British Expats
Page 1 of 2
1
2
Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   Canada (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/)
-   -   Hamilton (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/hamilton-929712/)

Ryola2014 Dec 7th 2019 11:33 pm
Hamilton
 
Hi guys, not sure if I’ve posted to the right place. Please let me know if I haven’t. We are family of four, myself, Husband and our 2 kids (4 & 8) We want to go to Hamilton next July for a holiday & for a look around to see if it is somewhere we would consider emigrating to. I’m always changing my mind about emigrating so I guess I need to see and experience it first! Could you suggest any good place to stay for a few weeks holiday with kids and what recommend activities do you know of. Also I’m scared of driving in Canada, this is one of the reasons I doubt the move. Would it be advisable to book a car hire from the airport to accommodation? I’m not sure if to just book a transfer first, then get a car and have a practise driving about a bit first in some quiet streets? What do you think? Thanks Nicola.

Hurlabrick Dec 8th 2019 12:44 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Ryola2014 (Post 12775558)
Would it be advisable to book a car hire from the airport to accommodation? I’m not sure if to just book a transfer first, then get a car and have a practise driving about a bit first in some quiet streets? What do you think?
So you are worried about driving in Canada (wrong side of road, different rules - I get it). You will land at Toronto airport jet lagged then pick up a car immediately and drive the busiest streches of road to Hamilton? Sure doesnt sound like a great idea to me! Also have a read of the wiki pages on canadian driving licences, it has a section on the key differences in driving in Canada.

dbd33 Dec 8th 2019 1:44 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Hurlabrick (Post 12775577)
So you are worried about driving in Canada (wrong side of road, different rules - I get it). You will land at Toronto airport jet lagged then pick up a car immediately and drive the busiest streches of road to Hamilton? Sure doesnt sound like a great idea to me! Also have a read of the wiki pages on canadian driving licences, it has a section on the key differences in driving in Canada.
Cat hire is generally cheaper away from the airport anyway. Get a limo to the hotel (kids have probably never been in one) and get Enterprise to bring a car to you there.

spouse of scouse Dec 8th 2019 1:56 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by dbd33 (Post 12775585)
Cat hire is generally cheaper away from the airport anyway.
What a great country, you can even hire pussy cats! :angel_smile:

dbd33 Dec 8th 2019 3:32 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by spouse of scouse (Post 12775587)
What a great country, you can even hire pussy cats! :angel_smile:
At the risk of lowering the tone, there's always pussy for hire near airports.

magnumpi Dec 8th 2019 4:39 am
Re: Hamilton
 
The highway out from YYZ is the most confusing road I ever came across !! I know it now, but wow I just drove till I recognised a real road and direction my GPS could handle lol

Frazzle Dec 8th 2019 5:25 am
Re: Hamilton
 
The first time I drove in Canada was from Toronto to Niagara and it was one of the hair raising moments of my life. Not only is it confusing but it was busier than any road I can remember.
I would definitely recommend a taxi.
I have been back to Canada a couple of times since and driven, you do get used to it but maybe Toronto airport isn't the best place to start.

dbd33 Dec 8th 2019 6:09 am
Re: Hamilton
 
If you come out of the airport on the 410 southbound (which you might easily as the signage is awful) you will then want to make 14 lane shifts so as to end up the 427 south to the QEW and Hamilton. Consider that there's no convention for "overtaking"/"overtaken" lanes, vehicles will be going at between 40 and 90 mph in any lane and that signalling is not customary here and you will see that this is not a challenge to be considered lightly. If I'm not feeling combative I take a longer route to avoid the 14 close misses. And I know the route well, someone new would also have to cope with not being able to see the signs because of the height of the many trucks. This is a way to get your holiday off to a bad start even before you see the Hamilton waterfront.

Ryola2014 Dec 8th 2019 8:33 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Jeeeesus you guys are totally putting me off driving in Canada full stop! I’ve had my driving licence since 2006 but if I don’t know the roads, which lane to be in etc I freak out. This is honestly my main concern about moving to Canada. I don’t know what to do í ½í¸¬

Hurlabrick Dec 8th 2019 9:24 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Ryola2014 (Post 12775743)
Jeeeesus you guys are totally putting me off driving in Canada full stop! I’ve had my driving licence since 2006 but if I don’t know the roads, which lane to be in etc I freak out. This is honestly my main concern about moving to Canada. I don’t know what to do ������
Honestly, it is just driving in and around Toronto that is bad - Toronto is quite a zoo IMHO. Once you are past Halton heading west, driving is easy, even in the smaller cities. Actually far less traffic that similar roads in the UK and people and generally much more considerate. My wife is now so used to Canadian driving after 2 years, she now hestitates to drive at all when we go back to the UK and finds everyone far more aggressive on the roads there!

magnumpi Dec 8th 2019 9:24 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Ryola2014 (Post 12775743)
Jeeeesus you guys are totally putting me off driving in Canada full stop! I’ve had my driving licence since 2006 but if I don’t know the roads, which lane to be in etc I freak out. This is honestly my main concern about moving to Canada. I don’t know what to do ������
you do know we have 16 and 18 lanes at some areas of the highway yeh. The highway width is wider then my street is long lol

Siouxie Dec 8th 2019 10:29 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Ryola2014 (Post 12775743)
Jeeeesus you guys are totally putting me off driving in Canada full stop! I’ve had my driving licence since 2006 but if I don’t know the roads, which lane to be in etc I freak out. This is honestly my main concern about moving to Canada. I don’t know what to do ������
Hamilton has a great transit system - I don't drive and can get pretty much anywhere I need to... there's a good bus service all over the City, plus Uber and taxi's - and coach/bus/train to Toronto Union (where you can get bus/coach/trains pretty much anywhere) and the opposite way to Niagara - there's actually a bus that goes from Toronto Airport to Hamilton - but I recommend getting a car and driver when you arrive.

Hamilton isn't somewhere I would call a 'holiday / vacation spot' - presumably you are doing a recce trip. :)
I've lived in the Hammer for 20 years.. so if there's anything you need to know just shout! There's a few of us living here.. I'm sure one of us will have the answer.
A quick list of things to do and places to go in the Hamilton area.
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Hamilton
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Burlington

(there's a couple of expats groups in the area, if you need an intro let me know)

:)

caretaker Dec 8th 2019 11:39 am
Re: Hamilton
 
If I ever go to Hamilton I want to go see the Haida.
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/haida

BristolUK Dec 8th 2019 12:58 pm
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by spouse of scouse (Post 12775587)
What a great country, you can even hire pussy cats! :angel_smile:
But you have to beware of the claws in the contract.

Partially discharged Dec 8th 2019 3:20 pm
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by dbd33 (Post 12775694)
If you come out of the airport on the 410 southbound (which you might easily as the signage is awful) you will then want to make 14 lane shifts so as to end up the 427 south to the QEW and Hamilton. Consider that there's no convention for "overtaking"/"overtaken" lanes, vehicles will be going at between 40 and 90 mph in any lane and that signalling is not customary here and you will see that this is not a challenge to be considered lightly. If I'm not feeling combative I take a longer route to avoid the 14 close misses. And I know the route well, someone new would also have to cope with not being able to see the signs because of the height of the many trucks. This is a way to get your holiday off to a bad start even before you see the Hamilton waterfront.
Pedantic mode on :):)

https://goo.gl/maps/KEns4PT15ov6PNBz7

I think you're getting your 400 series highways mixed up. It would be 409 to 427 southbound wouldn't it.

Personally, if I had the time, I'd take the 409/427/401 WB to Hwy 6 which leads SB to Guelph. That avoids the stop and go traffic often in Oakville/Burlington.

I don't think the volume of traffic on the highways listed is any less than in the commuter areas around London or other big cities in the UK. Generally lanes are a bit wider as are the cars, but the points about lane etiquette, undertaking. poor signalling are all true.

Has the poster ever driven in a car with a steering wheel on the left or an automatic transmission or in snow conditions ?

MillieF Dec 8th 2019 10:16 pm
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Ryola2014 (Post 12775743)
Jeeeesus you guys are totally putting me off driving in Canada full stop! I’ve had my driving licence since 2006 but if I don’t know the roads, which lane to be in etc I freak out. This is honestly my main concern about moving to Canada. I don’t know what to do ������
Don't worry the vast majority of Canadian residents are in exactly the same situation!

I have driven in some pretty dodgy places, in some less than ideal countries but the only time I’ve been really worried was when leaving Toronto airport. Airports by their very nature are confusing - if you don’t work there or visit regularly you are guaranteed to get lost. I wasn’t happy in Calgary airport either...

Don’t come for what is a potentially life changing visit and start off with a white knuckle journey that’s going to put you off. I think the limo idea is super.

Driving in Canada is not the best thing about the place, but nor is it the worst, it is just different - it’s rare that Canadians are ever rude or aggressive to each other on the roads which goes a long way to helping you get used to the routes.

Very best of luck:thumbup:

dbd33 Dec 8th 2019 11:45 pm
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Partially discharged (Post 12775829)
Pedantic mode on :):)

https://goo.gl/maps/KEns4PT15ov6PNBz7

I think you're getting your 400 series highways mixed up. It would be 409 to 427 southbound wouldn't it.

Personally, if I had the time, I'd take the 409/427/401 WB to Hwy 6 which leads SB to Guelph. That avoids the stop and go traffic often in Oakville/Burlington.

I don't think the volume of traffic on the highways listed is any less than in the commuter areas around London or other big cities in the UK. Generally lanes are a bit wider as are the cars, but the points about lane etiquette, undertaking. poor signalling are all true.

Has the poster ever driven in a car with a steering wheel on the left or an automatic transmission or in snow conditions ?
I meant the 410 but I expect one could equally well be lost, frightened, and threatened by other drivers on the 409. If one wanted the 401WB then there's direct access to it from the airport, one could then take highway 6 north to Guelph, if one were going to Guelph or south if one wanted Hamilton. I don't think there's any point in trying to choose which road one would take out of the airport, it's spaghetti, poorly signposted and always dug up I'm just glad to be out of that airport with arrangements made for my lost bags to follow.

Still, we've addressed this, the OP shouldn't try it but should take a limo or similar, driving is much easier in the rest of Ontario especially when less tired and no longer enraged by the idiocy of the Toronto airport administration.

DandNHill Dec 9th 2019 12:11 am
Re: Hamilton
 
I agree that the drive from Toronto to Hamilton is very stressful. Unless maybe at 3am.

i live in Hamilton. If you need any help figuring anything out please let me know. There’s lots to explore within an easy drive of Hamilton or you can even hop on the train to Toronto. We even have a friendly group of Brits we can rally to share their experiences living here.

Good luck and hopefully we see you this side of the pond.

MarylandNed Dec 9th 2019 12:43 am
Re: Hamilton
 
I'm honestly really not understanding all this "driving in the GTHA is stressful" vibe. IMHO, driving anywhere in Canada is much easier than driving in the UK. Most cars in Canada are automatic transmission and the roads are wider than those in the UK. I recently came back from a trip to the UK which had me driving in Edinburgh and various parts of Greater Manchester. I was driving a car with manual transmission on narrow roads with double-parked vehicles, double-decker buses, big lorries, confusing roundabouts, etc. I think that driving in and around Toronto is a piece of cake in comparison - unless you're trying to drive in really bad winter conditions.

dbd33 Dec 9th 2019 1:25 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by MarylandNed (Post 12776031)
I'm honestly really not understanding all this "driving in the GTHA is stressful" vibe. IMHO, driving anywhere in Canada is much easier than driving in the UK. Most cars in Canada are automatic transmission and the roads are wider than those in the UK. I recently came back from a trip to the UK which had me driving in Edinburgh and various parts of Greater Manchester. I was driving a car with manual transmission on narrow roads with double-parked vehicles, double-decker buses, big lorries, confusing roundabouts, etc. I think that driving in and around Toronto is a piece of cake in comparison - unless you're trying to drive in really bad winter conditions.
Doesn't the automatic make it more difficult? All that stabbing at the pedal that isn't there, no ability to slow the car down when it's icy. I don't think it's the worst aspect of the experience but it doesn't help.

Jerseygirl Dec 9th 2019 1:39 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by MarylandNed (Post 12776031)
I'm honestly really not understanding all this "driving in the GTHA is stressful" vibe. IMHO, driving anywhere in Canada is much easier than driving in the UK. Most cars in Canada are automatic transmission and the roads are wider than those in the UK. I recently came back from a trip to the UK which had me driving in Edinburgh and various parts of Greater Manchester. I was driving a car with manual transmission on narrow roads with double-parked vehicles, double-decker buses, big lorries, confusing roundabouts, etc. I think that driving in and around Toronto is a piece of cake in comparison - unless you're trying to drive in really bad winter conditions.
IMO driving around the GTA vs US vs UK...it’s different. My main criticism of drivers here is how they overtake on both sides, weaving in and out, often at speed, often across 3 to 4 lanes of traffic. Is it that they are not aware there are any other vehicles on the road, are they just plain stupid, or do they have a death wish? :unsure:

If the OP is not confident driving in Ontario, then I agree with others, take a cab/UBER. Driving from most large airports is confusing, especially if it is your first time driving on the left.

I am I said Dec 9th 2019 4:30 am
Re: Hamilton
 
My experience of driving in the GTA vs the UK is that **most** drivers in the UK seem to understand that there is only so much space and lots of cars and they make adjustments to what they are doing to help traffic flow. In the GTA, the main approach seems to be that the objective is to treat the highway system as a personal asset. With bonus points for playing hide and seek by using other vehicles' blind spots.

dbd33 Dec 9th 2019 6:38 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Ryola2014 (Post 12775558)
Hi guys, not sure if I’ve posted to the right place. Please let me know if I haven’t. We are family of four, myself, Husband and our 2 kids (4 & 8) We want to go to Hamilton next July for a holiday & for a look around to see if it is somewhere we would consider emigrating to. I’m always changing my mind about emigrating so I guess I need to see and experience it first! Could you suggest any good place to stay for a few weeks holiday with kids and what recommend activities do you know of. Also I’m scared of driving in Canada, this is one of the reasons I doubt the move. Would it be advisable to book a car hire from the airport to accommodation? I’m not sure if to just book a transfer first, then get a car and have a practise driving about a bit first in some quiet streets? What do you think? Thanks Nicola.
Moving on from the driving issue. Why Hamilton? That's rather like someone emigrating to England wanting to have a look at Sheffield.

Jerseygirl Dec 9th 2019 7:10 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by dbd33 (Post 12776248)
Moving on from the driving issue. Why Hamilton? That's rather like someone emigrating to England wanting to have a look at Sheffield.
What’s wrong with Sheffield? :mad:

dbd33 Dec 9th 2019 7:18 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Jerseygirl (Post 12776273)
What’s wrong with Sheffield? :mad:
Nothing more or less than is wrong with Hamilton.

Siouxie Dec 9th 2019 7:20 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by dbd33 (Post 12776248)
Moving on from the driving issue. Why Hamilton? That's rather like someone emigrating to England wanting to have a look at Sheffield.
We can't all live an idyllic life out in the boonies.. as Cities go there is nothing wrong with Hamilton! ;p

dbd33 Dec 9th 2019 7:25 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Siouxie (Post 12776286)
We can't all live an idyllic life out in the boonies.. as Cities go there is nothing wrong with Hamilton! ;p
I haven't said there is anything wrong with Hamilton except the look of it from the QEW. I expect it has most modern conveniences, the sort of thing one does not find in the country; snow clearance, mains water, stuff like that. Still, why would people who aren't in Toronto have heard of it?

Ryola2014 Dec 9th 2019 8:05 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Hamilton here is my reasons. So firstly from my research it said Toronto has the most Brits so I thought well there must be a good reason for that. My husband is a Tower & crawler crane driver so figured there might be opportunities for work for him. I’ve been led to believe that crane drivers are wanted.. Then I started looking on house prices we could potentially afford. Bear in mind my mortgage here in Leeds West Yorkshire is £82,000 less than £400 a month. I lived in Western Australia for a year and loved the spacious surroundings, the cleaner more modern buildings. The friendly people. The outdoors, parks and feeling safer. Crime in my area at the moment is awful. Teens smashing bus stops & shop windows virtually every night. People are nowhere to be seen. It’s like a lawless society here and the thugs know it. Due to budget cuts. Equally my kids primary school is constantly begging parents for money or trying to raise money. Parents have to send in craft materials and books.. There is no money again due to cuts. I’m just unsatisfied with life here. I love my family although my parents are crap so there will be no loss there but just want better for my kids. Surely Hamilton is better than where I live with kids getting pissed up outside shops and houses been broke into virtually every night!

Ryola2014 Dec 9th 2019 8:06 am
Re: Hamilton
 
*police

Partially discharged Dec 9th 2019 8:42 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Ryola2014 (Post 12776317)
*police
I don't claim to be much of a Hamilton expert but areas near McMaster University are nice but I think based on your descriptions that is about as 'urban' as you would prefer. Areas like Stoney Creek or shudder shudder Binbrook may fit your preferences. My sister and brother in law live there and Binbrook isn't my favourite but to each their own and I gather the schools are good and I haven't seen many chav like critters hanging out at the Tim Horton's or passing around 3 litre bottles of cider at night..

Siouxie Dec 9th 2019 9:07 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by dbd33 (Post 12776291)
I haven't said there is anything wrong with Hamilton except the look of it from the QEW. I expect it has most modern conveniences, the sort of thing one does not find in the country; snow clearance, mains water, stuff like that. Still, why would people who aren't in Toronto have heard of it?
Perhaps because we have more waterfalls than anywhere else in Canada :p

dbd33 Dec 9th 2019 11:48 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Siouxie (Post 12776350)
Perhaps because we have more waterfalls than anywhere else in Canada :p
And I have frolicked in a fair few of them.

Former Lancastrian Dec 9th 2019 6:02 pm
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Jerseygirl (Post 12776273)
What’s wrong with Sheffield? :mad:
Oh where do I start :rofl: The only reason people have heard of it is because of the Full Monty.

christmasoompa Dec 9th 2019 10:30 pm
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Ryola2014 (Post 12776316)
Crime in my area at the moment is awful. Teens smashing bus stops & shop windows virtually every night. People are nowhere to be seen. It’s like a lawless society here and the thugs know it. Due to budget cuts. Equally my kids primary school is constantly begging parents for money or trying to raise money. Parents have to send in craft materials and books.. There is no money again due to cuts. I’m just unsatisfied with life here. I love my family although my parents are crap so there will be no loss there but just want better for my kids. Surely Hamilton is better than where I live with kids getting pissed up outside shops and houses been broke into virtually every night!
Most places in the UK would be better than that too. I live in the UK and rarely lock my doors. Our local primary school has class sizes of around 15 and never asked for money for materials that I recall. It doesn't sound as though you're terribly sold on the idea of moving to Canada, so before you commit to spending tens of thousands on an international move and going through all the hassle of getting your husband eligible to work there, is it not worth looking at moving to a nicer part of the UK?

And just checking, but again before you spend a few grand on a reccie trip, have you checked to make sure you or your husband is eligible for a visa?

Ryola2014 Dec 9th 2019 11:22 pm
Re: Hamilton
 
The issue with the UK is we cannot afford another house in a better area in the UK. I am sold on the idea of Canada it’s just that there is a lot of information to think about and take on board. I’m a cautious person so I just want to ensure everything is right. We have been contacted on a couple of occasions from immigration agents saying that as. Crane Driver we are eligible for PR status without needing employment first. We have done the assessments and have enough points.

christmasoompa Dec 9th 2019 11:37 pm
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Ryola2014 (Post 12776604)
The issue with the UK is we cannot afford another house in a better area in the UK.
If you can afford to live near Toronto, and the £25-30k or so it'll cost you to move there, wouldn't that get you to a nicer area of the UK? It doesn't need to be somewhere like Surrey, but just a rural village rather than somewhere with the issues you've described? Just playing devil's advocate…….!

Originally Posted by Ryola2014 (Post 12776604)
We have been contacted on a couple of occasions from immigration agents saying that as. Crane Driver we are eligible for PR status without needing employment first. We have done the assessments and have enough points.
Bit misleading, as the job isn't relevant, being eligible for PR status without needing employment first is purely based on points. But yes, if you've checked his CRS points then that's fab. Will he lose points due to getting older at any point? Bear in mind there were only two FST draws in 2019, so best to get his application in asap if he will lose points at any point in 2020. Ideally he wouldn't wait until your July trip to go and sit his exams to get his provincial certification, I'd suggest he sorts that asap if at all possible.

I'd also suggest you start a new thread asking about crane driving jobs in Canada, as Hamilton may not be your best choice. Just looking at the stats on Jobbank, there are only 3 jobs at the moment across all of Ontario, so it may be worth considering other provinces too where the chance of work is higher.

Good luck.

Ryola2014 Dec 9th 2019 11:48 pm
Re: Hamilton
 
Thanks. Maybe it’s just a feeling but when I’m in UK I feel trapped. Whenever I go away anywhere I feel free. And it’s not just holidays I mean. I worked full time in Oz, had a flat, car etc. I have a shitty family. My husband turned 36 on Friday.

christmasoompa Dec 9th 2019 11:52 pm
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Ryola2014 (Post 12776620)
Thanks. Maybe it’s just a feeling but when I’m in UK I feel trapped. Whenever I go away anywhere I feel free. And it’s not just holidays I mean. I worked full time in Oz, had a flat, car etc. I have a shitty family. My husband turned 36 on Friday.
Sorry to hear about your family, that can't be easy, and I'm not surprised you feel trapped if you live somewhere as you've described, it sounds awful. You've got time before your husband loses points then, so plenty of time to research at least and find the right area for you. What is his CRS score now?

Ryola2014 Dec 10th 2019 12:51 am
Re: Hamilton
 
This is what we got back. I don’t totally understand it all to be honest? í ½í¸¬

christmasoompa Dec 10th 2019 1:13 am
Re: Hamilton
 
Originally Posted by Ryola2014 (Post 12776658)
This is what we got back. I don’t totally understand it all to be honest? ������
I've removed it, as it's a full email from a third party so not really ideal to put on here without their permission. But it's vague (not even any mention of your score?) because it's not from an official source, just from an immi consultant that wants to keep things that way so that they can take your money! You need to check your CRS score yourself on the proper website - https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigr...d/crs-tool.asp

The last FST draw was at 357, so ideally your husband will be scoring that or higher. If there's anything else in that email that you don't understand, feel free to start a new thread in the immi section of the forum to ask about it, and somebody will try and help.


All times are GMT -12. The time now is 7:53 am.
Page 1 of 2
1
2
Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

Powered by vBulletin: ©2000 - 2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.