SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
More seniors are staying in the city as they grow old instead of moving south, which means a bit more of a housing crunch for them.

Merlyn Williams is the new president of the Yellowknife Seniors' Society. He has nothing but good things to say about the city and its senior community. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

"It's expensive to live here," said Merlyn Williams, newly elected president of the Yellowknife Seniors' Society.

The group met for an annual general meeting last week, during which a packed room was full of positivity despite some talk of the tough living conditions in the North.

Late last year, Avens seniors' community CEO Jeff Renaud said the number of seniors in the territory is expected to double by 2031, and the over-60 population in the city is expected to triple.

"A lot of senior people retired south, particularly to warmer places like Kelowna and Kamloops (B.C.), but now some decide to stay here," said Williams, who has spent 48 years in Yellowknife.

"It's a lovely place to live. The seniors have all kinds of things to do."

The only detriment is the cost of living, but Williams thinks that's almost a bigger problem for young people.

"It's tough," he said. "I don't think you'll ever find 'affordable' housing. I don't think there are people suffering. Everybody here is being looked after, whether they live in an apartment or Avens Court."

Marg Green has been in the city for 15 years, and it took her five years on a waiting list to get a spot in Northern United Place.

That said, benefits such as extended health care and subsidized rent make her think Yellowknife is a bargain compared to some places.

"I was going to move to Grande Prairie but there (were no benefits)," said Green. "It was terrible for a senior."

She said there's a big demand for seniors' housing.

"A lot (of people) leave on account of the high cost of living," said Green.

Joan Hirons said the city is a nice mix between small town community and big-city services.

"I really enjoy how laid back and quiet it is here compared with a big city," said Hirons, who moved north from Toronto 21 years ago. "Yellowknife has a lot of facilities that a big city would have because it's a capital city."

The only thing missing is an opera house.

"The theatre we have here, although most of it is amateur, is excellent," she said.

Despite the cost of living, Green said the community makes it worth staying.

"The people in Yellowknife, especially our seniors, they're good friends," said Green. "The people are good in Yellowknife. We're all one big family over there at the Baker Community Centre. I came up to look after my grandson and my family's gone and I'm still here."