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I think when all is said and done Canada is not like the USA. The country takes much better care of its citizens (free healthcare, generous pensions, all kinds of help for everything you can imagine) My son and daughter live there and we spend many months per year visiting. We take a 1 hour drive out of the city and there are so many nice little towns, not rundown with cute little restaurants, nice landscaping. There are unlimited things to do. I am talking the area around Ottawa where our daughter lives. They are actually building a light rail that goes all over the City. We will be able to go downtown in 10 minutes from her house. The countries are adjacent, but the USA and Canada are worlds apart.
To be honest, I don't think the OP is looking into this on that level, but I could be wrong. I say that due to starting other threads in the NY forum in the past.
Ironically, the Thousand Islands, which is a region that is on both sides of the border, is only like an hour and a half-45 minutes, if that, from Ottawa as well(Clayton is only 108 miles and Alex Bay is only 97 miles from Downtown Ottawa). Both are about 3 hours, give or take, on the 401 from Toronto and Montreal.
Last edited by ckhthankgod; 03-21-2023 at 09:44 AM..
We're currently traveling full-time, but ultimately with the goal of finding a place where we want to live. We're going to spend the entire summer exploring NY and southern Ontario Canada. It's partially for pleasure / enjoyment but also in the back of our minds we're always thinking "would we want to live here?" We've narrowed our choices down to RI, CT, NY, and southern Ontario Canada.
Some of the NY places suggested in this thread we have visited before and will return to this summer, others we have never been to and would like to see. We've never been to Niagara-on-the-Lake. It was highly recommended to me in the Canada forum and it looks really lovely!
and if I'm going to mention that community, might as well mention this similar community in between Syracuse and Utica as well: https://thisishamiltonny.com/
OP, after reading the article, what you could easily do is live in Lewiston, which is literally across the Niagara River from the town and is a nice town in its own right. That way, you can also go to NOTL within minutes. You also have this venue in Lewiston: https://www.artpark.net/
As for the upscale piece, many of the NY communities mentioned have that to some degree. I'd say that Saratoga Springs is more well known out of those mentioned, but I'd say that Skaneateles(village) is the most affluent of the communities mentioned. I believe it is the only one with a 6 figure median household income and its location in between Syracuse and Auburn, allows for flexibility. An example of this is if you are into live theater, not only is there Syracuse Stage in Syracuse, which offers professional theater, as well as productions from Syracuse University's Drama department: https://vpa.syr.edu/academics/drama/theater-complex/ , you also have the The Rev Theatre Company at the Merry Go Round Playhouse in Emerson Park in Auburn: https://therevtheatre.com There is some overlapping between the two, but you would be minutes from live performances all year. This doesn't include the Redhouse Arts Center in Syracuse: https://theredhouse.org/ and the Cortland Repertory Theatre in Preble(summer) and Cortland(the rest of the year): https://cortlandrep.org/ , among others in the area.
There is a big difference you will notice when travelling in the Canadian Niagara Region. On the US side there are mansions and commercial enterprises lining the Niagara River and Gorge. On the Canadian side the area is under the supervision of the Niagara Parks Commission with NO private homes and NO commercial development. The Canadian side is always beautifully manicured. The are public parks where you have a picnic lunch and enjoy spectacular views of the gorge. They also work with the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture to further beautify the area. Be sure to check out the Arboretum and Butterfly exhibit. The topiary in Niagara Falls Canada is exquisite.
Interesting…So, it sounds like it may be more comparable to the Thousand Islands region of the state north of Watertown(an hour and 15 minutes or so from Syracuse), though communities on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario such as Sackets Harbor and Cape Vincent(touches the St. Lawrence River too) are included in that region’s tourism information. That part of the state doesn’t get mentioned too much, but I’d say that Clayton and Sackets Harbor would have a similar appeal and there are wineries in the general area. Some history related to the War of 1812 is in Sackets Harbor, Clayton has a nice boat museum and an opera house. Alexandria Bay would also have a similar appeal as well.
Riveredge Resort in Alex Bay is a popular lodging spot and many like to take the Uncle Sam Boat Tour to Boldt Castle on Heart Island.
Cape Vincent has a French Festival and you can take Horne’s Ferry from there to Kingston Ontario.
There are also a couple of state park beaches on Lake Ontario, Southwick Beach and Westcott Beach, in the area.
OP, I noticed this from another thread on here where you posted this:
"We lived in Buffalo for several years, my mom and sister live in Rochester, and my dearest friend lives in Auburn, so I am familiar with those parts of NY state, but we've never visited the Hudson Valley.
Some qualities and characteristics I appreciate are:
- An overall historic feel
- A great downtown that is pedestrian friendly
- Not totally dominated by the 18-24 yr old crowd, prefer a mix of ages, families, retired folks, etc.
- I don't know what to call this but in my General U.S. forum thread I called it "wonders" - like how Newport has the spectacular mansions and ocean views and Ithaca has awe-inspiring waterfalls. Something special that makes you feel like "wow I am lucky to live where I can see this all the time."
Are you still looking for a place that fits that criteria? Do you have a population/size criteria? What about amenities/things to do?
Are you still looking for a place that fits that criteria?
I think generally the answer is yes... but I've realized that instead of being so methodical about criteria I'd rather just enjoy the experience of visiting places that look nice and interesting. I know we'll end up finding "home" along the way.
Something that really draws me to Niagara-on-the-Lake is that it looks so meticulously beautified, pristine, and well cared for.
I think generally the answer is yes... but I've realized that instead of being so methodical about criteria I'd rather just enjoy the experience of visiting places that look nice and interesting. I know we'll end up finding "home" along the way.
Something that really draws me to Niagara-on-the-Lake is that it looks so meticulously beautified, pristine, and well cared for.
Yes, it does look nice. I think you can find some places in NY that are well cared for, but just in a different way.
Now, you did mention that some of the places that were mentioned earlier in the thread, you have been to already. What are some of the places you’ve been to and the ones that you haven’t been to?
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