Best and worst details about your part of Canada ...

[Morningrise]

Originally Posted by deneb78

Vancouver, BC (other Vancouver posters might disagree but here is my take)

PROS:
-Decent weather in the Canadian context and mediocre weather in a global one
-Beautiful scenery
-Great recreational opportunities close to the city (hiking, skiing, kayaking)
-Good culinary scene for a city of its size
-Public transit is pretty decent for a city if its size at least by North American standards


CONS:
-Cost of real estate has reached ridiculous proportions and now the average worker can't afford even a townhouse in the city
-Job market is rather weak for a city of its size
-Very large homeless population for a city of its size and a lot of them seem to have psychiatric problems and addictions.
-Traffic can be pretty horrible even during off peak hours
-Due to the transient nature of the population in general, it can be hard at times to develop long term friendships as people seem to be constantly moving in and out of Vancouver.

Agreed with pretty much all of this. To the "Cons" list I would add the risk of a massive earthquake and people's general lack of preparation for it (both on an individual level and societal level). If we get lucky and it doesn't happen for 100 years then our knowledge and technology will probably be at a point where we can mitigate most of the damage, but if it happens tomorrow there's gonna be a whole lot of head shaking and regret and "we knew this was coming, why didn't we do more to prepare?!"

Originally Posted by arctic_gardener

Sask.

PROS:

Clean air and water.
Quiet.
Less nanny state interference than in certain other provinces which shall remain unnamed.
Land is still cheap by both Canadian and world standards, if you're not too close to a population center.
They know how to do Ukrainian food.

CONS:

Many people are still stuck in the 1950s in terms of stereotyping and racism. Sometimes the ignorance is just harmless, but sometimes it can be very damaging to one's self-esteem and career.
Winters are long and cold. Summers are short and not consistently warm. Seriously, southern Ontarians don't realize how lucky they are in this respect.

To the "Pros" list I would add the city's river valley trails. The rest of the city has disappointingly little in terms of parks, but those river valley trails are awesome and I definitely miss them. Also I would add that the older neighbourhoods in the city (Nutana, Varsity View, etc) are really nice, the city gets a surprising number of touring bands, big-name events, etc. considering how small and isolated it is, and the airport is absolutely fantastic after the recent upgrades.

To the "Cons" list I would include the fact that the city is full of sprawling cookie-cutter suburban subdivisions and continues to build them as the primary form of development. If they keep it up at this rate the city's gonna look like Calgary in 20 years

Meanwhile, downtown Saskatoon is full of gravel parking lots and doesn't even have a proper grocery store (last time I checked), and they keep building more strip-mall type developments on 8th Street (like that new one at Louise) instead of putting in a long-term plan to densify the corridor. Though I guess all this fits in with the aforementioned 1950s mentality.

Also, I would list the terrible transit system as a "Con". Though apparently there are some genuine efforts to improve it underway, with a BRT system planned for the next few years and significantly increased bus frequencies on 8th Street (every 7.5 minutes at rush hour, 10 minutes off-peak - would've LOVED that back when I lived in town and took the bus down 8th Street regularly). So I guess that's a plus.

[fusion2]

Originally Posted by klmrocks

I like nice stuff, but am always value conscious. No Frills for groceries ..... Of course. It is my preferred grocery store. Why would I pay more for the same food? Farmers markets in Toronto are not actually cheap in my opinion. I am a recreational shopper and only buy things when they are on sale ex 50% or more off. Some things never go on sale, but most do at some point and when they do I am there with open arms to snatch them up. I know where to look for deals and that is just how I try to get the most out of my money. I plan ahead ex Christmas, Birthday, Holiday shopping throughout the year so I can get stuff at the best deals possible. The only catch is that this requires storage space and you need to know how to manage your inventory properly. Let's just say if I was in a coma and woke up on Christmas Eve. I would still be in a good position to exchange great holiday gifts with my family. Is this nuts ... A bit to many people, but for me shopping is therapeutic and fun. It has taught me strategies to get what I want at the best price point as I am way more aware of sale trends and know when to snap up stuff. I am also not against getting certain things second had as if it works for designers why should I have such rigid standards?

In the summer there is a place to buy produce at a flea market on airport road... Can't think of the name of it but its so cheap that I actually drive out there every other weekend to buy. I'm going to go soon and will pass along the details to you!! So fresh and cheap for everything.. Cheaper than No Frills but better quality too!

[fusion2]

Originally Posted by botticelli

I like nice things too, who doesn't ? But we should always refrain from buying from impulse. There were some clothes that I had my eyes on in Eaton Centre for weeks but they were too expensive. I certainly can afford them but just didn't think they were worth it. But hey two days ago they were on 50% sale and I snatched three immediately.

I agree among highly urban and livable cities Toronto is not particularly expensive. Last time I went back I was shocked how expensive Shanghai is - condos are at least 30% more pricey and rent is rapidly catching up - a nice one bedroom in downtown rents $800-1000 now! In Beijing people spent $1m to buy a 200sf old apartment because of school district believe it or not. 1 million canadian$! Think Vancouver is expensive? Think again. restaurant and clothes are about the same price as Toronto nowadays. Even in "cheap US" only those suburban- ish cities are really cheap. NYC, Boston and SF definitely aren't. Los Angeles and Seattle aren't either. And you can't seriously compare Toronto with San Diego or Atlanta.

Oh I splurge every once in awhile on things too.. I work hard and get paid well and in a dual income home.. We've got our expenses in check but i'd rather invest and travel as opposed to spending 5 times what I need to for something simply because it has a name attached to it.

Honestly, I can't remember the last time I shopped for clothes in Canada. I prefer Asia - clothes always fit me better and they do alterations right in the premises for free lol... Try doing that at the Eaton Centre.. I'm thrilled Uniqlo is coming to Toronto at the end of the year and yes - they will be close to you at the Eaton Centre.

As for you comments re Toronto vs other cities in terms of cost - totally agreed. Glad you survived jumping out the window into a snow drift - (see snow has a useful purpose cushioning a fall lol).. See, now you live to see the sun!

[klmrocks]

Originally Posted by fusion2

In the summer there is a place to buy produce at a flea market on airport road... Can't think of the name of it but its so cheap that I actually drive out there every other weekend to buy. I'm going to go soon and will pass along the details to you!! So fresh and cheap for everything.. Cheaper than No Frills but better quality too!

Yes please do let me know regarding the fruit market. I grew up in the north west of the city, but since moving to the south east of the city I do not head up that way as much. I have spend the bulk of the weekend cleaning up by backyard and trying to prepared for planting my own garden. This is a bitter sweet experience. Right now it is the bloody pain in the butt part. 2 days and 16 hours later I am only 1/3 done ). The joys of south east Toronto is you could have gotten a nice chunk of property with a home on it at a way better value then other parts of the city. Maintaining the land can be a bit of a pain. Having many old trees that can literally split you house if/ when the fall over is also scary. Fine for cutting down a tree in this city of a certain trunk width is $100 000.00. So lets just say during strong winds, lightening storms and ice storm type situations I sleep in my basement . Hopefully by mid-July my backyard with have lots of stuff growing in it. Hopefully I will get to it before all the animals that live there do. I don't eat anything that has been bitten by something else . I get a lot of my produce from this fruit/veg store around Palmerson and Bloor (in the Bathursth and Bloor area). Fresh and great prices. In the summer I want to head up to Niagra if you drive on the local roads there are falls that have self help type stand ex you drop $2 in the box, take a bag and fill it. $2 a huge bag of farm fresh peaches .... delicious. I generally don't care of Niagra Fall as I have been there too often to enjoy it anymore ... up I would drive 1 1/2 to get fresh fruit/veg straight from a farm. Those peaches will amazing. When people think of Canada they often think of cold weather and snow, but the is really only 1/4 of the year (at least where I live). The rest of the year the weather is pretty good. I with an amazing weekend like just happening ... it looks like the 9 months of pretty wicked weather just started ! In my opinion there is just so many interest, different and cool things going on in Toronto and the surround area from Spring to Fall to really want to leave.

[fusion2]

Originally Posted by klmrocks

Yes please do let me know regarding the fruit market. I grew up in the north west of the city, but since moving to the south east of the city I do not head up that way as much. I have spend the bulk of the weekend cleaning up by backyard and trying to prepared for planting my own garden. This is a bitter sweet experience. Right now it is the bloody pain in the butt part. 2 days and 16 hours later I am only 1/3 done ). The joys of south east Toronto is you could have gotten a nice chunk of property with a home on it at a way better value then other parts of the city. Maintaining the land can be a bit of a pain. Having many old trees that can literally split you house if/ when the fall over is also scary. Fine for cutting down a tree in this city of a certain trunk width is $100 000.00. So lets just say during strong winds, lightening storms and ice storm type situations I sleep in my basement . Hopefully by mid-July my backyard with have lots of stuff growing in it. Hopefully I will get to it before all the animals that live there do. I don't eat anything that has been bitten by something else . I get a lot of my produce from this fruit/veg store around Palmerson and Bloor (in the Bathursth and Bloor area). Fresh and great prices. In the summer I want to head up to Niagra if you drive on the local roads there are falls that have self help type stand ex you drop $2 in the box, take a bag and fill it. $2 a huge bag of farm fresh peaches .... delicious. I generally don't care of Niagra Fall as I have been there too often to enjoy it anymore ... up I would drive 1 1/2 to get fresh fruit/veg straight from a farm. Those peaches will amazing. When people think of Canada they often think of cold weather and snow, but the is really only 1/4 of the year (at least where I live). The rest of the year the weather is pretty good. I with an amazing weekend like just happening ... it looks like the 9 months of pretty wicked weather just started ! In my opinion there is just so many interest, different and cool things going on in Toronto and the surround area from Spring to Fall to really want to leave.

I will let you know! Having your own garden is awesome though.. A guy from work occasionally brings in grape tomatoes from his garden and well they are awesome - so sweet I could eat dozens of em!!

Good info on Niagara.. My partner and I LOVE peaches

We'll be sure to be on the lookout this summer.

[BruSan]

Originally Posted by klmrocks

Yes please do let me know regarding the fruit market. I grew up in the north west of the city, but since moving to the south east of the city I do not head up that way as much. I have spend the bulk of the weekend cleaning up by backyard and trying to prepared for planting my own garden. This is a bitter sweet experience. Right now it is the bloody pain in the butt part. 2 days and 16 hours later I am only 1/3 done ). The joys of south east Toronto is you could have gotten a nice chunk of property with a home on it at a way better value then other parts of the city. Maintaining the land can be a bit of a pain. Having many old trees that can literally split you house if/ when the fall over is also scary. Fine for cutting down a tree in this city of a certain trunk width is $100 000.00. So lets just say during strong winds, lightening storms and ice storm type situations I sleep in my basement . Hopefully by mid-July my backyard with have lots of stuff growing in it. Hopefully I will get to it before all the animals that live there do. I don't eat anything that has been bitten by something else . I get a lot of my produce from this fruit/veg store around Palmerson and Bloor (in the Bathursth and Bloor area). Fresh and great prices. In the summer I want to head up to Niagra if you drive on the local roads there are falls that have self help type stand ex you drop $2 in the box, take a bag and fill it. $2 a huge bag of farm fresh peaches .... delicious. I generally don't care of Niagra Fall as I have been there too often to enjoy it anymore ... up I would drive 1 1/2 to get fresh fruit/veg straight from a farm. Those peaches will amazing. When people think of Canada they often think of cold weather and snow, but the is really only 1/4 of the year (at least where I live). The rest of the year the weather is pretty good. I with an amazing weekend like just happening ... it looks like the 9 months of pretty wicked weather just started ! In my opinion there is just so many interest, different and cool things going on in Toronto and the surround area from Spring to Fall to really want to leave.

Having a tree felled should involve calling around the Mennonite community who will often charge you far less due to them using the wood and not cutting it into firewood bits.

A friend near Guelph had one of those old HUGE willow trees in his back yard and needed it gone due to roots invading everything from weepers to septic system. After getting some local prices he was tipped to a Mennonite crew who were less than a third of the cost and they showed up with three guys who were all up in that tree simultaneously cutting away with two women on the ground hauling the lengths out to the truck using two axles with removable wheels and armstronging them between the houses.

That huge tree was gone and yard cleaned up to perfection in less than 4 hours of work.

[knoxfordguy]

Fredericton

Pro: population only 60,000
Con: population only 60,000



I'm fickle haha

[klmrocks]

Originally Posted by BruSan

Having a tree felled should involve calling around the Mennonite community who will often charge you far less due to them using the wood and not cutting it into firewood bits.

A friend near Guelph had one of those old HUGE willow trees in his back yard and needed it gone due to roots invading everything from weepers to septic system. After getting some local prices he was tipped to a Mennonite crew who were less than a third of the cost and they showed up with three guys who were all up in that tree simultaneously cutting away with two women on the ground hauling the lengths out to the truck using two axles with removable wheels and armstronging them between the houses.

That huge tree was gone and yard cleaned up to perfection in less than 4 hours of work.

It is not the cost of cutting the tree down that is the problem in Toronto. You have to get a permit from the city to cut a tree down which requires an assessment from a Arborist (tree specialist) and it is a big bloody drama that cost a lot just to get an okay or no you can go ahead and cut the tree down. I you don't go threw this process and get caught the fine is up to $100 000 per tree. I hoping to wrap a few of those trees in tin foil and pray they get hit by lightening when I am not home ! That might do the trick.