Ontari-ari-ario

[c9]

So we're flying to Toronto this evening, then driving to Kitchener-Waterloo. In Kitchener Vinny will be learning about a job, we will both be taking a city tour from a tour guide, and then another tour from a real estate agent. Then driving to my parents' place (2 hours away) and staying the night, then driving back and driving around Kitchener ourselves for a couple hours, then back to Toronto to fly home. ...and then we have to decide within a week.

Hmmm.

Pros:
- job stability for Vinny
- opportunity to buy a house/condo outside the Halifax peninsula's weird price structure
- opportunity to shake up my job by transferring and hopefully getting into other projects outside of teaching
- be closer to my parents
- get to be in a riding where our votes are more important :)

Cons:
- leaving all our friends
- the normal stress of moving to a completely unfamiliar city, etc
- be further from Vinny's parents
- become less involved with Wayves Magazine (I think Vinny would put this in the Pro column)

To be honest, we've essentially decided to go for it if it's the only offer on the table; this is just for kicks, not as a decision-making mechanism.

It's exciting and scary and who knows what will happen. Good night, dear diary.

Comments

[scott8424.livejournal.com]

And who can deny the allure of living in a town with a hyphenated name?

Good luck with the trip. =)

[leapfish.livejournal.com]

They are still administratively seperate cities; however, stuck to each other, and their transit systems are blended, and most people actually live in Cambridge and commute (5 minutes) into Kitchener. It's basically what I would consider the furthest suburb of Toronto.

[leapfish.livejournal.com]

I'd say that 3 of your 4 cons are pros for me. I'll let you guess which ones. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[scott8424.livejournal.com]

So how far is it from Toronto? If you consider it a far suburb it might not be all bad really. (And I know best sitting here in Memphis.)

[leapfish.livejournal.com]

About an hour by car, which we aren't looking to purchase. Our offices and the train station are all in downtown Kitchener, so we could take the train to Union Station on the weekends. Since our lives will be centered on downtown Kitchener, we're also thinking of purchasing something there too.

It's far enough away to not be able to do social weeknight activities, but close enough for everybody to say, "We don't have because they have it in Toronto."

[c9.livejournal.com]

KW is about 100 kilometres from Toronto. Under an hour with no traffic, but up to 90 minutes in rush hour. Not too bad, easy enough to do day trips for sure.

[c9.livejournal.com]

I sincerely doubt there will be any surprise. :)

[scott8424.livejournal.com]

Well as long as there's a Wal-Mart near by you should be all set. =)

[leapfish.livejournal.com]

I'd rather eat my own testicles than shop at Wal-Mart. In fact, I intend to do all of my shopping, other than groceries, in Toronto. Did someone say snob?

[leapfish.livejournal.com]

Oh you! You don't know me... =)

[scott8424.livejournal.com]

Kilometres...you Canadians and your wacky metric system.

[scott8424.livejournal.com]

But by shopping at Wal-Mart you can spend more quality time with your family. The commercials say so!

I prefer "appreciates nice things" to snob.

KW

[lifeofprad.livejournal.com]

Wow, KW! I lived there for the past 5 years (while I was at U.W) before moving back to Toronto. What kind of work does Vinny do? Housing wise, a lot people do live in Cambridge and commute up probably because the houses are nicer (i wouldn't know, I've never ventured into Cambridge). There are a lot of builders up in the north west end of Waterloo developing the area, putting up mostly semi's and townhouses. It's something you guys can check out if you're looking for a new house and have time (Erbsville Rd. around Columbia St.)
Have fun.

[leapfish.livejournal.com]

My car gets 43 thimbles of gas to the hogshead, and that's just the way I like it.

Re: KW

[c9.livejournal.com]

Cool! Vinny's in insurance, and would be working downtown, as would I. So we're looking (or I should say, we *would* be looking) in the downtown Kitchener area. We don't own a car, and aren't really that interested in getting one yet, so the burbs aren't really that appealing. Maybe someday we'll graduate to that. :) From surfing MLS there seem to be lots of decent (but not great) properties off to the east of downtown. Haven't looked into condo-type dwellings yet.

KW!!

[deah.livejournal.com]

So what is the likelyhood of moving there?

You forgot a con silly! Closer to the lesbians!

I'd offer you a room in Ottawa to find a job but it seems your best friend has already moved in :D

When looking at KW - just remmeber Waterloo is the 'nicer' of the 2 'cities'. K has some rough looking sections.

Hope to see you guys up here soon!!

Re: KW!!

[c9.livejournal.com]

Who moved in?

But remember we're gay, we're supposed to buy in slightly rougher neighbourhoods to bring up the property values and drive out the po' folk!

Re: KW!!

[(Anonymous)]

I don't suppose you want to move to Pioneer Square in Seattle? I like the loft apartments it boasts, but it could use a little more gentrification.

"Cam and Vinny: Gentrifying the 'hood since 2004."

Actually, you guys already did a good job in Halifax. I like to think that your presence alone turned that greasy spoon into Jane's

S.