have moved there and pocketed mucho cash from selling their GTA homes. It's also a quick run to the US border for snowbirds heading to the US in winter if that's in your retirement plans. Tillsonburg, Delhi, Port Dover etc come to mind.
  • dieharder wrote:
    There is also a small town further north called Athens that I believe has all the amenities you describe, just no idea on camping right in that town. It is driving distance from the KOA in Mallorytown since we did a little drive tour while camping there once.


    Rock Island Camp is near Athens. It is open now but under constant development; it was wilderness two or three years ago but the new owners are building it into a beautiful place. We camped there last year - here's our trip log entry with links to photos and Google Maps location.
  • There is also a small town further north called Athens that I believe has all the amenities you describe, just no idea on camping right in that town. It is driving distance from the KOA in Mallorytown since we did a little drive tour while camping there once.
  • The KOA in Mallorytown is walking distance to grocery and the type of watering hole you describe. LCBO in the grocery store. Just can't comment on veterinary and medical services since I only spent a few weekends there. Not far from the Gananoque casino, if you're into that kind of thing.

    It is right off the 401, but you can't hear a lick of it.