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Originally Posted by matt602
First of all I want to say that it's excellent to see people coming to Southern Ontario from the UK. I don't know too many people from the UK but the ones I do always seem so interesting and have a different view on life than anyone else I know. I guess things are really different over there.
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I think the same of my north american friends. They have such a different take on life that it's great. Personally I can't think of anything better than two people from different cultural backgrounds getting together, which is why I've never been that attracted to my fellow Brits.
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Originally Posted by matt602
The accents from different parts of the UK are also so awesome to hear I guess just like you came here hoping to hear people going "eh" and talking about hockey and maple syrup...
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We do have a huge diversity of accents for such a small country and my American friends are forever saying "so that's accent is Scottish?" to which I have to answer "No, that's Scouse... Brummie... Geordie... Mancunian... etc." I don't know why they think every new accent they hear is Scottish, but hey ho. I do like Canadian accents, they're softer than American ones. My general experience of Canadians suggests that they're a very friendly people, I hope that I'm not proven wrong.
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Originally Posted by matt602
Anyway I'm glad you're so excited about coming here, I'm sure you'll feel right at home within no time at all.
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What's not to be excited about? OK, the city has a few downsides, but then so does everywhere. As I saw in April, the city has "the bones", with a few visionary people it'll be amazing in a few years time and I'd rather get in while I can and watch it transform around me (help it transform if I can) than stay here where I'm no longer happy and re-examine things in a few years and realise I made a mistake. I'd much rather make a mistake following a dream than to regret not having done so. I know people might be a little shocked about following a dream to move to Hamilton, lol, but actually the dream is to live in Canada and grow as a person as a result, the place isn't "that" important, it was going to be Vancouver, now it's going to be Hamilton. Home is what you make of it and I'm hoping to find some pretty cool people in Hamilton to help me feel at home :-)
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Originally Posted by matt602
Everybody has already covered the areas I would have suggested in this thread. You definitely want to be downtown or at least "central". I would have personally suggested a loft or condo downtown... but then I realize that Hamilton isn't exactly supplying too awesomely in regards to that.
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Had I not lent half my money to family (the things we do), I'd have had about $300k to throw around and would definitely have bought a super slick condo. I don't think the outside is that exciting, but the Core Lofts condos that were for sale looked gorgeous in that price range when I was looking on MLS in April. There was also a lovely apartment in the Olympia Towers that had stunning views and was perfect for me at about $140k. No wonder that was on and off the site again in the week I was looking.
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Originally Posted by matt602
If the Royal Connaught condo project actually takes off though, I'm sure you'll be taking a look at it. Lots of British history in that old hotel, I might add. A couple of royal visits over the years.
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British History and Royal visits? You do know that most of our Royal Family is german don't you? :-P That said I have the utmost respect for the Queen. The rest of them... well... Back on subject, where is this condo project?
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Originally Posted by matt602
Anyway I'll be watching this thread pretty closely. I hope everything falls into place for you so you can enjoy your first spring and summer here in Hamilton next year.
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Me too, all depends on the housing market at the time. Damn these mortgage lock ins...
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Originally Posted by matt602
If you need to know anything about the extreme Eastern part of Hamilton, I can help you out. I live right near the border with Stoney Creek. I know you expressed little interest in that area, but I could still help identify areas of interest.
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East Hamilton isn't off the map for me, but unless the LRT definitely happens I don't think I'd want to live there. I'm more of a walker than a public transport taker, if I can avoid it. It's not the cost, compared to London your buses are reasonably cheap, I just like the convenience of having things on my doorstep. I've ridden your buses and to their credit they seemed clean and ontime. Obviously the people who ride the bus get to know the drivers, because there was a lot of chatting between driver and passenger, pretty much unheard of on London buses! Personally, I know this is for another thread, but as a potential new resident of your city, I really hope LRT happens. I've seen how it has transformed the inner cities of places in the UK.
My parents are an entirely different story. If I move, with both of their children in Hamilton they will definitely move and when they sell up they'll have far more money than I do to play with. Mum's already fallen for the style of house, throw in a big back yard, a porch she can sit on and do her Grandma thing and she'll be all set.
I have to say, if everyone is as welcoming as people on this forum seem to be, I'm definitely going to stay excited about the move!