The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread - Page 327

mylesmalley · #**6521** Posted **Dec 22, 2011, 4:18 AM**

I know it's entirely anecdotal, but I work with three people who commute in from Fredericton every morning, one guy from Oxford, NS, one from Port Elgin, and a couple from Bouctouche. Those are some long commutes for the east coast!

JHikka · #**6522** Posted **Dec 22, 2011, 4:33 AM**

Saint John has people commute in from Hampton and St. Martins daily. I know of a couple that commute from the Fredericton area, but personally think they're crazy.

RR Drummer · #**6523** Posted **Dec 22, 2011, 5:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Saint John has people commute in from Hampton and St. Martins daily. I know of a couple that commute from the Fredericton area, but personally think they're crazy.

Agreed. I can't stand more than 10 mins drive to work. That's why I refuse to entertain my wife's thought of moving to the "burbs" aka..."the valley'. I enjoy being a 10 min walk to McAllister Place and East side shopping plus 5-10min drive and I'm Uptown or Buses running every 10mins all around me.

BTW...love the St. Hubert Express idea. Can't wait to try it out. Rumour is also spreading of an Olive Garden up the hill beside Carquest??? Anyone heard anything about that?

dhottawa729 · #**6524** Posted **Dec 22, 2011, 1:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Saint John has people commute in from Hampton and St. Martins daily. I know of a couple that commute from the Fredericton area, but personally think they're crazy.

When I lived in NB, I used to think people were crazy for living in Fredericton and working in Saint John, but now that I have left the bubble, I've realized that a huge chunk of the population does a 30-60 minute commute twice a day to and from the suburbs (and beyond). The difference is that it is stop-and-go the entire way and very frantic. Those people that were used to that who now live in NB probably love the 1-hour commute cruising at 120km/h with relatively no traffic.

JHikka · #**6525** Posted **Dec 22, 2011, 8:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhottawa729

When I lived in NB, I used to think people were crazy for living in Fredericton and working in Saint John, but now that I have left the bubble, I've realized that a huge chunk of the population does a 30-60 minute commute twice a day to and from the suburbs (and beyond). The difference is that it is stop-and-go the entire way and very frantic. Those people that were used to that who now live in NB probably love the 1-hour commute cruising at 120km/h with relatively no traffic.

That's very true. When I was in Mississauga in October I drove into Toronto and Brampton a few times, and although it's a good twenty minute drive with moderate traffic it doesn't seem that bad. When the traffic is bad, though, it gets really tedious. Even now, the traffic between Saint John and the valley at peak hours is pretty intensive for the Maritimes, and I wouldn't be able to personally stand it. Grand Bay doesn't seem to be as bad. It (the valley) seems comparable to the traffic along the Bedford Highway in Halifax at rush hour.

Aside from that though, in Mississauga there are other means of travel. You can easily jump on a Go Train and be in Downtown Toronto in 15 minutes. If there were trains between the city and the suburbs here I could see living out there being somewhat feasible, but I guess that destroys part of the suburban dream.

This kind of ties into what I was talking about re: the difference between driving on a highway surrounded by trees and surrounded by things to look at or do on the side of the highway. Generally Highway 1 east from Saint John is busy-ish until the Quispamsis/Nauwigewauk exit. The drive up until then seems short and at least a bit easier because there are things to see rather than just staring off at thousands of identical trees, as the rest of the drive on Highway 1 is (except for parts at Hampton, Sussex and Petitcodiac). The 401 from Oshawa heading west to Toronto is a good hour drive, but it doesn't feel like an hour because you're constantly driving by buildings and businesses, and it seems a lot busier and active. I'm not really sure what i'm on about at this point.

mylesmalley · #**6526** Posted **Dec 22, 2011, 8:12 PM**

Over four years at UNB and coming home to Moncton, I've gradually reached the point where I recognize distinctive trees and cell towers.

JHikka · #**6527** Posted **Dec 22, 2011, 9:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Over four years at UNB and coming home to Moncton, I've gradually reached the point where I recognize distinctive trees and cell towers.

As a resident of Saint John I can tell you i've never once driven the TCH between Fredericton and Moncton. I know plenty of other people here who haven't either. I'm sure you Moncton folk are saved from having to drive Highway 7.

mylesmalley · #**6528** Posted **Dec 23, 2011, 1:49 AM**

I actually don't find Hwy 7 all that bad. Call me crazy...

mmmatt · #**6529** Posted **Dec 24, 2011, 4:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregHickman

i've never once driven the TCH between Fredericton and Moncton.

You aren't missing much haha...its most likely the safest highway in NB...but on the other hand that also means its the most boring!

In other news Merry Christmas to all in beautiful Saint John!

pjleger · #**6530** Posted **Dec 27, 2011, 1:43 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by philster

Update on the Construction at the corner of McAllister & Westmorland:
Sign by the New Bank of Montreal Building saying "Opening January 30th"

They also have the sign up for St Hubert. "St Hubert Express" not sure exactly what that means.

Also, anyone hear about a St Hubert and Starbucks being built in Rothesay?

http://www.st-hubert.com/entreprise/sthubert-concept/st-hubert-express.en.html

That should have some answers to what a St Hubert Express is.

Same great taste...just a different way of serving their customers. It's basically order at the counter, and bring it to your seat yourself.

JHikka · #**6531** Posted **Dec 27, 2011, 5:41 PM**

Photo Update!

All photos by me from today, December 27th, 2011

New building on Second Street. No information on this whatsoever.

Expansion at NBCC. You can see the size of it in comparison to Grandview Avenue

New developments at Westmorland & McAllister
Bank of Montreal

St. Hubert Express

And the new Tims on Bayside Drive

JHikka · #**6532** Posted **Dec 28, 2011, 5:19 PM**

Unconfirmed Rumour of the Day:

Costco in Saint John is interested in the idea of installing gaspumps at their location, similar to what the Costco in Fredericton has done. There are some pretty obvious assumptions as to why the Saint John location did not built pumps when they built the store. If this were to be true i'm assuming that the prices of gas in both Fredericton and Saint John would be somewhat similar to each other.

As a comparison, gas prices today in Fredericton range anywhere from 113.9 to 117.9, whereas prices in Saint John are at 119.2. Moncton is 119.6.

philster · #**6533** Posted **Dec 29, 2011, 11:56 PM**

Thank you for the Photo updates Greg.
I have also heard the same rumors about Costco Gas Bars and someone had told me a few months back they were speaking with Costco Management here in SJ and they were recently (3 months ago) told they had the go-ahead by corporate to have a gas bar. So if anyone is in the store, see if you can strike up a convo with the manager. I guess the store manager has mentioned that it's been a hot topic with them ever since Fredericton opened up with a gas bar.

Whaler · #**6534** Posted **Dec 30, 2011, 6:22 PM**

Anyone know what the new building on City Road is?

JHikka · #**6535** Posted **Dec 30, 2011, 7:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whaler

Anyone know what the new building on City Road is?

The new building on City Road is a new service centre for ambulances. Currently they're operating out of a industrial park on the east side. Interestingly, ambulance drivers used to sit and wait for calls at Hotel Courtney Bay because of it's central locations in the city. So, their service centre is being located centrally on City Road.

Just a shame the Police didn't take the same advice.

philster · #**6536** Posted **Dec 31, 2011, 7:49 PM**

I was driving by City Road today and was wondering what was that building going up, makes perfect sense!

Also Noticed that the new Leons Building is taking good shape on Rothesay Ave and looks like it should be ready soon, I'm going to assume they will be demolishing the current store upon completion to make a larger and better parking lot?

flwright · #**6537** Posted **Jan 1, 2012, 5:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by philster

I was driving by City Road today and was wondering what was that building going up, makes perfect sense!

Also Noticed that the new Leons Building is taking good shape on Rothesay Ave and looks like it should be ready soon, I'm going to assume they will be demolishing the current store upon completion to make a larger and better parking lot?

The Leon's building is actually being built in 2 stages -- once the current new construction is complete, they will move in to continue operations, tear down the old building, and construct the remaining half of the building on the site of the old building. They are literally doubling the size of the store.

philster · #**6538** Posted **Jan 1, 2012, 1:51 PM**

Good to know, that sure is gonna be one massive well needed building, is it their plan to pretty much combine their warehouse, current store, and also their clearance center further downt he road, into one facility?

Justin6463 · #**6539** Posted **Jan 2, 2012, 9:21 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregHickman

The new building on City Road is a new service centre for ambulances. Currently they're operating out of a industrial park on the east side. Interestingly, ambulance drivers used to sit and wait for calls at Hotel Courtney Bay because of it's central locations in the city. So, their service centre is being located centrally on City Road.

Just a shame the Police didn't take the same advice.

Just FYI, we really dislike being called that.

Comparable to calling the fire truck drivers to come over and watch your house burn down or the police car drivers to stop by when youre being robbed.

JHikka · #**6540** Posted **Jan 2, 2012, 1:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin6463

Just FYI, we really dislike being called that.

Comparable to calling the fire truck drivers to come over and watch your house burn down or the police car drivers to stop by when youre being robbed.

What would you prefer to be called? Paramedics?