Downsizing in Amherstburg, Ontario

Downsizing in Amherstburg: what to know first

Amherstburg's landmarks include Fort Malden National Historic Site at 100 Laird Avenue. Parks Canada describes it as the location of the British stronghold on the Detroit frontier during the War of 1812 and the Rebellions of 1837-1838. The Town describes a waterfront and heritage-designated buildings, which affects what you can change on an older house.

Amherstburg is a lower-tier town in Essex County, separate from the City of Windsor. See the Windsor and Essex region page for how the region fits together, or compare Windsor and Kingsville. Messages through Ontario Downsizing go to real estate agents on the operating team at eXp Realty.

Condos, townhouses and bungalows in Amherstburg

Smaller-home options include condominiums, townhouses and bungalows. We do not name buildings or quote prices, because we have not verified either. Heritage designation can limit renovations on older houses, and our guide to preparing an older home for sale covers what buyers and inspectors look for. If you are weighing a condominium against a house, read condo, townhouse or house and the condo buying guide.

Getting around Amherstburg: Route 605 to Windsor

The Town's transit page says service runs in partnership with Transit Windsor on Route 605 between Windsor and Amherstburg, with three buses a day, seven days a week. All buses are wheelchair accessible with bike racks, and the page lists 15-day and 30-day unlimited passes. The Town does not list senior fares on that page, so ask Transit Windsor at 519-944-4111.

Three trips a day will not suit everyone, so most households will plan around a car. Read getting around Ontario after 65 for licence renewal rules and options if you stop driving.

Hospitals and health care near Amherstburg

The Town lists the Amherstburg Health Care Centre at 433 Sandwich Street South and the Amherstburg Family Health Team at 721 Front Road South. For hospital care it names Windsor Regional Hospital, whose Metropolitan Campus is at 1995 Lens Avenue and Ouellette Campus at 1030 Ouellette Avenue, and Erie Shores HealthCare in Leamington, which has a 24-hour emergency department. Having a clinic nearby does not mean it is accepting new patients, so ask.

Everyday life: waterfront, recreation and services

The Libro Credit Union Centre has a walking track and a dog park, and the Town lists library services and park rentals. Fort Malden hosts programs and events, and its hours change by season, so check Parks Canada's page first.

The Town's moving-to-Amherstburg page also covers practical matters worth checking before you sign. It says the Town operates its own water treatment plant, that power comes from Hydro One and Essex Powerlines Corporation and that gas comes from Enbridge Gas. Internet providers vary by address, so confirm which ones serve a home you like, particularly if you rely on video calls with doctors or family. Three school boards serve the area, which matters mostly if grandchildren will visit or you plan to sell to a buyer with children.

Compare this with your current home. A smaller house on the waterfront side of town may have a different insurance profile and different maintenance needs from a condominium inland. Our step-by-step downsizing guide and guide to estimating net proceeds show how to set a budget before you view anything.

Flood mapping near the Detroit River in Amherstburg

Amherstburg's shoreline is regulated by the Essex Region Conservation Authority. Its interactive map shows the regulated-area limit and the 1:100 year flood line, for visual reference only. Essex County and the authority have also published draft shoreline natural hazard mapping covering the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. Look up any address near the water, then read flood and storm insurance when downsizing and get quotes before you remove conditions.

Property tax and land transfer tax in Amherstburg

We could not find a senior property tax deferral or rebate on the Town's pages, and we do not want to guess. Ontario requires municipalities to provide relief from reassessment-related increases for low-income seniors and owners with disabilities, so ask the Town's tax office what applies now. The Town does publish a heritage property tax rebate, which depends on the building rather than your age.

Your buyer pays land transfer tax on your sale, and there is no municipal land transfer tax here. You pay it on your next purchase: see land transfer tax in Ontario and costs and taxes. Use the net proceeds calculator for an estimate.

Questions to ask before you buy in Amherstburg

• Is the address inside the regulated area or near the 1:100 year flood line?
• Is the building heritage designated, and what does that restrict?
• Where would I get emergency care, and how far is it at the hour I would travel?
• Is the clinic nearby accepting patients?
• Can I manage on the Route 605 timetable, or will I rely on a car?
• What relief does the Town offer on property tax, and what are its limits?

When you are ready, contact us.