Thanks Rich, but we're not going into this half-arsed.

We have been dreaming of moving to Canada for over 15 years, and have researched accordingly.

Ailsa has been over to Burlington several times over the last year and loves the people and the place. So much so that we have been invited to stay with work colleagues while we research some more.

The family we will be staying with are second generation immigrants, as in, they came over with their parents when they were teenagers.

I appreciate your cautions and I agree with what you are saying, just don't think it applies to us

Thank you all very much for your replys so far, it does seam to have good and bad parts but i suppose what city doesnt? It seams well situated in ontario, all the messages recieved overall has made me more confident with the possible prospect of moving to Hamilton.

I drive through Hamiltion often enough. It puts me in mind of the opening credit sequence of The Sopranos.

To be fair there is a difference between passing though a place and actually living there. I know Hamilton looks pretty grim from the QEW, but then Belleville doesn't make much impression from the 401 Im sure, and its an OK place to live.

Nobody ever does

have you even read this thread?

I remember you being equally as helpfull 4 years ago when we were considering the move.

Some things never change eh?

Oh, better add another winky face, because that makes childish remarks OK...

Personally I think he had a point, its a big step to take without visiting, yes, its still "Canada" , but its 2000 miles away in a totally different province, with a different climate etc etc. Might as well be another country to be honest.

I love that opening sequence! Must be the only serious I sat through the opning credits without fast forwarding.

Not because I love busy ports, or industry, or the odd run-down area, but because it shows in under 2 minutes, the huge diversity of a busy town, which is part of any city's heritage.

You could film that scene in almost any city in the world. Glasgow, London, Paris.

Doesn't necessarily make it a bad place to live does it?

Err, he has just explicitly stated that his OH has been to Burlington several times over the last year and likes the place.

Umm, maybe I forgot to write some thing on my previous posts about visiting and researching the area, because I'm getting the distinct feeling no-one has noticed that my wife has been there several times (on work, not holiday), loves it, and is taking our whole family there to reccie the place this summer....

Phew, not going mad then

Thanks Novo

Hopefully everyone likes it once they have had a chance to see it.

Has she been in the winter?

El richso point I think was simply that very few people coming over would say they hadnt done enough homework, but quite a few end up unhappy.

Yes, she has been there during the hibernation period, lol.

We're used to cold scottish winters, so we're used to misery, lol.

Yes, I know you guys have it much worse, but you're also prepared for the weather. You're global position combined with your 250000 inland lakes makes for much snow fall (see, I do research) ;-)

I have owned a large Off-roader, of one type or another, for the last 10 years. Partly for towing cars and picking up engines, but also to ensure I can still function in winter.

This year we had (relatively speaking) pretty bad (by which I mean good) snow falls.

So I jump in my Pajero, with my big chunky tyres, tow rope and winch in the back, and head through the snow to rescue my kids from school. After all, we have to close our schools in Scotland when we get over an inch of snow

Anyway, I get to the top of the road and have to turn back. The road is completely jammed with abandoned "summer cars". Why do these people think they can drive a Corsa over a foot of snow?

So, waste of time being prepared in this country, no-one else is

No problem with a corsa in the snow if it has the right tires. Not everyone is unprepared but I take your point.

I dont think you can realistically compare a UK and Ontario winter, both in terms of length, amount of sunshine and fringe benefits (like skiing on the way home from work for example) Hibernating in the winter isnt a good option here, even in Ontario its too long and cabin fever will set in.

I suppose Hamilton/ Burlington will get more snow than farther along the lake just due to the geography / lake effect. I handnt really thought about it before. Where I am it doesnt snow all that often , it just doesnt melt in a few days.

Decided there's just not enough pictures on this forum.

Here's Ailsa hard at work. You need to guess where