Question about neighbourhoods in Hamilton

discomonkey · #1 Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 10:19 PM**

Hi all,

I'm looking for a new apartment to move into starting September first. I've been in Hamilton for nearly 10 years now and have never lived anywhere east of John St. I'm currently living across from Pier 4 park and would love to stay in the area but there is nothing available for rental out here right now. I was hoping to get everybody's opinions on some buildings/neighbourhoods I was currently thinking about. In no particular order:

1) Jarvis Square Condos
2) The Annex Lofts
3) Some renovated condos at Main and Sherman (these look like they would be very nice on the inside, I'm just wary of the neighbourhood)

I'll add more buildings once I find vacancies but if I can get some opinions on the ones listed here, that would be great!

Thanks in advance,

Mike

Millstone · #2 Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 10:44 PM**

I'm in #2 right now and just sold my unit. There are another two units for sale on the second floor. Do not pay $145k for 206, that's just ridiculous and they're clearly not interested in selling; wait until you get in there and see what the view is like, lol. There's a reason the drapes are closed in the photos. Market average for these units is about 130 or so, more if it's a corner, penthouse and/or has a parking spot. They top out at about $179k on a good day. When I listed mine, 205 reacted by dropping to $125k. I've heard the colours suck, so just paint it and you should be good to go. Good luck

discomonkey · #3 Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 10:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millstone

I'm in #2 right now and just sold my unit. There are another two units for sale on the second floor. Do not pay $145k for 206, that's just ridiculous and they're clearly not interested in selling; wait until you get in there and see what the view is like, lol. There's a reason the drapes are closed in the photos. Market average for these units is about 130 or so, more if it's a corner, penthouse and/or has a parking spot. They top out at about $179k on a good day. When I listed mine, 205 reacted by dropping to $125k. I've heard the colours suck, so just paint it and you should be good to go. Good luck

Thanks for the info but I'm actually looking for a rental for the time being.

emge · #4 Posted **Jul 31, 2009, 12:43 AM**

Personally I don't think living right at Main/Sherman is worth the hassle... there's some nice side streets near there, especially between King and Main, but I'd look into the other two options.

Millstone · #5 Posted **Jul 31, 2009, 4:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by discomonkey

Thanks for the info but I'm actually looking for a rental for the time being.

Dude, nothing's available for rent? Kijiji is flooded with rentals.

discomonkey · #6 Posted **Jul 31, 2009, 12:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millstone

Dude, nothing's available for rent? Kijiji is flooded with rentals.

In the Pier4/Bayfront area? I only see a listing for Harmony Apartments and I would like to find something a little "nicer".

BrianE · #7 Posted **Jul 31, 2009, 1:24 PM**

I live in the Sherman - Gage south of Main Area. Been here three years now, its a good neighborhood. You will not feel ripped off or endangered to live here or slightly north between King and Main. You take your chances the further north you go.

I love the looks of the apartments along Main, I've never been inside but I've seen pictures and many of them look decent. You will have to contend with the traffic noise and exhaust coming off of Main St. However, you'll have access to bus stops literaly seconds from your door.

Take a wander through the streets south of Main, along Delaware and the other side streets. There are a lot of old mansions converted to apartments or large duplexes. Often better than apartment building living.

Oh, check out the corner of Albert St and Delaware. There's an apartment there that I always wandered what it would be like to live in, I believe it's looking for tenants.

realcity · #8 Posted **Jul 31, 2009, 3:08 PM**

Herkimer at Bay is missing its cornice brackets.

emge · #9 Posted **Jul 31, 2009, 3:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by discomonkey

In the Pier4/Bayfront area? I only see a listing for Harmony Apartments and I would like to find something a little "nicer".

If you go into the "housing" section on kijiji and search for "bayfront" or "pier 4" each will pull up a few other apartments in the area - there's a few houses and apartments above stores on there right now. (one is above the harbour diner, some others on james and catharine n).

discomonkey · #10 Posted **Jul 31, 2009, 9:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by emge

If you go into the "housing" section on kijiji and search for "bayfront" or "pier 4" each will pull up a few other apartments in the area - there's a few houses and apartments above stores on there right now. (one is above the harbour diner, some others on james and catharine n).

I've already done that search and checked those ones out. Not really what I'm looking for. I'm going to check out Jarvis Square and the Annex this weekend - hopefully those work out. As much as I do like the Bayfront/Pier area, I want to find something a little more "condo-ish"... thanks anyway.

emge · #11 Posted **Aug 1, 2009, 4:36 AM**

Good luck - tell us how it goes.

It likely doesn't fit into the condo-like environment you're searching for, but there's also that apartment building at the far north end of Catharine Street, right near the waterfront - I heard it used to be not-so-great, but it's been fixed up over the past few years - but I've never been inside and couldn't say for sure.

Some friends of mine live a few houses down the street and they've never had issues with the residents - apparently it's pretty quiet and well maintained, at least on the exterior.