Economy Thread

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by Wharn

Funny, for me London seems pretty cheap. Compared to Toronto, everything is cheaper: Rental accommodations, owner-occupied housing, insurance premiums, parking, groceries, hell even clothes are sometimes cheaper here. I notice that auto dealers here also tend to give more discounts on new vehicles. I guess London seems kinda expensive compared to Chatham or Windsor, but it certainly isn't outrageously expensive a la Toronto, and it isn't exactly unlivable.

London is definitely cheaper than Toronto in many ways, although I do find cheaper food easier to find in Toronto than in London. With rent, there's no comparison.

It does tend to be easier to find cheaper used cars in larger cities. I recently bought a used car, and I paid what I paid, but I could've gotten a car even cheaper had I gone to Ottawa or Toronto. The down side, they usually have more kilometres, which I guess is expected when a city is larger and the daily commute is more than 15 minutes.

[Wharn]

Originally Posted by manny_santos

London is definitely cheaper than Toronto in many ways, although I do find cheaper food easier to find in Toronto than in London. With rent, there's no comparison.

It does tend to be easier to find cheaper used cars in larger cities. I recently bought a used car, and I paid what I paid, but I could've gotten a car even cheaper had I gone to Ottawa or Toronto. The down side, they usually have more kilometres, which I guess is expected when a city is larger and the daily commute is more than 15 minutes.

And trust me, you don't want a lot of city miles on a car. People don't realize that each kilometer driven in the city involves far more wear and tear on the car, especially for the suspension (Toronto's shitty roads have prematurely killed mine) and transmission (automatic or manual; in the former it starts to slip, in the latter the clutch goes. Both result in a $2400 repair). I find a lot of the undesirable cars in Toronto (1998 Ford Taurus anyone?) are much cheaper, but the ones with desirable qualities (low miles, clean, Japanese) are far more expensive than somewhere like London.

[Highinthesky]

New article in the Free Press today saying that fears over GM moving production from the Ingersoll Cami plant to the U.S. are fading as GM has agreed to move up contract negotiations at the plant.

Good news if it's true.

[MolsonExport]

^thankful news indeed.

[manny_santos]

It seems like this has slipped under the radar for some Londoners, but as of last month London's unemployment rate is now the 6th highest in Canada among major cities, down from 2nd highest a year ago. In Ontario alone London is now ahead of not only Windsor, but Peterborough and Oshawa.

I don't know why some Londoners keep repeating that the city has the 2nd highest unemployment. I guess that if you repeat something enough times, it must be true.

[MolsonExport]

Drove past the future Dr. Oetker plant. Thing is coming along nicely.

[north 42]

Originally Posted by manny_santos

It seems like this has slipped under the radar for some Londoners, but as of last month London's unemployment rate is now the 6th highest in Canada among major cities, down from 2nd highest a year ago. In Ontario alone London is now ahead of not only Windsor, but Peterborough and Oshawa.

I don't know why some Londoners keep repeating that the city has the 2nd highest unemployment. I guess that if you repeat something enough times, it must be true.

True, Windsor is 3rd, behind Saint John and Peterborough now, so London is not 2nd.

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

Drove past the future Dr. Oetker plant. Thing is coming along nicely.

I like their pizzas. I look forward to when they're made in Canada; maybe the price will come down a little. (Yeah, that's pizza pie in the sky.)

[Wharn]

Originally Posted by manny_santos

It seems like this has slipped under the radar for some Londoners, but as of last month London's unemployment rate is now the 6th highest in Canada among major cities, down from 2nd highest a year ago. In Ontario alone London is now ahead of not only Windsor, but Peterborough and Oshawa.

I don't know why some Londoners keep repeating that the city has the 2nd highest unemployment. I guess that if you repeat something enough times, it must be true.

That's partially because Peterborough and Oshawa have gotten worse. But four years on and I am still amazed at how Londoners are so prepared to bash their city. Compare and contrast to a lot of Montrealers (sorry Molson), who seem perfectly content to ignore problems as long as possible or simply redefine them as "character". We're different though, we ignore real problems and invent imaginary ones instead.

[MolsonExport]

^there is much to compensate for the very real problems facing Montreal; there is good and bad on so many levels (I would be the last to argue that Mtl was some wonderful lala land...when I lived there, I complained constantly about the crumbing infrastructure, politics, shaky economy, politics, mafia influence, politics, and did I mention politics?). On the other hand, old montreal, the canal, the mountain, blvd st. laurent, blvd. st. denis, rue ste. catherine, the underground city, the metro, old port, depanneurs, restaurants and food (!!!), the architecture, the pubs, the extremely hot babes.....

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by Wharn

That's partially because Peterborough and Oshawa have gotten worse. But four years on and I am still amazed at how Londoners are so prepared to bash their city. Compare and contrast to a lot of Montrealers (sorry Molson), who seem perfectly content to ignore problems as long as possible or simply redefine them as "character". We're different though, we ignore real problems and invent imaginary ones instead.

My solution to London's problems was to leave. A lot of people complain but do nothing about it. Sometimes they have no choice, of course.

[MolsonExport]

Diamond Aircraft is laying off all but 40 employees (to finish up existing orders). When will the hemmorage end? Reverse order of that funny John Hughes movie, except it is not funny (automobiles, trains, now planes).

http://www.lfpress.com/2013/02/26/d-jet-200-workers-idled-as-diamond-restructures

meanwhile Say it ain't so Joe Fraudtana continues his shennanigans...

[ssiguy]

How many people will be employed at Dr.Oetker?

Actually, although London's unemployment is still relatively high I think much of that is due to St.Thomas being in the metropolitan area. I'm not saying London doesn't have problems but St.Thomas has been decimated by so many closings that even it's small population really warps the numbers.

[MolsonExport]

Unemployment jumps in London-St. Thomas region again. 9.1% unemployment now in London (vs. 7% nationally); up from 8.5%.

http://www.lfpress.com/2013/03/08/londons-unemployment-rate-soars

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

Unemployment jumps in London-St. Thomas region again. 9.1% unemployment now in London (vs. 7% nationally); up from 8.5%.

http://www.lfpress.com/2013/03/08/londons-unemployment-rate-soars

Obsessing over a councilor's use of the N-word sure isn't helping.

[Stevo26]

Originally Posted by manny_santos

Obsessing over a councilor's use of the N-word sure isn't helping.

It must have been such a slow news day for the Free Press to make the staff there think that White's use of the 'N' word merited space at the top of the front page.

After all, she apologized for her remark, what more can one say about the matter without beating it to death? Some people, staff at the Freeps included, need to move on and get a life. There are far more pressing (and serious) issues facing the city that deserve more attention than they're getting.

[K85]

She should be removed from her position if you ask me... she serves the public, and as an official, should be held to a higher regard than most...

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by K85

She should be removed from her position if you ask me... she serves the public, and as an official, should be held to a higher regard than most...

I think the whole thing was taken way out of context. She was using the word to demonstrate a point about discrimination against and objectification of women. Sadly, the reaction to her speech proves her point. She had to do something to get peoples' attention. She actually had a great point worth listening to, if people with tunnel-vision can look past the use of a word that her own black daughter suggested she use to demonstrate this point. I am no advocate of using the word, but this was one of those rare cases where its use can be justified for the greater good. She was attacking no one. What next, teachers can't use that word in history classes when talking about the dark ages of slavery?

I may be in the minority, but I support White 100% and see no need for her to apologize. Anyways, it's over and done with, time for City Council to move onto real issues. This is just another backyard chicken debate that's holding London back.

[mjpaul]

I am considering a move to Woodstock and notice the housing prices are quite reasonable. I also notice that these homes seem to be on the market for months. (3 months or more) I am speaking of nice properties in the $225K to 300K range as that is my price range. I find it strange that there doesn't appear to be demand.

Is there anyone on this forum from Woodstock to share any insight on the housing market, local economy?.

I was in Woodstock a year and half ago and it really appealed to me..I am surprised people approaching their retirement years in GTA are not swarming into Woodstock..What a beautiful community! I loved the old architecture

[MolsonExport]

Some people around these parts have likened Woodstock to a "hole". I haven't much direct experience...it is a wide spot in the road on the way to the centre of the universe (not the one in exeter). DT St. Thomas has some nice buildings, but is obviously struggling.