[WZ1]

Hey Guys!

As some of you know I bought a condo in Hamilton about 2 months ago, I am just now moving in to the place. I will post before and after the renovation pictures later. Basicly what I wanted to know is.. while.. what do I need to know? I hear a lot of talk about crime in the downtown core and would like to know where is safe as I dont really want my wife to walk around at night and such if its really that bad.. I will be living in the Olympia on Charlton Ave E. Could you guys tell me about the best places to eat, where to avoid.. where we can walk.. were big walkers.. etc..

Thanks in Advance..

[flar]

Welcome to Hamilton!

I don't live downtown, but I never think about crime. My wife works on Barton St. and she doesn't worry about it. According to Statistics Canada, Hamilton's crime isn't too bad. In recent years, Hamilton's crime rate has been going down. Plus there are surveillance cameras downtown if that makes you feel any safer.

Crime rates for selected offences by census metropolitan area
Homicide Robbery Break-ins Auto theft Total Criminal Code Offences
2004 rate 2004 rate 2004 rate 2004 rate 2004 rate % change in rate 2003 to 2004*

Winnipeg1 4.9 229 1,124 1,932 12,167 1.9
Vancouver 2.6 148 1,325 1,104 11,814 0.2
Edmonton 3.4 141 1,129 1,018 11,332 3.0
Montréal 1.7 150 894 663 8,173 2.7
Calgary 1.9 91 815 457 7,101 -3.2
Hamilton 1.3 88 680 540 5,764 -13.0
Ottawa2 1.1 84 578 316 5,663 -10.0
Quebec 0.8 59 783 277 4,997 -0.9
Toronto 1.8 103 449 325 4,699 -8.6

[SteelTown]

Crime in the downtown isn't bad, probably the biggest myth out there for Hamilton. I can only think of one big crime that happened in downtown Hamilton and that was a kid getting stabbed outside of a nightclub. The police used Youtube to catch the killer. The rest are drug related crimes, every city face that problem.

For stuff to do in the neighbourhood you should talk to DC he's your neighbour now lol

[raisethehammer]

I don't know where this view of crime in downtown Hamilton comes from.
The executive director of the International Village BIA lives in your building...she's a sweet lady who has lived there for decades and walks down Ferguson to work every day. And guess what? no problems. not once.
Check out James South, King East (James to Wellington), King William, James North, Hess and Locke South. Even John South is developing a nifty little district with bars/restaurants etc.... and of course, the Farmers Market/library are great.
Welcome...let's see some pics this week when it gets bitter cold and sunny on Wed-Friday. Your view will be killer.

[the dude]

ya, i don't know where this hamilton=crime talk has come from. yes, if look back at the homicide stats from the 70s and 80s they were pretty grim compared to today. anyway, like everyone else has already stated, downtown is safe.

check out augusta street and the corktown for good food and drink. both are a couple blocks from you. cheers!

[BCTed]

I have heard that there are shootings in Hamilton on a fairly regular basis. Is that true?

[SteelTown]

lol that a joke?

I have heard there's houses being blowing up each night because a meth lab gone bad which happens on a regular basis as well.

[DC83]

HEY!
I think I would have the best answers for the neighbourhood since I'm your newest neighbour (I guess).
Corktown is not NEARLY as bad as it seems.
I used to work til like 2-3 am some nights, roller blade home and be completely safe.
The WORST that has happened to me in the recent past (I think this was back in Nov or Dec) was a drunk guy coming up to me wanting to be my best-friend! :p

ONLY SUGGESTION re.: crime: DO NOT allow your friends / family to park under Victoria School. I've seen a lot of theft / vandalism happen to cars under there.

Congrats and WELCOME, WZ1! Look forward to seeing you round the block (taking pics I'm assuming). hehe

SUGGESTION for Entertainment: Read The View magazing (http://www.viewmag.com) for upcoming events; Corktown has some good shows sometimes.
CHECK OUT Modern India Buffet on Main / Walnut... best buffet downtown (IMO).
Ummm, Augusta Street (aka Hess Jr for the "older" crowd).
But most imoprtantly, just walk around and discover things -- best way to find stuff anywhere you live!

[raisethehammer]

you nailed it DC. great advice.

[NorthEndRules]

I hear your building's got a squash court. I was thinking of buying a unit there when I first moved to Hamilton. For good Indian Food, go to Modern Indian Cuisine on Main st and Walnut(?) Enjoy a cup of coffee at P.A.M. at jackson square. Check out Denningers and the Asian mart on the second level (just try the honeydew popsicles).

[raisethehammer]

there's a couple great hot pot places near your condo.
Hot Pot House on John and Augusta and Liu Liu Hot Pot on Walnut between King and Main (just past Modern India)

[WIGS]

Congrats WZ1!

[BCTed]

lol that a joke?

I have heard there's houses being blowing up each night because a meth lab gone bad which happens on a regular basis as well.

Why would it be a joke?

[flar]

^^There are certain Hamilton residents who would like to think Hamilton's hard like Detroit or something. I think there were 7 murders last year, there are usually under 10 per year, one of the lowest murder rates in Canada, mostly stabbings and beatings. I guess people believe the myths because of Hamilton's gritty appearance.

[SteelTown]

Why would it be a joke?

Have you heard any shootings yet on the news lately?

[raisethehammer]

let's not waste an ounce of breath on whether Hamilton is Compton.
I noticed tonight a new sign for the 'James Forest Cafe' on James South in the complex with nice new apartments.

[DC83]

I hear your building's got a squash court. I was thinking of buying a unit there when I first moved to Hamilton. For good Indian Food, go to Modern Indian Cuisine on Main st and Walnut(?) Enjoy a cup of coffee at P.A.M. at jackson square. Check out Denningers and the Asian mart on the second level (just try the honeydew popsicles).


Squash Court, yes. But no one plays Squash in it anymore... Mostly basketball (That's what I play anyway).
There is a Trophy in the Squash room for the Olympia Tower Squash Tournament... last winner was in 1981. hahaha

There's also: a ping pong table, billiards room, Indoor Pool / Sauna, Gym, Convenience Str and a 24hr Laundry Room bigger than most Laundromats!

[raisethehammer]

no pics yet??

[BCTed]

Have you heard any shootings yet on the news lately?

http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/breakingnews/breakingnews_8017242.html

[SteelTown]

31 days into the year and one shooting still doesn't count as being on a "fairly regular basis".

[raisethehammer]

nor is it anywhere near downtown.
If a city of half a mil has a shooting between feuding druggies once a month, that's pretty good in my books.

[BCTed]

You guys might want to re-ground your "once a month" heuristic:

http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/breakingnews/breakingnews_4952331.html

So it does look like there are regular enough shootings. Anyway, I still like Hamilton all the same. I don't seem to remember it getting this cold during my previous visits though.

[SteelTown]

This is February, a new month lol, just toying with you.

But yea it's a city of 700,000 and not what you may think a city of innocent angels.

[raisethehammer]

in my mind there is a big difference between drug buddies or drunk pals that shoot each other and actual 'shootings' where innocent people sitting on a TTC bus or shopping on Yonge St get shot and killed.
If some private club has shootings once a week, I really could care less.
I won't join. I'll simply continue walking in the city at all times of the day and night knowing that I'm completely safe as long as I don't join said private club.

[BCTed]

This is February, a new month lol, just toying with you.

But yea it's a city of 700,000 and not what you may think a city of innocent angels.

To say that Hamilton is a city of 700,000 people is fudging. You are probably quoting the census CMA figures, which include non-Hamilton places like Burlington.

I am guessing that it is no more or less dangerous to walk the streets of Toronto than it is to walk the streets of Hamilton.

[raisethehammer]

To say that Hamilton is a city of 700,000 people is fudging. You are probably quoting the census CMA figures, which include non-Hamilton places like Burlington.

I am guessing that it is no more or less dangerous to walk the streets of Toronto than it is to walk the streets of Hamilton.

hmm, interesting opinion.
Let me know the next time you hear of an innocent bystander killed on an HSR bus or hanging out on Locke Street.

[BCTed]

hmm, interesting opinion.
Let me know the next time you hear of an innocent bystander killed on an HSR bus or hanging out on Locke Street.

I'm not sure about the bus incident, but the Yonge Street Labour Day shooting was over a year ago now. Toronto also has a much larger population than does Hamilton, so such incidents will happen with greater frequency as a matter of course. They hardly merit concern when walking the streets of the city.

Shootings in Hamilton do not scare me all that much either, but they do occur.... and I know that there have been instances of shots fired on the street.

[raisethehammer]

a young girl was shot on a TTC bus a number of months ago.
I have friends in Scarborough who's dad was shot in his backyard and someone else in their neighbourhood who was shot walking home from the grocery store. All recently.
Hamilton is incredibly safe for it's size.

[MonkeyRonin]

But yea it's a city of 700,000 and not what you may think a city of innocent angels.

I think this is where WZI would get the idea that Hamilton is dangerous. From the sounds of it, its just whiners who believe their city is super dangerous when they hear about a murder, which gets hyped up and actually does give the city a bad reputation.

[matt602]

Welcome to the Hammer :) I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay.

[MsMe]

Most trouble you seem to see in Hamilton is due to drug related issues.

If in doubt you can purchase these at Canadian Tire and they are fairly inexpensive, is a personal alarm. Some are quite small and can attach to a keychain but they do have different styles.