neneromanova

Hi again

Looks like the only way we'll get over is either I get a holiday work permit before I turn 30 (2 1/2 years) or Hubby gets a job offer. The second is looking more likely than the first. But we'll see.

Anyway.

I LOVE the look of the houses in Barrie. What is Barrie like as a place to live? And also for Hubby to commute to Toronto as that's more than likely where he'll be working. I've seen the GO transport but is it any good? How about in winter when it snows?

plasticcanuck

The GO system is quite good, overall. It has occasional problems like any other transport systems around the world. The winter snow has little or no effect on it.
There are, for reasons that confuse me, some Barrie haters on here. IMHO, it's a pleasant smaller city and a good place to live. Lots of summer/winter recreational activities.

neneromanova

Be interesting to find out why people don't like Barrie It's just I've been looking for houses with a budget of $400k (aiming more to $350k though) and they all seem huge. 4 beds upstairs which is what we want and 2 in the basement (again what we'd like for visiting family.)

Is there anywhere else that you (Or anyone else) can think of that has that size house for that price and is commutable to Toronto?

magnumpi

West Hamilton and Burlington

East Pickering, Ajax and Whitby

Both the above areas have access to a GO train every 30 mins

Barrie is nice, but a long commute and restrictive GO time table

colchar

Unlike Britain where an inch of snow causes transport problem, Canada is very well equipped to deal with them so the snow won't have any effect.

It is also possible to drive from Barrie to Toronto by going straight down Highway 400. I know several people who live in Barrie, or near Barrie, who do that commute.

magnumpi

Not much fun in summer, on a Friday, at 5pm going north on the 400.

Same can be said going east too same time :@( lucky I come off at Westney tho, just as it bottle necks /@)

neneromanova

yeah i've heard about the 400 during summer so wanted to stick with the train. I'll try those other places mentioned though Thanks.

HGerchikov

I really don't think they will find the type of house they are describing in Burlington for less than $400k.

neneromanova

Yeah I'm finding that out now

How about Orangeville?

magnumpi

Did u try the other places yet, the lakeshore GO is great for commuting into Toronto

neneromanova

None of those places have the kind of house I would LOVE to live in. And Burlington I can't afford

See, this is GORGEOUS in Barrie. 12 Lakewoods Crt , BARRIE, Ontario - RE/MAX Ultimate

That's the kind of thing I'm looking for.

magnumpi

Oh my, very nice, I see why Barrie is an option for some. Same as Courtice, Newcasle and Port Perry I expect, just a crappy commute time.

http://www.homefinder.ca/listings/26...tario-e2998602

dbd33

I commuted to Toronto from near there. It was 1hr 15min consistently in the morning and 2 1/2 to 4 hours in the evening. I suggest getting a car with a good radio and a subscription to Sirius.

I am a Barrie hater. I won't get into that again but I will say that a colleague lives there and his wife commutes to Toronto, she drives because there are few trains and she's not free to adjust her schedule to suit them. She counts on 2 hours 15 each way. He used to drive just to Markham and says driving here, Guelph, is quicker and less stressful.

At a glance I'd say that house is probably poorly built, jammed in next to other ones, far from pubs and restaurants and likely prone to basement flooding. Still, it is big, if big and cheap is all that counts it might be for you.

HGerchikov

I am not so familiar with Orangeville prices but I would say cheaper than Burlington but more expensive than Barrie. Also I think (open for correction on this if anyone knows better) that the GO to Orangeville is via a bus route, ie. take the train to Brampton and then bus to Orangeville.

Magnumpi is absolutely correct that the Lakeshore GO route is the best one.

dbd33

Yes. Orangeville itself though is quite nice. Except for the new subdivisiony bits.