Moving to Hamilton?

[IronWarrior]

Originally Posted by omro

See I have all this to learn, where to shop, where not to shop, how much things cost, what's a good price, etc. It's gonna be fun, and hopefully not too expensive a "trial and error" process. lol

First thing I'll need to do is find somewhere that sells decent tea, none of that Orange Pekoe rubbish!

Check out Locke Street for some decent tea...I'am sure you will find some there! plus as someone else on here stated its also a very gay friendly area as well, I have lived in the Locke area for almost all of my 31 years..I would'nt live anywhere else! I like it that much, I can't believe how it has boomed over the last few years!

[raisethehammer]

Also, good tea can be found in Westdale and at the House of Java on James South.

[omro]

Great, now I know I can move to the city after all

No tea, no move!

[sofasurfer]

Hi there!

I stumbled across this site earlier in the week, and think I've found the right place

In just over a couple of months' time, I'll be making the one-way trip from London, England to the Hammer. My wife's a Hamiltonian, and we've visited at least half a dozen times in the last 4-5 years, so I sort of know my way around (but suspect I'll know when I'm local once I have the mountain access roads down - they still confuse me!)

There's a British Expats forum that really seemed to rip the hell out of Hamilton - but instead of going on there and getting all wound up, I reckon it's more productive to join you good folk here, if you'll have me

The gym info on this thread has been really useful - and I have another question that I hope you folk can help out with...

We're going to need a decent internet connection when we arrive. I know the place we're moving in to is in a Cogeco area for cable TV, but do we *have* to go with them for broadband?

Here in the UK, you can get a DSL package but you have to have a regular phone line - I'm sure our place-to-be has a Bell phone already in, so I think we're OK there. But are there any particularly good or bad broadband providers to be aware of?

We've got a 4Mb down/256k up connection at home right now, and I think we'd be looking at having at least the same in the new place.

Any advice/suggestions?

Thanks
Sofasurfer

[highwater]

I'm no techie, but we weren't happy with sympatico (Bell's service) and switched to cogeco about a year ago and haven't looked back, so don't rule out cogeco.

[Millstone]

I use Acanac for my DSL (www.acanac.ca)... it's like $20/month for 5-6Mbit if you prepay for a year. I live downtown in a building with new wiring that is close to a Bell CO (what downtown location isn't) and my line stats are 100% so I get very good speed.

Or you can try your luck with unsecured wireless connections, or Cogeco cable.

[MsMe]

I tried cable when it first came out and it sucked big time so I went back to dial up with Bell, since dsl wasn't around yet at that time. Then eventually changed to dsl with Bell and wasn't bad at first. Then I upgraded to a higher speed dsl with Bell and I am ready to tell Bell to shove it. I lose connection at least 50 times a day everyday plus I need to turn my phone on while I access any site or do any downloads, which ties up the phone line and my cordless phone dies out a lot from low battery. Needless to say doing downloads can be challenging to say the least. Needless to say I have a lot of choice words about Bell now.

[BrianE]

I've had Cogeco Cable for over 2 years. It's been very reliable and is as fast as they advertise. 6 Megabits d/l has worked well streaming video and playing Halo 2 and other online games is lag free, almost all of the time. Same price as Bell DSL, a little lower if you get Digital TV, even lower if you throw in Digital home phone as well.

You will not feel ripped off if you go with cogeco. Even though you're sorta forced to buy from them...

[IronWarrior]

Cogeco here also! I've been with them for the last 5 years and have'nt had any problems, except in very bad weather once and awhile, but I'am always up and running in a couple of hours again..no complaints

[matt602]

Originally Posted by Millstone

I use Acanac for my DSL (www.acanac.ca)... it's like $20/month for 5-6Mbit if you prepay for a year. I live downtown in a building with new wiring that is close to a Bell CO (what downtown location isn't) and my line stats are 100% so I get very good speed.

Lucky bastard. I'm with Teksavvy in the East End in a house with crappy wiring (that I have improved slightly but it still sucks) and I'm incredibly far from a CO. I'm stuck on a 3mb profile

Anyway yah, I would recommend DSL over cable so long as you're moving into somewhere newish and it's central or downtown. DSL is cheap as hell compared to cable too. I get my 5mbit for $30/month. Didn't have to sign up for any amount of time, no contract.

[omro]

Originally Posted by sofasurfer

Hi there!

I stumbled across this site earlier in the week, and think I've found the right place

In just over a couple of months' time, I'll be making the one-way trip from London, England to the Hammer. My wife's a Hamiltonian, and we've visited at least half a dozen times in the last 4-5 years, so I sort of know my way around (but suspect I'll know when I'm local once I have the mountain access roads down - they still confuse me!)

There's a British Expats forum that really seemed to rip the hell out of Hamilton - but instead of going on there and getting all wound up, I reckon it's more productive to join you good folk here, if you'll have me

Hey there,

Another Londoner moving to Hamilton! Do I sense a trend?

What's this other forum you mention? I've not come across any others. This forum seems very helpful and friendly.

Wish I were moving across as soon as you appear to be, am all jealous now.

Which part of London are you leaving and which part of Hamilton have you chosen to settle in?

[IronWarrior]

Originally Posted by omro

Hey there,

Another Londoner moving to Hamilton! Do I sense a trend?

What's this other forum you mention? I've not come across any others. This forum seems very helpful and friendly.

Wish I were moving across as soon as you appear to be, am all jealous now.

Which part of London are you leaving and which part of Hamilton have you chosen to settle in?

I guess it is becoming a trend now! but once you get here you will see there are many Londoners here! I'am sure you will find some hanging out at the pubs on Augusta Street

[omro]

Originally Posted by IronWarrior

I guess it is becoming a trend now! but once you get here you will see there are many Londoners here! I'am sure you will find some hanging out at the pubs on Augusta Street

Always good to follow a trend, if not set it :-)

[sofasurfer]

Originally Posted by IronWarrior

I guess it is becoming a trend now! but once you get here you will see there are many Londoners here! I'am sure you will find some hanging out at the pubs on Augusta Street

Hey Omro, we're trend-setters!

IronWarrior - a couple of my in-laws took me to the Winking Judge (that's on Augusta, right?). Now that was what I call a pub

I guess it might be nice to be able to talk about some London/Brit stuff with people from time to time, but I'm trying to look forwards - so much new stuff to look forward to! Not really bothered about soccer or cricket, or sport in general to be honest - but I think we're going to arrive in time for the Ti-Cats/Argos game, which should be interesting for a new arrival...

[sofasurfer]

Originally Posted by omro

Hey there,

Another Londoner moving to Hamilton! Do I sense a trend?

What's this other forum you mention? I've not come across any others. This forum seems very helpful and friendly.

Wish I were moving across as soon as you appear to be, am all jealous now.

Which part of London are you leaving and which part of Hamilton have you chosen to settle in?

Hi Omro!

The other forum was some brit expat thing - I've got it bookmarked at work, but not here, but can try to find the link next week if you like.

The folks here do indeed seem great - thanks for the suggestions re. broadband, everyone - we're gonna be right out towards Stoney Creek (between Red Hill and Eastgate) so I suspect quite a distance from an exchange for decent DSL speeds. I'm getting the impression that Cogeco seem on a par with Virgin Media here in the UK (who are our local cable provider here).

Right now, I live in Kingston-upon-Thames (yes, there's a Kingston just down the river from London.. that's going to be fun trying to explain to people once we're moved!).
It's really strange to think we'll have moved in less than two months' time - time seems to be flying right now!

Omro, I gather you're eastside - I used to DJ/VJ at The Rhythm Factory on Whitechapel Road if you know it (and have fond memories of eating at New Tayyabs after we'd set up at the venue on a Saturday afternoon!).
When are you planning to move across?

[IronWarrior]

Originally Posted by sofasurfer

Hey Omro, we're trend-setters!

IronWarrior - a couple of my in-laws took me to the Winking Judge (that's on Augusta, right?). Now that was what I call a pub

I guess it might be nice to be able to talk about some London/Brit stuff with people from time to time, but I'm trying to look forwards - so much new stuff to look forward to! Not really bothered about soccer or cricket, or sport in general to be honest - but I think we're going to arrive in time for the Ti-Cats/Argos game, which should be interesting for a new arrival...

Yes! the Winking Judge is on Augusta Street, actually there was a article in the Hamilton Spectator about a few months about it being haunted, Its a old Victorian home that was renovated and converted into a pub..I sometimes go there for a pint or two before heading to a club, story has it some of the regulars see a ghost or two once and awhile...maybe its the drink! who knows....?lol! quite interesting...alot of good micro brews on tap, mostly from Ontario...

[sofasurfer]

Originally Posted by IronWarrior

.
alot of good micro brews on tap, mostly from Ontario...

This is one of the things I'm looking forward to exploring in more detail in the not-too-distant future

I've been taking great delight in watching friends' faces when I mention microbrews, the fact we'll be about 15 minutes' drive from vineyards, and that the summer climate is more like the Mediterranean (with produce to match - we don't have peaches and vines in England!)... I think some of them really did think we were moving to a log cabin with polar bears for neighbours

@Omro - I don't know about you, but I find if I try and explain Hamilton to Londoners as "an urban cross between Sheffield and Croydon - but with a summer climate of, say, Tuscany..." it seems to be a good starting point

[Millstone]

Originally Posted by sofasurfer

Hi Omro!

Right now, I live in Kingston-upon-Thames (yes, there's a Kingston just down the river from London.. that's going to be fun trying to explain to people once we're moved!).

It shouldn't come as any surprise, many Ontario cities' names are stolen from the UK.

[omro]

Originally Posted by sofasurfer

I guess it might be nice to be able to talk about some London/Brit stuff with people from time to time, but I'm trying to look forwards - so much new stuff to look forward to! Not really bothered about soccer or cricket, or sport in general to be honest - but I think we're going to arrive in time for the Ti-Cats/Argos game, which should be interesting for a new arrival...

Funnily enough I totally agree. I'm moving to Canada to experience Canada and Canadians and their way of life. I'm not planning to move there and set up a little patch of England. OK, it will be nice to have the odd reminder of home, either a british accent here and there or a little reminiscing, but ultimately I'm moving to Canada to get away from "Brit stuff" and experience something entirely new.

[omro]

Originally Posted by sofasurfer

Hi Omro!

The other forum was some brit expat thing - I've got it bookmarked at work, but not here, but can try to find the link next week if you like.

Please, I'd be interested to read the anti-Hamilton comments.

Originally Posted by sofasurfer

The folks here do indeed seem great - thanks for the suggestions re. broadband, everyone - we're gonna be right out towards Stoney Creek (between Red Hill and Eastgate) so I suspect quite a distance from an exchange for decent DSL speeds. I'm getting the impression that Cogeco seem on a par with Virgin Media here in the UK (who are our local cable provider here).

I wonder if they offer the great TV on demand benefits of Virgin Media though. I love TV on demand, it's gonna be big.

Originally Posted by sofasurfer

Right now, I live in Kingston-upon-Thames (yes, there's a Kingston just down the river from London.. that's going to be fun trying to explain to people once we're moved!).
It's really strange to think we'll have moved in less than two months' time - time seems to be flying right now!

Am totally jealous, I have to wait for property to sell, visas to come through, can't go anywhere until after December. For me time is dragging!

Originally Posted by sofasurfer

Omro, I gather you're eastside - I used to DJ/VJ at The Rhythm Factory on Whitechapel Road if you know it (and have fond memories of eating at New Tayyabs after we'd set up at the venue on a Saturday afternoon!).
When are you planning to move across?

I've heard of it, never been there. I'm based in Walthamstow or "Wollfamstow" if you're a local with a horrendous East London accent. I'm actually from Colchester originally.

The planned move agenda is this: Mortgage period expires December (4k penalty if I end it sooner). I put the flat on the market in December and wait for it to sell. Annoyingly that's a bad time of year to sell, so if the market is really bad, I might not sell for ages or have to wait until spring. Once the flat sells, I give my month's notice and I'm on that plane. So I could be in Hamilton as early as Jan'09 if all goes well. If not, I'll just have to wait it out. I plan to do a course start in Sept so I have to be there for then.