Ontario visit
 

Looking for some advice. We are coming over to visit Toromont Cat who are based all around Ontario, mainly Concord area but also Hamilton and Peterborough. Planning to visit Milton, Oakville and Mississauga to look at homes, schools etc. We have 3 children aged 4, 12 and 17. The eldest is at College. Has anyone got advice/ideas where to avoid, definite places to go.
Thanks very much

Re: Ontario visit
 

To be honest, recommendations on where to live will depend on which location at Cat you're working. If you're working in the Concord area and working a dayshift (start time between 8 and 9 am), you may find the commute from Milton/Oakville to Concord a challenge, as traffic into the Toronto area in the morning, and home in the evening, can be frustrating.

- During your visit, that may be something you may consider trying - driving from a particular city to the Cat location at the time that you would be commuting - just to get a better understanding of the traffic. Note: You can use the 407 highway to save significant time on the commute, however it is a toll highway, so you would have to consider the additional expense. 407etr.com website has a toll calculator tool to help.

- Mississauga to the Concord would probably be an 'OK' commute, provided you lived in the northern half of Mississauga.

- Milton, Oakville, and Mississauga will all be fine for commuting to the Hamilton area.

- None of the three locations mentioned would be appropriate should you be working at the Peterborough location

However, I think the three locations you've chosen will give you a reasonably representative comparison between the housing/lifestyle options you have in living in Southern Ontario.

- Oakville: At one time, Oakville was the town to where people who were enjoying financial success moved. As Mississauga/Burlington expanded, there's been an increase in the amount of diversity in the housing market, but you'll pay more for housing in Oakville than for similar properties in Milton/Mississauga. I think Oakville has done a reasonable job trying to preserve a small town feel with lots of locally-owned shops and restaurants, but the big chains and box stores are also scattered throughout the city.

- Milton: Welcome to suburbia. Milton has been one of the fastest growing communities in Canada the last decade or so. A large percentage of the housing is 'cookie cutter' semi-detached and town homes (all fairly new) rather than detached or high-rise towers. The city has focused its' growth on attracting young families, so there's lots of parks and sporting facilities, but night-life options are limited.

- Mississauga: Much more of a modern city compared to Milton & Oakville. You'll see a mix of different housing, from single family homes to high-rise towers, that will cover a fairly wide range of budgets. Much more industrial manufacturing and commercial areas than Milton/Oakville, and a higher population and traffic density. Not nearly as much green space, and organized recreational activities can be expensive and challenging to get into.

Re: Ontario visit
 

Thanks very much for your help. We fly out in 3 weeks so will find out where we could be based then. Great idea to try the commute at the same time as work would be as when we were over last year we did it outside peak times and so didn't get a realistic look at things.
Exciting times ahead !!

Re: Ontario visit
 

Would you be driving or taking the train? That will make a big difference. Commuting by car around the GTA is very difficult because of the traffic and gridlock, but if you're able to use transit it's way better. Ebonhawke's breakdown of Oakville/Milton/Mississauga is pretty accurate. You might consider Burlington as well.

Best of luck with the move and keep us updated! :)

Re: Ontario visit
 

If it's Peterborough there's no commute to speak of.

Re: Ontario visit
 

Thank you for taking the time to reply. We are unsure at the moment whether my partner will be workshop based or field service as he is here. We are hoping to find this out in the 1st few days of our trip and then take it from there. Its difficult with the age gap between our daughters knowing what area would benefit them all. The youngest is 4 and the eldest 17 and at college studying Sports.