minxymel

Ok so we have had our PPR's, out of the blue and have booked our flights to land 30th June 2010. Just some small matters for us to decide on...where to live?!?

OH is hoping to join Ontario Provincial Police, intake hopefully by Jan 2011. We have looked at various locations between the two police colleges, Orillia and Aylmer. We are looking to rent a property for a year, as this will cover period to completing training, after which OH can be posted anywhere in Ontario. The areas we have picked for our 'shortlist' (for no particular reason, other than geographical line between two colleges) are Kitchener, Guelph, Barrie, London , Waterloo, Orangeville, Alliston, Gravenhurst, in addition to Orillia and Aylmer.

OH would need to work potentially between Jun and Jan, he was in police for 17years in UK, anything security related would be ideal. I worked for public sector for 10yrs as management accountant (CIMA), though would like to go into teaching. Any office related work would be ideal.

We have two young children, 5yrs and 8yrs. Looking for nice area for them, not interested in pub scene. dont mind driving to shops/work.

Any information on any of these area, or any other advise would be much appreciated. We visited Barrie just over 4 years ago, and liked it, though appreciate things change.

Thanks Mel

SimonB1964

Hi, Congrats!!
I have lived in london for the past 20 years since emigrating from berkshire.
It is a pretty decent place, likes to think it's a big city when in fact it's not!
Schools are good on the whole and vary depending on what part of London you live in.
My son is off to guelph for university this fall, I do not know much about it, excpet it is an hour or so away.
barrie is actually quite nice, we stayed there for a soccer tournament 2 years ago, i quite liked it and there did seem to be quite a few British accents around at that time.
PM me if you would like more info on london.

dbd33

It is paradise in comparison to Barrie. There's still a fair population of homeless people with shopping carts and I see people taking drugs on the street most days, but many of them have teeth, some don't have baseball caps, and the backdrop is of attractive buildings. Some of the vehicles in Guelph are not pick up trucks and there's something of a sub-culture for exercise so, although wife-beaters are as popular here as in Barrie, not all the wearers in Guelph have huge tattoed bellies bulging through them.

"Guelph, less redneck than the alternatives" might be the town slogan.

SimonB1964

Hahah!! I'm not so sure i will be visiting my Son then!! LOL..
Good thing he is only a short bus ride form HOME.
Is the uni any good???

dbd33

It's the place for things veterinary, also popular with aggies. Not so sure about subjects involving the written word.

Partially discharged

Yes, I believe it is quite good....downtown Guelph is a relatively thriving commercial area with a changing array of restaurants and shops. There is a good pub called the Woolwich Arms on the north edge of the downtown area and lots of coffee places.

dbd33

Rather than the Woolie, students seem to go for the bars on Macdonnell, especially "Trapper's Alley" or the place, over on Quebec, with the mechanical bull, which may be called "Cowboys"; it has that type of detachable signage that goes with a need for frequent relicensing.

I posted recently about Orangeville, here:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ht=orangeville

Mr Bean

Unfortunately there is only one opinion on this board whenever Barrie is mentioned.

minxymel

But I see your there, whats your opinion?

dbd33

There is a commonly held view, yes. I accept that this sort of thing

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ht=celebrities

perpetuates a stereotype but anyone considering moving there ought to know that it's the equivalent of Canvey Island.