[major bedhead]

Depending on DH's job prospects, we might be moving. Nothing's set in stone, but Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Hamilton, ON seem to be at the top of his list (so far....things could change).

Could any of you mamas who live in any of these cities give me your opinion? From your AP/natural perspective,

-- what are the best neighbourhoods for a couple with two young kids?(factoring in cost, walkability, proximity of good schools, green space, grocery stores and other amenities)
-- what are the worst?

--What thing do you like best about where you live?

I've only been to Vancouver, of the cities I've mentioned above, but it's been a few years and I was there before kids. I've never been to Calgary or Edmonton so any help you can give is appreciated!

 

[beachcomber]

Calgary: Ogden or Bridgeland are both good communities. Ogden is funky and (hopefully) not too expensive yet. Bridgeland is right on the LRT and only 1 or 2 stops away from the Calgary Zoo. It's the Italian neighborhood as well, so loads of very high quality grocers and bakers. The LRT runs through the core of the city and into the NE, NW and South. It's easy to get around to anywhere you want to go.

Another good community is Sunnyside in the NW. Close to downtown (walking distance) and Prince's Island. Lots of good shopping, eating and so on. Down side is price. Because it's so close to downtown, real estate prices are fairly high.

Vancouver: if you're looking for relatively affordable Commercial Drive is the way to go. It's very family oriented. Another Italian neighborhood. A great school, community centre, pool and library are built into one complex in Grandview Park. It's on the #55 trolley bus route and fairly close to the SkyTrain. I lived there back in 95-97 and just loved it.

 

[my2girlsmama]

I'm in Hamilton Ontario:

Quote:

what are the best neighbourhoods for a couple with two young kids?(factoring in cost, walkability, proximity of good schools, green space, grocery stores and other amenities)

I live up on Hamilton's east mountain, where I grew up, and I also lived for a spell down in east end (lower city) and would NEVER return there....too much crime, dirty, scary etc..........
I live on a great part of the mountain, affordable, lots of trees and greenery, good schools and parks everywhere. The west mountain is growing so is more $$, the further South you go (My parents live in large home near airport off Highway 6) it gets more busy due to growth etc, so more schools have been built, more stores etc............
I'd say east or central mountain is best bet, though Stoney Creek upper mountain is also growing and affordable in some places as is lower stoney creek..............

Quote:

what are the worst?

Like I said ANYTHING lower east Hamilton is horribly icky. I suffered alot living there....now more westward is nice.........costly in places but nicer...but as you go east watch out........very cheap but you pay for that in a big way. No place to raise your children safely in my opinon having lived there.

Quote:

What thing do you like best about where you live?

I love my neighbourhood for the greenery, the closeness of the schools, the parks and walking areas, the malls, the stores and just the overall area. I won't soon leave this............ever.

Good luck! You can PM me for more info if you need it.

 

[MrsMoe]

I live in Hamilton... and I will be frank with you, I wouldn't move here. We plan on getting out as soon as I graduate from college - go North of Toronto (North York area - TO is where all the high paying jobs are.)

If you do decide to move to Hamilton area, maybe a suburb or nearby city would be better - like Grimsby or Burlington are very VERY nice and a 15 minute drive to Hamilton.

If you must be in the city... Hamilton West/Mountain or Stoney Creek area is nice. Some parts of East Hamilton can actually be very nice depending on the area, as it is next door to Stoney Creek - but be careful with East, parts are very scary and have lots of seriously nasty gang related crime.

Central Hamilton is cheap and sorta dirty because it's parked next to the Steel Mills... but many parts aren't too too bad if you like to be in the city center, but it's no ritz. The closer to the mountain's escarpment, the nicer it is, in fact, Central Hamilton under the escarpment is quite nice and all the old Victorians are fully restored and beautiful.

Hamilton Mountain or Stoney Creek would be my choice, it's quite nice in those areas but in the end, it's still Hamilton, a blue collar steel mill city.

 

[major bedhead]

Thanks for the replies. We're in downtown Toronto now, so we're used to gritty urban living.

For those in Hamilton: how's west Hamilton, close to Mac? The draw to Hamilton for us is that DH's job would be located there but I could still commute into T.O. on a partt-ime basis. Sounds like it's more practical (and preferrable) to relocate to Oakville or Burlington. It's too bad that Hamilton's cheaper.

Beachcomber: oddly enough, I've never set foot on Commercial Drive. I was looking online and it sounds like a really interesting, diverse neighbourhood. I wouldn't have considered East Van but yours isn't the only recommendation I've had recently so we'll look into it.

 

[Piglet68]

re: vancouver - depending on how big a home you want and what you can afford, Kitsilano is a family-freindly, walkable, green neighbourhood with a lovely waterfront. I'm in the West End which is a nature-lovers dream. stanley park, english bay, coal harbour all w/in walking distance. all the shopping you could want from organic groceries to haute couture.

 

[bugnbean]

I'm a Hamilton mommy. I love this city. I'm on the escarpment. Central/west area of it.

Could any of you mamas who live in any of these cities give me your opinion? From your AP/natural perspective,

-- what are the best neighbourhoods for a couple with two young kids?(factoring in cost, walkability, proximity of good schools, green space, grocery stores and other amenities)

I really love the area I am in. Central mountain. Most properties in my neighbourhood are well established with huge trees and lovely gardens. The neighbours are wonderful and we are close to Concession street which is a really cool little culturally diverse shopping area.

-- what are the worst?
North end simply because of the industries. And some east end neighbourhoods.

--What thing do you like best about where you live?
The diversity of the neighbourhood and local businesses. And the close proximity of Tim Horton's (hehe J/K but in Hamilton you needn't travel far for good coffee

)

I have lived in the west end as well. Quite close to Mac (which is where I attended university). Beautiful for the most part but tends to be pricey.

 

[MrsMoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by major bedhead Thanks for the replies. We're in downtown Toronto now, so we're used to gritty urban living. For those in Hamilton: how's west Hamilton, close to Mac? The draw to Hamilton for us is that DH's job would be located there but I could still commute into T.O. on a partt-ime basis. Sounds like it's more practical (and preferrable) to relocate to Oakville or Burlington. It's too bad that Hamilton's cheaper. Beachcomber: oddly enough, I've never set foot on Commercial Drive. I was looking online and it sounds like a really interesting, diverse neighbourhood. I wouldn't have considered East Van but yours isn't the only recommendation I've had recently so we'll look into it.

West Hamilton is very nice, one of the nicest areas of Hamilton in fact and still economical compatred to Toronto. Hamilton is also far less expensive than Toronto, and has lots of cool things culturally for the family. Burlington is even nicer and is a bit more expensive, Oakville is also very nice but rather pricey. I am very partial to Burlington, I like the way the city is laid out and the shopping etc.
http://www.city.hamilton.on.ca/

 

[Nik's Mommy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by major bedhead -- what are the best neighbourhoods for a couple with two young kids?(factoring in cost, walkability, proximity of good schools, green space, grocery stores and other amenities) -- what are the worst? --What thing do you like best about where you live?

Hi there. We're in the Edmonton area. We live in Sherwood Park, which is a suburb of Edmonton. Sherwood Park has the lowest taxes in the Edmonton Area, and houses are reasonable, when comparing to the other areas of the country you listed. We live in an "older area" (1970's houses) which we love for the fact that all the trees are mature and make this neighbourhood a beautiful one. Lots of great schools. TONS of parks and walking/biking trails all through the town. We walk alot. Why drive when everything from grocery stores to rec centres are all within a short 30 minute walk.

Like the best? This is a wonderful community to raise children in. I have found many people with similar interests (environmental, AP child rearing). You will see women (and men) carrying their babies in slings at the mall, at the grovery store.... everywhere. I've breastfed just about anywhere in town....... and no one bats an eye. Many things are family oriented. All the town events are planned with the family in mind. Our rec centres have many activities for kids and for babies and parents. (I especially loved the excercise classes that include our babies.)
Here is a link to the website the County runs. Maybe you'll find something of interest there. Strathcona County

 

[my2girlsmama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsMoe it's still Hamilton, a blue collar steel mill city.

Well it's what you make it and such a discriminating attitude leaves me wondering how high on yourself you really are? Snotty thing to say in my opinion. Much of my relatives work blue collar and are quite well off......

Most snobs leave this city too soon to learn much.

 

[Music-mommy]

We're in Vancouver. Of the cities you've listed, maybe the most expensive for housing, except maybe Hamilton, I don't know. I know AB is much cheaper, though it's getting more pricey now.

As far as community for raising children though I have to say Vancouver is awesome. WE have a great tribe here, and lots of homeschoolers too. If you are interested in homeschooling, I"m not sure what the laws are in other provinces but in BC, you can basically do your own thing.

I've lived in Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, Vancouver, Victoria, Comox, and in the States, though not with children, but of all the cities in Canada, my choices for raising children were Vancouver, or Ottawa.

I like Vancouver because there are tons of health food stores, so much stuff to do with kids and without, you can go toboganning one day, and to the beach the next. I've lived long enough in the east to know I don't like snow and shovelling it, I love to go see it on the mountain, play, and come back home where there isn't any.

We live on the NOrth Shore of Vancouver and I like it a lot.