We currently live in Oakville, been here about 18 months. We have decided
to take the plunge and buy a house. Oakville is too pricey so have been
looking at Waterdown.
Does anyone live here that could give some pointers on the area and public schools.

Any help would be appreciated

I really like Waterdown, as you say it is much more affordable than Oakville, they are currently building a very large new subdivision on the South side of Dundas to the East of the centre and also another one to the north. It has a British shop, if that kind of thing interests you, that sells some really great pork pies. It has easy access to a GO train station at Aldershot, just off Waterdown Road and a new access point to the 403 which helps too.

It is served by the Hamilton School Board, rather than Halton which you now are under. Regular track schooling is available all the way up to GR12 but if you want French Immersion then you only get that until Gr5 in Waterdown and then have to transfer to a Hamilton School.

Property taxes in Hamilton are renowned for being very high, in as much as the ratio of tax to value is higher than in other areas, however as the value is generally lower the actual dollar amount you pay could work out similar.

Also from Waterdown, it's a quick access to St Catherines and Niagara falls area. As mentioned above, the GO station is at Aldershot with ample parking space and the roads around there were redone in 2010. Nice subdivisions close by at reasonable prices and quick access to malls

My in-laws live on the mountain in Hamilton, so am familiar with that area. There is also an IKEA close by if that is any consolation

My in-laws lived in Waterdown for a while (eventually moved out because MIL couldn't stand the neighbours, but that's another story...) They obviously didn't have school-age kids, so this is very much second-hand advice, but from talking to people who know both Waterdown and Oakville I'd suggest you look carefully at what your kids like to do outside school and whether that is available for them to do in or near Waterdown.

There are significantly fewer programs equivalent to all the Parks & Rec stuff that Oakville has. There are not so many sports clubs and other extracurricular societies. Of course, everything is available somewhere, but you may end up with a lot more mom-and-dad-taxi duties than you have now.

Aside from that, Waterdown is a lovely place. The scenery around Websters Falls and in the valley are stunning. The village centre is a bit twee (and suffers from having the relatively busy Dundas St running through it) but it's certainly prettier than the soulless repetitive sameness of many suburban environments including much of Oakville.

Oh, and Waterdown's Santa Claus parade in late November is excellent!

Thanks for all the comments, been out at weekend looking at different areas of Waterdown and schools so have narrowed down search somewhat.
Will look out for the Santa parade

thanks again

Did you get any piccies? What areas did you narrow it down to, areas overlooking the 403 West hwy?