act1980

Hi,

I would like to learn more about this town and would be grateful for any information.



Many thanks!!

dbd33

It's a Chinese speaking suburb of Toronto. I used to have to drive through it once a week and was in fear for my life and paintwork.

act1980

So no white people live there at all?

dbd33

Oh sure, there are some, there was a poster on here who moved there and a native Indian mate of mine lived there for a while. However, the signage is in Chinese and the language spoken in shops and restaurants is predominantly Chinese. I know of a man who quit a very senior job in Guelph because he couldn't put up with commuting from Markham anymore, he couldn't move because neither his wife nor mother wanted to have to learn English.

Great place for dim sum.

act1980

Hmmm, not sure if I would like that tbh. This I would feel out of place. My Fiance is Chinese but he doesn't speak the language and I think even he would feel out of place lol!

dbd33

Still, while you're visiting you might want to go here:

http://www.pacificmalltoronto.com/

get the feel of Markham.

Partially discharged

A commute from Markham to Guelph would be a real slog at the best of times.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markham,_Ontario

This website gives you a pretty good idea about Markham...the white population and the chinese population are basically the same as of 2006.

Love the photo of "Markham suburbs"

MMM_TO

Nasty ugly place... but then most of the GTA is.

JamesM

I've eaten in that place and barely lived to tell this tale.............

act1980

Atlantic Xpat

I was in Markham yesterday and today. Stayed at the Hilton on the corner of 7th and Warden I think it is. (Nice hotel btw.) It reminded me of Shenzen, China. Lots of shiny new construction and Asian people! As suburban GTA it seemed indistinguishable from Richmond Hill (where I was this afternoon) or anywhere else.

There is lots of electronic manufacturing in Markham. If that's your industry then it would be a good place to work if not live.

Last night we went to Unionville which is nearby Markham. Perfectly preserved quaintness in a Stepford Wives sort of way. The kind of place where driving the wrong kind of car - a mid 90's Honda civic - gets you hauled over by the OPP for the third degree. In our all-show-and-no-go Pontiac G8 we fitted in with the parade of higher end automotive wonder.