folks..we are now in the final stages, we've done the recces, "landed" last time round and now ready to depart UK, we narrowed are areas down to London / Tilsonburg, Woodstock or thereabouts but need some "comments" purely on St Thomas - we didn't see this place on the last visit which we regret now; we kept tabs on a good realitor who emails us some nice properties, we just need to get a better grasp on communities in & around St T,, from anyone who actually lives or knows..

please

j&m

I know it well and a good friend lives there. South of London (20 minutes) towards the lake which is about 20 minutes away. It's a nice little town but somewhat depressed economically. Had some auto/truck industrial plants up until recently but these have been much affected by downturn in that segment of the economy.
Are you looking to retire to SW Ontario? I can't think why else you would have picked such a spot.

Yeah probally retire in about 25 yrs or so !! just felt missing out the "hamilton" part, as it looked depressed on the last recce (my opinion), going towards London way seem slightly more afluent with a younger family on tow - there is also the factor that real estate seems better value, in my opinion again ..

St Thomas, home of a struggling Ford car plant. Wouldn't surprise me if people see the writing on the wall for the Crown Vic and are bailing out, which will suppress property prices I guess.

Do you have a job arranged in the area? If not, it wouldn't be an easy place to find one unless you have skills that are in great demand everywhere.

No Job as such, a few contacts - but its a tad similar everywhere really, you make you own luck sometimes - option B is to stay closer to Hamilton regions, Brantford / Cambridge way perhaps - I seen them on my last recce, not really sure about them !!

J&M

May I ask, what is your/wife occupations? The areas you mention do have some light industrial and agricultural economies and if you have trades or professions you may well find jobs easily. Good Luck.

two fold, hotel backgrounds management level so to speak - however i've moved into IT over the last few years, very broad based minded admittedly.. I'll do anything to cover the mortgage, needs must hey ho

I must admit I know little about IT bit I'm sure you know the maker of the BlackBerry (RIM) is located in the general area you're looking. They're always looking for people. Just a heads up for you.

Hi we used to live very near to St Thomas. We moved after a year or so.
OH works in Tillsonburg. We now live close to Brantford (rural area) and regularly have to go into Hamilton. So may be of help (or not).

I hope that I am not too late in sending my opinion. Myself and my husband and 2 boys moved to St Thomas 4 years ago from the UK. It is true that certain industry has sufered in St Thomas of late. Thankfully myself and my husband have not felt that blow. We moved to St Thomas because we are not big City people having lived in smaller centres in the UK. St Thomas is a small City with everything you need and it has a slightly older feel as it has some history. This means that housing wise you get to choose between a newer home or a century home. It is more layed back for home life but on the other hand London is a short distance (25-30 minutes) for work, which greatly increases ones chance of getting employed. Toronto is a few hours drive for any necessay training, concerts, fun etc also.

My husband works in London, I have just qualified in Real Estate and the kids are happy. Actually most kids are happy as we just got new schools in St Thomas. My advise if you have kids is to live in the zone for one of the new schools if you can. We have a lovely older home 2 blocks from the city. (it is not like living 2 blocks from the City in the UK, it is much more pleasant.

If you do move here and you need a pal call <tel no. removed - OP can contact you via the forum if they want to>.

Afraid I don't know much about St Thomas but we live in Ilderton which is a small town 5 Mins north of London. Great place for Kids especially the younger ones. I also work in IT in London and don't have any problems travelling in.

Please feel free to PM me if you need any more info