Newbie
Posts: 4 
September 5th, 2006, 09:34 AM
I'm interested in getting some feedback on where in Southern Ontario is a reasonable place to live. I know this may sound crazy, but I'm thinking of leaving BC for Ontario.
Currently living in Kelowna, BC. It may sound like paradise, but the place is turning into a mecca for the rich and ultra rich. The average house price is pushing over $400,000 and the costs of everything are starting to skyrocket. A lot of this is being contributed to well-off retired people moving here from other parts of the country, the states and the world. And with it, the snobbery that go's along with it.
I've been out to Ontario back in the 90's and I liked it. Been through Barrie, Kitchener, Hamilton areas, seems nice to me. At least there appears to be a middle class! Anybody have any idea what its like to live in these places?
Im guessing Toronto is expensive, but what about the outlying communities? 905 country I believe its called?
Basically, Im looking to find a city/ community that has a reasonable cost of living that won't be overrun by retiring baby-boomer millionaires. Any and all opinions will be appreciated..
I'm interested in getting some feedback on where in Southern Ontario is a reasonable place to live. I know this may sound crazy, but I'm thinking of leaving BC for Ontario.
Currently living in Kelowna, BC. It may sound like paradise, but the place is turning into a mecca for the rich and ultra rich. The average house price is pushing over $400,000 and the costs of everything are starting to skyrocket. A lot of this is being contributed to well-off retired people moving here from other parts of the country, the states and the world. And with it, the snobbery that go's along with it.
I've been out to Ontario back in the 90's and I liked it. Been through Barrie, Kitchener, Hamilton areas, seems nice to me. At least there appears to be a middle class! Anybody have any idea what its like to live in these places?
Im guessing Toronto is expensive, but what about the outlying communities? 905 country I believe its called?
Basically, Im looking to find a city/ community that has a reasonable cost of living that won't be overrun by retiring baby-boomer millionaires. Any and all opinions will be appreciated..
Newbie
Posts: 19
Location: Ontario
Location: Ontario
September 14th, 2006, 03:09 PM
London for sure. It's got all the resources of a larger city but plenty of nice park space and bike trails through the whole city. The average house price is probably somewhere between 100000 - 200000. There are a ****load of bars and several colleges and one university. You could drive accross the city in a half hour.
Overall a great place to be if you like the accessabilty of the city but not the large populace or inflated prices that come with.
London for sure. It's got all the resources of a larger city but plenty of nice park space and bike trails through the whole city. The average house price is probably somewhere between 100000 - 200000. There are a ****load of bars and several colleges and one university. You could drive accross the city in a half hour.
Overall a great place to be if you like the accessabilty of the city but not the large populace or inflated prices that come with.
Newbie
Posts: 4
October 18th, 2006, 10:32 PM
Thanks for the feedback guys,
I looked at London Ontario on the internet, not bad. Can't be the only resonable place to live in the provence? can it? My GF wants to look at places that are commuting distance from Toronto. She plans on going to school there. I figure Barrie, maybe? or Hamilton. Any ideas.
Thanks
Thanks for the feedback guys,
I looked at London Ontario on the internet, not bad. Can't be the only resonable place to live in the provence? can it? My GF wants to look at places that are commuting distance from Toronto. She plans on going to school there. I figure Barrie, maybe? or Hamilton. Any ideas.
Thanks
Steven Hawking's Tutor
Posts: 4,612 
November 22nd, 2006, 12:59 PM
I lived in Barrie for a long time and am considering moving back there...(I'm in London just now)...
There is however a good deal of difference between the kind of winter you'd experience in Barrie as compared to London...
London is in the banana belt while Barrie is in the "Great White North"...
I lived in Barrie for a long time and am considering moving back there...(I'm in London just now)...
There is however a good deal of difference between the kind of winter you'd experience in Barrie as compared to London...
London is in the banana belt while Barrie is in the "Great White North"...
Newbie
Posts: 1
November 22nd, 2006, 08:50 PM
This'll give you some idea of the house prices in those cities suggested by the posters. Happy hunting.
http://www.mls.ca/PropertySearch.aspx
The thought of 'commuting' into Toronto gives me the shudders. Never mind the cost of the gas - it's those 2 hour plus tie ups when the car just ahead has a fender bender. And then there's snow storms to contend with...good grief!
This'll give you some idea of the house prices in those cities suggested by the posters. Happy hunting.
http://www.mls.ca/PropertySearch.aspx
The thought of 'commuting' into Toronto gives me the shudders. Never mind the cost of the gas - it's those 2 hour plus tie ups when the car just ahead has a fender bender. And then there's snow storms to contend with...good grief!
Newbie
Posts: 1
April 21st, 2008, 08:12 AM
I see that there are a couple of posters in this thread that do or have lived in London, my wife and I have be scouring the mls listings etc.. but the fact is that we have 3 kids and a good neighborhood with a school is of interest, but then again we are considering building new.
Can anyone suggest which are better areas to buy in (looking to spend 270-300 thousand) on a four bedroom?
This has to be the toughest part of moving a family when you don't really know the city you are moving to. We will be looking to rent for a few months when we first get there so that we figure out the neighborhoods etc before making and final decisions but we don't really want to end up renting in an undesirable neighbourhood.
I see that there are a couple of posters in this thread that do or have lived in London, my wife and I have be scouring the mls listings etc.. but the fact is that we have 3 kids and a good neighborhood with a school is of interest, but then again we are considering building new.
Can anyone suggest which are better areas to buy in (looking to spend 270-300 thousand) on a four bedroom?
This has to be the toughest part of moving a family when you don't really know the city you are moving to. We will be looking to rent for a few months when we first get there so that we figure out the neighborhoods etc before making and final decisions but we don't really want to end up renting in an undesirable neighbourhood.
Member
Posts: 246
April 24th, 2008, 11:35 AM
North of Toronto,i.e. Richmond Hill,Aurora and Newmarket can be pricey...but,all are in commuting distance of Toronto. New subdivisons are springing up everywhere...but,those towns offer everything you'd want,lots of recreation,availability to open spaces,etc.
Further north(Keswick and Quuensville)are still commutable,and offer easy access to Toronto.
North of Toronto,i.e. Richmond Hill,Aurora and Newmarket can be pricey...but,all are in commuting distance of Toronto. New subdivisons are springing up everywhere...but,those towns offer everything you'd want,lots of recreation,availability to open spaces,etc.
Further north(Keswick and Quuensville)are still commutable,and offer easy access to Toronto.
