Guelph/Waterloo, Ontario?

halv

Wasn't sure where to post this, but I've been thinking of moving east to the Guelph/Waterloo area and was wondering if any PJ fans on here live there. How do you like living there? Pros/cons? Job market...etc.
Any opinions would be apprciated.
Thanks!

angelica

halv wrote:

Wasn't sure where to post this, but I've been thinking of moving east to the Guelph/Waterloo area and was wondering if any PJ fans on here live there. How do you like living there? Pros/cons? Job market...etc.
Any opinions would be apprciated.
Thanks!

hey, I live in Waterloo. Are you in technology at all? Afterall, you're referring to the technology triangle of Canada! I love the vibe of Waterloo. With a world renowned physics centre, and world class Universities. Of course, the Kitchener-Waterloo area has the most Tim Hortons per capita!

A distinct downside here is the doctor shortage that has been ongoing for a long time.

Where do you live now? edit: oops....Vancouver, I see. Well another down side is the scenery is not nearly so nice around here as out there!!

sourdough

Vancouver to Waterloo? What is the draw to Waterloo? I might be facing a move east to either, Kingston, Ottawa or Toronto, but am hoping not to have go. Nothing against Ontario (exept for the Leafs) but Vancouver/BC is hard to compete with especially if you are into outdoor life. I would struggle without all of the beaches, hiking, climbing, snowboarding that we have out here.

halv

A big reason I moved to Vancouver originally was for the outdoor activities. Trust me, that will be hard to leave. I'm just having a tough time paying the amount I am for a tiny condo when I could own a house with a big yard out east. But it's not just about owning a house; I've had one and the headache that can go with them before; it's also about wanting to get out of the chaos of the city. The whole "laid back west coast" reputation does not apply to Vancouver that's for sure. Just looking to live somewhere with a realistic opportunity of being mortgage free one day and then free up that money to travel instead. I spent some time in the Waterloo/Guelph area last year and liked it. Much different than Vancouver, but had a cool college vibee to it all the same. And when I want city life Toronto's only 1 hour away.

civ_eng_girl

I went to uni at Waterloo.... love it, love it, love it...

like you said, great vibe.... if i could get a job in my field, i'd be there in a second!

sourdough

halv wrote:

A big reason I moved to Vancouver originally was for the outdoor activities. Trust me, that will be hard to leave. I'm just having a tough time paying the amount I am for a tiny condo when I could own a house with a big yard out east. But it's not just about owning a house; I've had one and the headache that can go with them before; it's also about wanting to get out of the chaos of the city. The whole "laid back west coast" reputation does not apply to Vancouver that's for sure. Just looking to live somewhere with a realistic opportunity of being mortgage free one day and then free up that money to travel instead. I spent some time in the Waterloo/Guelph area last year and liked it. Much different than Vancouver, but had a cool college vibee to it all the same. And when I want city life Toronto's only 1 hour away.

Good points. Actually as much as I love it here, I will be leaving the city as well. I just like smaller communities and Vancouver is getting quite big and expensive. Does anyone know anything about Kingston? My wife has just interviewed at Queens University for medical school so we may very likely be heading there in September. I am a teacher (just starting) and was wondering if there is anyone in the area who can offer any opinions on the city and whether or not there are opportunities for a lowly teacher such as myself

halv

sourdough wrote:

Good points. Actually as much as I love it here, I will be leaving the city as well. I just like smaller communities and Vancouver is getting quite big and expensive. Does anyone know anything about Kingston? My wife has just interviewed at Queens University for medical school so we may very likely be heading there in September. I am a teacher (just starting) and was wondering if there is anyone in the area who can offer any opinions on the city and whether or not there are opportunities for a lowly teacher such as myself

I was also in Kingston last year which is on the list of possible places to move and loved it! You have the water right there, incredible architecture and history, and the downtown area is lively without the chaos. They have an excellent farmers market, close to outdoor activities, and dead centre to Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. Hmmm....maybe that's the place I should go!!

Quiet Rhythm

Kitchener-Waterloo isnt a bad place to live, although I'd trade you in a heartbeat.

Kitchener is considered a bit more "blue collared" then Waterloo, but really Kitchener and Waterloo are just one big city anyways so not like it really matters.
Housing is a bit expensive here, if you dont want a house in the ghetto, your looking to spend at least 220,000. Condo's arent much cheaper and condo fee's are a tad high. Rental units, again arent cheap. A one bedroom apartment can start at $700/monthly + electricity etc.

Although, Waterloo city government announced a property tax hike of 3% so you might want to factor that in when choosing where to live. Although I have no idea how this compares to Vancouver.

Waterloo Region has one of the lowest unemployment rates in canada, although Im a certified Personal Trainer and Im having a bitch of a time finding work in my field.

The doctor shortage is a huge issue and often times the clinics and Emergency rooms are full and the wait is long.
As mentioned above, Waterloo Region DOES have the most Tim Hortons per capital, example, there are 3 tim hortons one one block, less than 5 mins from my house

The lack of outdoor activities kinda sucks during the winter months but during the warmer temperatures, theres plenty to do and a beach isnt too far of a drive and there are plenty of trails and forests around and provincal parks too.

Kitchener doesnt really have the college vibe too it, that stay in waterloo mostly. Our bars and clubs arent the best but they get us by, most of my friends travel to Toronto or London and stay the night there if they are going drinking alot.

Hmm...Kitchener-Waterloo is expanding as much as possible, you cant turn a corner anymore without seeing either a new housing complex or a strip mall being built.
Hmm...I cant think of anything else to contribute here, I have to get my son to school, if I think of anything I'll toss you a PM or just send me a message on MSN if you have that.
In the meantime, browse this website. http://www.city.kitchener.on.ca

angelica

Quiet Rhythm wrote:

Kitchener-Waterloo isnt a bad place to live, although I'd trade you in a heartbeat.

Kitchener is considered a bit more "blue collared" then Waterloo, but really Kitchener and Waterloo are just one big city anyways so not like it really matters.
Housing is a bit expensive here, if you dont want a house in the ghetto, your looking to spend at least 220,000. Condo's arent much cheaper and condo fee's are a tad high. Rental units, again arent cheap. A one bedroom apartment can start at $700/monthly + electricity etc.

Although, Waterloo city government announced a property tax hike of 3% so you might want to factor that in when choosing where to live. Although I have no idea how this compares to Vancouver.

Waterloo Region has one of the lowest unemployment rates in canada, although Im a certified Personal Trainer and Im having a bitch of a time finding work in my field.

The doctor shortage is a huge issue and often times the clinics and Emergency rooms are full and the wait is long.
As mentioned above, Waterloo Region DOES have the most Tim Hortons per capital, example, there are 3 tim hortons one one block, less than 5 mins from my house

The lack of outdoor activities kinda sucks during the winter months but during the warmer temperatures, theres plenty to do and a beach isnt too far of a drive and there are plenty of trails and forests around and provincal parks too.

Kitchener doesnt really have the college vibe too it, that stay in waterloo mostly. Our bars and clubs arent the best but they get us by, most of my friends travel to Toronto or London and stay the night there if they are going drinking alot.

Hmm...Kitchener-Waterloo is expanding as much as possible, you cant turn a corner anymore without seeing either a new housing complex or a strip mall being built.
Hmm...I cant think of anything else to contribute here, I have to get my son to school, if I think of anything I'll toss you a PM or just send me a message on MSN if you have that.
In the meantime, browse this website. http://www.city.kitchener.on.ca

You post count is currently at "666", so I'm not sure you can be trusted....

I mentioned your multiple-Tim Hortons corner in the coffee thread a week ago! Man, that Tim Hortons! When I was posting about that, I thought of you, since you had said you live around that area.