(Ontario) London or St. Catharines OR Chatham-Kent?
May 23rd 2012, 12:19 am
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 283
(Ontario) London or St. Catharines OR Chatham-Kent?
We're currently in N.S and looking to move and buy a home next year.
Requirements:
- Better climate than N.S
- Things to do during the weekends (we like culture, not really sporty types)
- Good access to an airport as we travel to Europe/U.S often
- We want to start a family soon (we are in our mid 20s), so want a good place to bring them up
- Affordable (ish) homes - our Mortgage pre-approval is for $300,000
We're attracted to this area as we have family in around St. C's and London.
What would your preference be? We like Halifax but find there really isn't too much nearby. We don't mind driving an hour or two for 'action', but we just don't get it here. Besides, the winters are long and the Summers short.
Jobs are not too much of a factor as I run a business which my soon-to-be Wife can always work for if necessary - we can operate from anywhere. She currently works in marketing, but we'd rather live in a better place than move somewhere just because the job's market is good.
Just wondering - from your experiences, do any of the above jump out?
Requirements:
- Better climate than N.S
- Things to do during the weekends (we like culture, not really sporty types)
- Good access to an airport as we travel to Europe/U.S often
- We want to start a family soon (we are in our mid 20s), so want a good place to bring them up
- Affordable (ish) homes - our Mortgage pre-approval is for $300,000
We're attracted to this area as we have family in around St. C's and London.
What would your preference be? We like Halifax but find there really isn't too much nearby. We don't mind driving an hour or two for 'action', but we just don't get it here. Besides, the winters are long and the Summers short.
Jobs are not too much of a factor as I run a business which my soon-to-be Wife can always work for if necessary - we can operate from anywhere. She currently works in marketing, but we'd rather live in a better place than move somewhere just because the job's market is good.
Just wondering - from your experiences, do any of the above jump out?
May 23rd 2012, 12:42 am
#2
Mostly Harmless
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Re: London or St. Catharines OR Chatham-Kent?
We're currently in N.S and looking to move and buy a home next year.
Requirements:
- Better climate than N.S
- Things to do during the weekends (we like culture, not really sporty types)
- Good access to an airport as we travel to Europe/U.S often
- We want to start a family soon (we are in our mid 20s), so want a good place to bring them up
- Affordable (ish) homes - our Mortgage pre-approval is for $300,000
We're attracted to this area as we have family in around St. C's and London.
What would your preference be? We like Halifax but find there really isn't too much nearby. We don't mind driving an hour or two for 'action', but we just don't get it here. Besides, the winters are long and the Summers short.
Jobs are not too much of a factor as I run a business which my soon-to-be Wife can always work for if necessary - we can operate from anywhere. She currently works in marketing, but we'd rather live in a better place than move somewhere just because the job's market is good.
Just wondering - from your experiences, do any of the above jump out?
Requirements:
- Better climate than N.S
- Things to do during the weekends (we like culture, not really sporty types)
- Good access to an airport as we travel to Europe/U.S often
- We want to start a family soon (we are in our mid 20s), so want a good place to bring them up
- Affordable (ish) homes - our Mortgage pre-approval is for $300,000
We're attracted to this area as we have family in around St. C's and London.
What would your preference be? We like Halifax but find there really isn't too much nearby. We don't mind driving an hour or two for 'action', but we just don't get it here. Besides, the winters are long and the Summers short.
Jobs are not too much of a factor as I run a business which my soon-to-be Wife can always work for if necessary - we can operate from anywhere. She currently works in marketing, but we'd rather live in a better place than move somewhere just because the job's market is good.
Just wondering - from your experiences, do any of the above jump out?
I lived there (and Rochester, Gillingham) for the first 33 years of my life and I still don't know why I didn't get the hell out sooner.
On paper it's an ideal spot for commuting with a decent train service and some nice green spaces.
In reality it's populated by low-lifes and druggies. Yes, there are some nice people around but seriously, the scum bring the place down.
Move Anywhere Else.
May 23rd 2012, 1:43 pm
#3
Part Time Poster
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 4,219
Re: London or St. Catharines OR Chatham-Kent?
I'm thinking that your talking about Chatham UK rather than the slightly dull version sitting in Ontario Canada
May 23rd 2012, 1:53 pm
#4
Mostly Harmless
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Re: London or St. Catharines OR Chatham-Kent?
May 23rd 2012, 2:43 pm
#6
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: London or St. Catharines OR Chatham-Kent?
Still, the cops on the 401 around chatham would be enough for me to cross that off my list PDQ.
London seems the best of that bunch in terms of the OPs requirements I think, closer to Toronto for events, able to reach buffallo for flights if TO is too expensive.
London seems the best of that bunch in terms of the OPs requirements I think, closer to Toronto for events, able to reach buffallo for flights if TO is too expensive.
May 23rd 2012, 2:47 pm
#7
Seasoned Maritimer
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick CA
Posts: 8,309
Re: London or St. Catharines OR Chatham-Kent?
Better climate ?
May 23rd 2012, 2:48 pm
#8
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
May 23rd 2012, 2:48 pm
#9
Seasoned Maritimer
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick CA
Posts: 8,309
May 23rd 2012, 2:58 pm
#10
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: London or St. Catharines OR Chatham-Kent?
Less wet, less snow?
I suppose it depends how the OP feels about the heat and humidity of the Ontario summer.
Im also presuming they have done some homework and decided Ontario weather is more to their liking, its not like the stats are classified is it...
I suppose it depends how the OP feels about the heat and humidity of the Ontario summer.
Im also presuming they have done some homework and decided Ontario weather is more to their liking, its not like the stats are classified is it...
May 23rd 2012, 3:27 pm
#11
Lovin it!
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Windsor, ON
Posts: 279
Re: London or St. Catharines OR Chatham-Kent?
We're currently in N.S and looking to move and buy a home next year.
Requirements:
- Better climate than N.S
- Things to do during the weekends (we like culture, not really sporty types)
- Good access to an airport as we travel to Europe/U.S often
- We want to start a family soon (we are in our mid 20s), so want a good place to bring them up
- Affordable (ish) homes - our Mortgage pre-approval is for $300,000
We're attracted to this area as we have family in around St. C's and London.
What would your preference be? We like Halifax but find there really isn't too much nearby. We don't mind driving an hour or two for 'action', but we just don't get it here. Besides, the winters are long and the Summers short.
Jobs are not too much of a factor as I run a business which my soon-to-be Wife can always work for if necessary - we can operate from anywhere. She currently works in marketing, but we'd rather live in a better place than move somewhere just because the job's market is good.
Just wondering - from your experiences, do any of the above jump out?
Requirements:
- Better climate than N.S
- Things to do during the weekends (we like culture, not really sporty types)
- Good access to an airport as we travel to Europe/U.S often
- We want to start a family soon (we are in our mid 20s), so want a good place to bring them up
- Affordable (ish) homes - our Mortgage pre-approval is for $300,000
We're attracted to this area as we have family in around St. C's and London.
What would your preference be? We like Halifax but find there really isn't too much nearby. We don't mind driving an hour or two for 'action', but we just don't get it here. Besides, the winters are long and the Summers short.
Jobs are not too much of a factor as I run a business which my soon-to-be Wife can always work for if necessary - we can operate from anywhere. She currently works in marketing, but we'd rather live in a better place than move somewhere just because the job's market is good.
Just wondering - from your experiences, do any of the above jump out?
1) House Prices are probably the best in Canada
2) Detroit is right on your doorstep - you are probably going to hear all sorts of horror stories from people who never go there and just read stories or passed through 30yrs ago and their parents screamed 'locked the doors roll up the windows!!' derelict buildings etc, etc, etc...
I save a fortune shopping across the border! Groceries, Gas, Electronics the lot! I have a mailbox over there too so I can use Amazon.com instead of .ca, Canadian Tire, Futureshop or the rest of those over priced places. HomeDepot too if you're into DIY you'd be amazed at the savings from the US store. I could give you loads more examples but I wont
3) The Weather - furthest point south in Canada we have to travel North to cross into the US last July we broke the record for the most days above 30c!! Its hot down here
4) Detroit Metro Airport - 20mins from the border cheap flights all over the US and you can fly direct to Europe too.
You get the best of both worlds living in the Windsor region - if its an option investigate a bit further. Theres a few of us on this site although I haven't contributed in a very very long time
too busy enjoying life both sides of the border
May 23rd 2012, 3:39 pm
#12
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Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: London or St. Catharines OR Chatham-Kent?
How depressed is the employment market there?
May 23rd 2012, 5:13 pm
#14
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 283
Re: London or St. Catharines OR Chatham-Kent?
Excellent information guys, and we'll certainly start looking at Windsor.
Warm and humid climates are an issue - we lived in Florida for a while and spend a few months of each year there, so we're certainly used putting up with sweltering heat and humidity!
Warm and humid climates are an issue - we lived in Florida for a while and spend a few months of each year there, so we're certainly used putting up with sweltering heat and humidity!
May 23rd 2012, 5:33 pm
#15
Lovin it!
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Windsor, ON
Posts: 279
Re: London or St. Catharines OR Chatham-Kent?
We drove to Florida last summer from Windsor - its one straight rd as soon as you cross the border I-75 all the way...
If you need any info let me know there's a few of us on here...
I-75 all the way...If you need any info let me know there's a few of us on here...