I always wondered about this and would like thoughts from fellow desis. How about living in places like Hamilton, Grimsby or St Catherines? The housing is quite cheap (almost half prices compared to Mississauga) in these areas and hoefully your car insurances as well. With most now having the option to work from home, the commute is not going to be that great of an issue. Main concerns are things like schools and how the kids will adjust to a "mainly white only" scenarios.
What do you guys think?
T
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"The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be"
Location: Western Hemisphere
Posted on: 22-08-12 12:55:26
Quote:
Originally posted by Timon
I always wondered about this and would like thoughts from fellow desis. How about living in places like Hamilton, Grimsby or St Catherines? The housing is quite cheap (almost half prices compared to Mississauga) in these areas and hoefully your car insurances as well. With most now having the option to work from home, the commute is not going to be that great of an issue. Main concerns are things like schools and how the kids will adjust to a "mainly white only" scenarios.
What do you guys think?
T
I have never lived anywhere close to GTA. It was pretty much in Windsor. So, from my experience, yes, housing is a boat load cheaper. I can't comment on car insurance as I don't know what GTA rates are. It could be cheaper.
Every city has its share of good and bad school districts. As far as I am concerned, it is the adults that are more concerned about people's skin color. I am not sure why that should even be an issue. Just as an info, I lived in a small town in New York state and my son was the only non-white in the entire 3 section kindergarten class. The school was excellent and the teacher was great and my son had a smooth sailing. Same thing in the before and after care. He was invited to b'day parties and sleep-overs, etc.
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Dimple2001
Location: Somewhere on Earth
Posted on: 22-08-12 13:47:13
Timon, I agree with dimple2001. It also depends that your child or childrens should be able to blend with "mainly white only" scenarios. Few kids sometimes stay quite, don't play or talk much with white kids, they just not comfortable and once they grow then they pretty much gets along.
Car insurance in most of the case will be lower outside GTA. Just to test, you can call insurance company and give the postal code you intending to stay outside GTA and they will provide you with the quote which will also help you to make a decision.
Windsor is a dump. I have lived there and it is mainly a bedroom community for Canadians working in Detroit(bigger dump). Though I must admit that as a commuting Canadian it was a relief everyday when I approached our border from the US side.
I have lived in Waterloo area as well. Very livable, but also slightly isolated(from desi point of view). Indians over there are desperate for desi companionship and will latch on to you given the first opportunity. It's ok if you are attending school as there are not too many distractions.
London is also good, but it is not as multicultural as TO or even Windsor and Kitchwater.
St Catherines, Niagara is very picturesque. Would like to tryout the area sometime.
For all its faults, GTA is an interesting place to live a productive life, at least in Ontario. Though Ottawa residents would disagree.
Thoughts :
Job - you may have a WFH option today but may not stay that way for long, changing job will be an issue. Also working from home may not go well with the promotion prospect and if promoted you will be expected rather in the board room than at home. So in the long run buying home away from city may backfire. Also what if your wife wants to make here career ? Kids will have career question in coming years.
Hospital : You may not find good hospital in the area . Also in emergency the paramedics will take more time to reach there !
Events: In case you are event lover, you might know that most of the events, parades, sports here happen in the evening till late night or weekend , you will miss the fun ! .
Vicinity of good school or living with whites may not be issue but issue will arise when your kids will start colllege or university.
you may save on insurance but you will need more number of vehicles because option for public transport will be less, so every driver in the house will ask for one.
Gas is not getting cheaper for sure.
In general for past few decades, the movement is from towns to city and you will agree that is for the reasons like medical, transportation, amenities, jobs and action. Even Bboomers are preferring living in smaller condos than in countryside.
Go for smaller house in the city if cant afford a big one.
Hamilton has a terrible reputation but its changing. Its close to GTA and accessible by the train so its becoming a bedroom community. Some areas are quite nice (others are not). It has a fairly large immigrant population, but again it depends on which neighbourhood you are considering. The nice area by McMaster university, Westdale, is fairly white, as is the nicer area downtown near Locke. I don't know much about the suburban area on the mountain.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/research-stats/2001-hamilton.pdf This information is from the previous census.
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Is that you do all the things you set out to do
And live your life the way you love
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