For the record, I very much like Guelph. However, right now, in the alley next to Babel Fish, there are two people smoking a joint. The male has no visible teeth. The tattooed woman is missing one of her front teeth. They, and many similar looking people, can be seen in St. George's Square most days.

Guelph has the regional dole office and the regional court. On dole days it's a riot.

Thank You for not providing one. Here's a gift: '

Thanks for the concern, we might only be looking for seasonal work. Planning to chill a bit.

It'd be a chill winter once the furniture's all burned. Good luck with it but, rural Ontario is really rural, it could be brutal without a good supply of cash for snow blowers and stand-by generators and the like.

lmao you must have some nice views , hahhaa x

How do you know we don't have the supply of cash?

Ah, Macdonell St. That section of town rivals anywhere I've been in the world for roughness - all in that one tiny area. If you want entertainment, Trappers Alley at kicking out time cannot be beaten.

St. Georges square is the only place I've been asked for bills when I said I had no change - I wonder if that one guy has scraped enough together for his bus fare back to Brampton yet? He's been needing that fare for years!

I don't know that. I assumed that, like most people, though perhaps not most residents of Muskoka, you'd need to work in order to generate income. If you don't have to then great.

Last week he was on crutches on the street by the station, one over from MacDonell. As is my habit, I ignored his pleading, ignored him completely. Such language came forth from him! My, I was shocked.

I wasn't aware that the answers were not civil. Certainly not a slagging match.
It boils down to the availability of work in order to support yourselves unless you have an income, such as a pension, to do so.
Some places are more difficult to find work that others and some of us have been here long enough to recognize that and, for myself, I try to pass along good information. Muskoka is a beautiful place and I have spent many happy summers at Walkers Point but I wouldn't want to be trying to start a new life there without some means of earning a living or external financial means.
If you can find a means to support yourselves where you choose to live then good luck to you.

I can only speak for Guelph, which I moved to 4 months ago, and I absolutely love it.

To give a little context, I'm a 33 year old guy with a wife and two girls aged 5 and 7. I grew up in middle-class suburbia (in Glasgow) and spent the last 8 years in rural North Wales. I actually enjoy a bit of hussle and bussle, I enjoy the convenience of a city, but I love the greenery of the countryside, and the friendliness of a smaller community.

For me, Guelph is as close to all of this as I've found. People are very friendly, polite and are happy to stop and chat when we're out cycling round the local trails with the kids. Everything is family friendly. Schools are great, housing is affordable and there are lots of parks and trails. Everything is very accessible. If you can't walk or cycle to it, then it's generally within a 15 minute drive.

I work in the University which has a vibrant campus. The street I'm renting in at the moment has a lot of students and despite being told to expect a constant stream of noisy parties it's been fine (although I'm certainly glad I have a driveway - parking might have been an issue otherwise).

One thing I've noticed, and I don't know if it's a Guelph thing, an Ontario thing or a Canadian thing, but compared to the UK people have very high standards. Here, a few cars waiting to turn at the lights is "rush hour". Construction adding 5 minutes on to your commute is unacceptable. Litter on the bus is a sign that the city is going to the dogs. And if you want to let a car out in front of you then you virtually have to send them a postcard, they would never think of simply cutting in front of you. I'm finding I'm becoming more chilled out by the day

Guelph has it's issues, as there are in any community in any country in the world, but it's officially one of the safest cities in Canada, 99% of the people are great, and it's a great place to raise a family. I'm loving it

can I just go very topic for a bit and add Ponoka AB, to the list of places to stop on a toothless mullet sporting tour of Canada.

Thanks - AYW.

Let me think. 4 months ago was May. The students will be back this week.

Good luck.

Student's have been back for two weeks, and it's been fine so far. I honestly think people here have such a different benchmark for what's considered "rough" or "riff-raff". Maybe it's my Glasgow roots coming through, but Guelph is great