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People who live in, or have been to Niagara Falls...

What's it like?

Okay, so that's about as vague as it gets, so i'll elaborate. My girlfriend and her family are about to sell up and move to Niagara Falls. The plan to do this has been in the works long before I even met her, but it wasn't supposed to happen for another 2 years. Long story short, they've changed their minds, and its happening within 2 months instead. Nice one. My relationship with my girlfriend is a serious one. Before all this happened we intended to be married within a year from now. I love her very much, but am within 2 minds whether or not I should go with her.

Now this is obviously a life changing decision that I can't just make overnight, so was hoping to get a little bit of information on the place where I might be carrying out the rest of my days. I have searched quite extensively on the internet, but can't seem to find anything useful beyond your typical 'tourist' type information. I am not looking for a holiday afterall, I might be living here. So I was hoping to get some opinions of people who have been there, or even better, live there. I'll start with a few specifics but feel free to mention anything that might be worthwhile of my attention.

• The population - Is it a busy city? I have grown up in major cities in the UK like London, Manchester, Newcastle, etc. I'm used to an active non-stop lifestyle. What can I expect from Niagara Falls? Is it heavily populated, or quite tame? Are there things to do or will I be bored?
  
  
• The night life - I don't necessarily mean the super clubs. To be honest i'm not into that sort of thing anymore anyway. What I mean are your average clubs and bars where you can just go out and get drunk and listen to shit music. Just nights out with your friends basically. Obviously location will play a part, but in general what can I expect to find?
  
  
• Accessability - I'm not exactly sure where abouts they are moving to within Niagara Falls, but are the bigger cities like Toronto or even New York within a reasonable distance and easily accessable? How far distance and timewise?
  
  
• Employment - How easy would it be to get a job out there? I do have qualifications, but to just get my feet on the ground and make sure I like living there, I would want to get stuck in with a simple office job, or an easy data processing job. Would I be hard done by to find that sort of thing?
  
  
• The schools - Are the schools of a decent or acceptable level? Would you be okay with raising your children here?
  
  
• Weather - What's it like? How cold does it get in the winter? What are the summers like? I am used to my fair share of shit weather being from England and all, but I know Canada can get fucking cold! This is of some concern.
  
  
• Sports / Football - In my spare time I play and compete in a lot of sports like football (soccer to you guys I guess?), athletics, swimming, badmington, etc. It's a big part of my life. Especially playing football. I play for 4 amateur football teams (3 seven aside and 1 eleven aside). Are there lots of amateur leagues i'd have the choice of joining, or is this sort of thing not taken as seriously as it is in the UK?
  

one thing comes to mind when i think of niagara falls.
it sucks.

Can you not be more specific?

Only good thing about Niagara...Casinos.

quote:

Originally posted by chinamon one thing comes to mind when i think of niagara falls. it sucks.

tacky too.

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Originally posted by DJ Mikey Mike Can you not be more specific?

there is not a single thing that i like about niagara falls.
nothing!
thats about as specific as i can get.
i dont like visiting there and certainly would never consider living there.

This doesn't look promising. Have you had bad experiences whilst there or something? Or is it just really boring to you?

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Mikey Mike This doesn't look promising. Have you had bad experiences whilst there or something? Or is it just really boring to you?

it is just a very boring city/town to be in
there is nothing to do
actually niagara does have one good thing and that is sundowners
but i dont think that is the type of place a city should take pride in

Re: People who live in, or have been to Niagara Falls...

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Mikey Mike What's it like? Okay, so that's about as vague as it gets, so i'll elaborate. My girlfriend and her family are about to sell up and move to Niagara Falls. The plan to do this has been in the works long before I even met her, but it wasn't supposed to happen for another 2 years. Long story short, they've changed their minds, and its happening within 2 months instead. Nice one. My relationship with my girlfriend is a serious one. Before all this happened we intended to be married within a year from now. I love her very much, but am within 2 minds whether or not I should go with her. Now this is obviously a life changing decision that I can't just make overnight, so was hoping to get a little bit of information on the place where I might be carrying out the rest of my days. I have searched quite extensively on the internet, but can't seem to find anything useful beyond your typical 'tourist' type information. I am not looking for a holiday afterall, I might be living here. So I was hoping to get some opinions of people who have been there, or even better, live there. I'll start with a few specifics but feel free to mention anything that might be worthwhile of my attention. The population - Is it a busy city? I have grown up in major cities in the UK like London, Manchester, Newcastle, etc. I'm used to an active non-stop lifestyle. What can I expect from Niagara Falls? Is it heavily populated, or quite tame? Are there things to do or will I be bored? The night life - I don't necessarily mean the super clubs. To be honest i'm not into that sort of thing anymore anyway. What I mean are your average clubs and bars where you can just go out and get drunk and listen to shit music. Just nights out with your friends basically. Obviously location will play a part, but in general what can I expect to find? Accessability - I'm not exactly sure where abouts they are moving to within Niagara Falls, but are the bigger cities like Toronto or even New York within a reasonable distance and easily accessable? How far distance and timewise? Employment - How easy would it be to get a job out there? I do have qualifications, but to just get my feet on the ground and make sure I like living there, I would want to get stuck in with a simple office job, or an easy data processing job. Would I be hard done by to find that sort of thing? The schools - Are the schools of a decent or acceptable level? Would you be okay with raising your children here? Weather - What's it like? How cold does it get in the winter? What are the summers like? I am used to my fair share of shit weather being from England and all, but I know Canada can get fucking cold! This is of some concern. Sports / Football - In my spare time I play and compete in a lot of sports like football (soccer to you guys I guess?), athletics, swimming, badmington, etc. It's a big part of my life. Especially playing football. I play for 4 amateur football teams (3 seven aside and 1 eleven aside). Are there lots of amateur leagues i'd have the choice of joining, or is this sort of thing not taken as seriously as it is in the UK? That's all I can think of for now. I guess there are probably better places on the internet I could have posted this, but I like the brutal honesty you get from some of the members on TA. I appreciate any advice and opinions so if you have something that might be of help or relevance please post away. Cheers guys.

population 80,000. Tourist traps make the core feel a bit bigger but only if you like casinos, hotels and other touristy like things.
The good news, it is a great wine region
The good news, Buffalo NY is right across the river.
The better news Toronto is only about an hour and half drive away.
The bad news, you won't find the parties and extras you've become accustomed to living in really big cities although Niagra falls should have all of the basics quite within arms reach.

Nightlife: Hit up Toronto or Buffalo, the fact you even know of this website means that you're tastes in electronic dance music will not be satisfied in Niagra Falls alone. (likely not all) Toronto is great. Buffallo still has a bit of an afterhours scene although its much more 'underground' than Toronto.

Jobs: with 80,000 people there are jobs.
Data processing jobs I can not guarentee there abundance. Most likely again look to Toronto. I know many people who make the commute. most last at least 3 or 4 years with it before they start getting frustrated. If you found a place in say Hamilton, which is half way to Toronto from Niagra Falls that would be much better recomended. Hamilton is much larger than Niagra and much closer to Toronto. Also much more work availability.
Niagra Falls area is a bit of getto imo unless you go there to retire on the lake or are visiting as a tourist.

This leads into the issue of education. Niagra Falls is not known for stellar schools (rather mostly the opposite). I would rather raise kids somewhere else.

Weather: Niagra Falls is arguablly the most mild winter region in Canada outside of the east and west coastlines. This is why many senior citizens retire to Niagra on the Lake. Very mild winters due to lake effect. Winters you will get snow and it will be heavy wet snow but it is often no where near as much accumulation as they get in Buffalo NY or other areas of the province of Ontario Canada.
Summers are pleasent with July and August being the hottest and most like a real summer. The other months surrounding july and august are cooler. expect winter by mid october. Expect thraw by late March. For the record 99% of Canada will get snow regardless of where you are. (possible exception being Victoria, British Columbia)

Sports: you want to be in Toronto. Niagra Falls will not likely satify you for your requests. Toronto will have summer leagues to satify most of your desires. The rest can be met in Toronto by joining a health club and meeting like minded individuals to play with.

IMO: If you do want to come over we would love to have you. I know a few couples that have made the commute between Hamilton and Toronto regulary (ex: Finary on TA here!) for the sake of relationships. Niagra isn't that much further down the highway and very do-able. The kinds of things you want in are in Toronto, not Niagra Falls. If you're girlfriend is anything like you, she will likely realize this too and wish to move to Toronto aswell...something worth considering.

Hope this helps. I'd be happy to elaborate further on any of this if you wish, just let me know.
It's a tough call. If you really think she is the one then I'd say do it, but live somewhere near by, not in Niagra Falls. You will most likely go nuts for more stimulation and opportunity.

Re: Re: People who live in, or have been to Niagara Falls...

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Originally posted by nusty population 80,000. Tourist traps make the core feel a bit bigger but only if you like casinos, hotels and other touristy like things. The good news, it is a great wine region The good news, Buffalo NY is right across the river. The better news Toronto is only about an hour and half drive away. The bad news, you won't find the parties and extras you've become accustomed to living in really big cities although Niagra falls should have all of the basics quite within arms reach. Nightlife: Hit up Toronto or Buffalo, the fact you even know of this website means that you're tastes in electronic dance music will not be satisfied in Niagra Falls alone. (likely not all) Toronto is great. Buffallo still has a bit of an afterhours scene although its much more 'underground' than Toronto. Jobs: with 80,000 people there are jobs. Data processing jobs I can not guarentee there abundance. Most likely again look to Toronto. I know many people who make the commute. most last at least 3 or 4 years with it before they start getting frustrated. If you found a place in say Hamilton, which is half way to Toronto from Niagra Falls that would be much better recomended. Hamilton is much larger than Niagra and much closer to Toronto. Also much more work availability. Niagra Falls area is a bit of getto imo unless you go there to retire on the lake or are visiting as a tourist. This leads into the issue of education. Niagra Falls is not known for stellar schools (rather mostly the opposite). I would rather raise kids somewhere else. Weather: Niagra Falls is arguablly the most mild winter region in Canada outside of the east and west coastlines. This is why many senior citizens retire to Niagra on the Lake. Very mild winters due to lake effect. Winters you will get snow and it will be heavy wet snow but it is often no where near as much accumulation as they get in Buffalo NY or other areas of the province of Ontario Canada. Summers are pleasent with July and August being the hottest and most like a real summer. The other months surrounding july and august are cooler. expect winter by mid october. Expect thraw by late March. For the record 99% of Canada will get snow regardless of where you are. (possible exception being Victoria, British Columbia) Sports: you want to be in Toronto. Niagra Falls will not likely satify you for your requests. IMO: If you do want to come over we would love to have you. I know a few couples that have made the commute between Hamilton and Toronto regulary (ex: Finary on TA here!) for the sake of relationships. Niagra isn't that much further down the highway and very do-able. The kinds of things you want in are in Toronto, not Niagra Falls. If you're girlfriend is anything like you, she will likely realize this too and wish to move to Toronto aswell...something worth considering.

This is an awesome post, thank you. I will give a lot of consideration to the points you've raised here. I am going to have to find out what places her family have been looking at to get a better idea of locations. If the option of getting into Toronto easily enough isn't available to me it sounds like I probably won't be happy moving here.

Re: Re: Re: People who live in, or have been to Niagara Falls...

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Originally posted by DJ Mikey Mike This is an awesome post, thank you. I will give a lot of consideration to the points you've raised here. I am going to have to find out what places her family have been looking at to get a better idea of locations. If the option of getting into Toronto easily enough isn't available to me it sounds like I probably won't be happy moving here.

would it not work if you lived an hour away from her family?

also would she be willing to move to Toronto with you to be an hour away from her family?

by the way our birthdays are only 2 days apart. if you came we would have to party together at the annual labour or love party that weekend in Toronto anyway.

oh and you also mentioned NYC.... I often drive back and forth from Toronto area to NYC. The drive takes about 6 horus from Niagra Falls.

I'm not really sure. Whatever information I get from this thread I will present to her and we can take it from there. We wouldn't exactly be in a position to get our own place right away either so would probably live with her family first. I don't think she exactly knows what to expect once out there either. It's all happened so fast really. There's lots of possibilites I suppose, so i'm just gonna have to do all I can do at the moment which I guess is just research for now.

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Originally posted by nusty oh and you also mentioned NYC.... I often drive back and forth from Toronto area to NYC. The drive takes about 6 horus from Niagra Falls.

Fuck that.

best of luck to you.

One initial thought would be to come over stay with her folks, go explore niagra falls and the surrounding area for a week or two. if you like it cool, if not then go check out Toronto and possibly go job hunting there. once a job is secured commute for your first month to save some cash and then find a place closer to work that is still axessable to Niagra Falls. If that isn't an option and you decide you don't like/ can't handle it here then have a back up plan where maybe you decide to go back to England. That way at least it was attempted and you know you made more than an honest effort to give it a shot and see what could become of the opportunity.

Nice one, cheers.

I hope you do get things sorted out.

One thing i must warn you about, since you have lived in London, is basic public transportation. Southern Ontario, is built on the auto industry and it really does show in terms of traveling within cities, and from city to city. Be prepared for that.

I have lived in Toronto, and Mississauga(suburb of), and its a pain the ass to get around to be honest. I have gotten used to it now, but its not all that convienent if you want to go city to city.

As with any other major tourist city, most of the times, locals resent the tourists. I am not saying thats the case, but thats what history has taught me. A lot of the time, city planners focus on the tourists' needs, and wants, before the people who live there, because thats who spends the money, tourists.

Niagra Falls = #1 honey moon spot in the world


Sorry to paint such a blique picture, especially for a place like Niagra falls, but I dont see how it could be enjoyable to live there. Other than the fact that its WONDERFUL CANADA!!!

Good news though, Toronto and all the djs you want to hear, are very close by Same with a very large, and very friendly TA population.

Meh. Seen 'em a million times.

Re: People who live in, or have been to Niagara Falls...

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Mikey Mike The population - Is it a busy city? I have grown up in major cities in the UK like London, Manchester, Newcastle, etc. I'm used to an active non-stop lifestyle. What can I expect from Niagara Falls? Is it heavily populated, or quite tame? Are there things to do or will I be bored?

-It'll be quite smaller than what you expect. IIRC Niagara Falls is about 150,000. While there are some stuff to do there, like good wine industry, Niagara on the Lake is IMO one of the best date spots to visit, generally it's dull.

quote:

The night life - I don't necessarily mean the super clubs. To be honest i'm not into that sort of thing anymore anyway. What I mean are your average clubs and bars where you can just go out and get drunk and listen to shit music. Just nights out with your friends basically. Obviously location will play a part, but in general what can I expect to find?

-Lots of 19 yr old Yanks running around making a nuisance out of themselves. Oh, and 19 yr old Yank girls doing some minge. Not much of a nightlife in terms of EDM. I haven't seen much of a good pub to chill, but then again, a lot of that sort of stuff is geared towards tourism. Maybe you'll find something around a neighbourhood.
For clubbing, stick to toronto.

quote:

Accessability - I'm not exactly sure where abouts they are moving to within Niagara Falls, but are the bigger cities like Toronto or even New York within a reasonable distance and easily accessable? How far distance and timewise?

-Toronto is about hour and half by car. Buffalo is like an hr so. Hamilton is about 30 mins. So going to a decent sized city for shopping and what not is fine.

quote:

Employment - How easy would it be to get a job out there? I do have qualifications, but to just get my feet on the ground and make sure I like living there, I would want to get stuck in with a simple office job, or an easy data processing job. Would I be hard done by to find that sort of thing?

-Dunno about that. You'll probably have better chance finding something tourism related in Niagara area. But, the economy's been decent last 10 yrs or so.

quote:

The schools - Are the schools of a decent or acceptable level? Would you be okay with raising your children here?

-Canada's been what, top 6 in UN quality of life index for last few years. But for specific details, better off talking to someone who actually went to school in the area. Quite a few decent universities in the area though.

quote:

Weather - What's it like? How cold does it get in the winter? What are the summers like? I am used to my fair share of shit weather being from England and all, but I know Canada can get fucking cold! This is of some concern.

-Hot, sticky summers. Some really shitty snow days in winter. TBH the winter's been mild for last few years, except for few odd days here and there. You'll probably feel like your balls are frozen off for first few winters.

quote:

Sports / Football - In my spare time I play and compete in a lot of sports like football (soccer to you guys I guess?), athletics, swimming, badmington, etc. It's a big part of my life. Especially playing football. I play for 4 amateur football teams (3 seven aside and 1 eleven aside). Are there lots of amateur leagues i'd have the choice of joining, or is this sort of thing not taken as seriously as it is in the UK?

-There's always a league of some sorts around, it's just finding the info that's the hard part. Don't expect real competition in most of the leagues though.

Re: People who live in, or have been to Niagara Falls...

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Originally posted by DJ Mikey Mike The population - its a boring place...everyone knows everyone (almost)...i know people that live there and its as good as a small town lifestyle The night life - theres about 2 or wait i think 3..yea 3 spots only that the under 30 frequent...everyone is compelled to get wasted and go home Accessability - niagara is not too big but as long as ur not in the tourist part (which really is majority of the area), its far and wide....nobody bothers with the transit system there. Employment - offices?? they have offices here??..ud prolly end up working in the neighbouring cities of St. Catherins and all The schools - Are the schools of a decent or acceptable level? Would you be okay with raising your children here? Weather - winters are like any other city in southern ontario...not much different Sports / Football - no idea about niagara falls

The tourist area only does a fair job of masking the ghetto.

Well seeing how I had to grow up in Niagara Falls I can tell you the truth about the city.

Quiet and everybody seems to know who you are. I mean when I started doing pillz it was like the whole city knew I was an e-tard before i did. Affter my second rave my mom & dad had the drug talk with me... funny that would be about 16 years ago now.
When i was living there back in the early 1990's we used to throw parties actually one of our parties was voted best of the year on good ol Dr. Trance radio show. Ok so Im an old fart. And the good thing is you are close to Toronto for partying and Niagara Falls NY is a good place to go get drunk cheap but they have no taste in music.

Anyways back to Niagara - employment you either work for the casino or some other toursit related field, not alot of other options available.

You need a car that is all I can say on that. Public transit sux ass 1 bus every hour.

Rent is cheap and buying a house is affordable, but then again there arent many real jobs. Its a hospitality based economy so that means min wage type jobs.

The mall is almost empty the last time i was visiting ma & pa i was shocked the entire place is dead.

quote:

Originally posted by Orko Good news though, Toronto and all the djs you want to hear, are very close by Same with a very large, and very friendly TA population.

And we could always use another wicked TA DJ

You got it guy...it's miserable. I'm from Buffalo and even I couldn't stand the Falls, though the Keg over the falls (up on the 7th floor) fuckin rocks for an intimate atmosphere. Seductions and the 'Downer are good if you like the peelers, and there are some great chinese restaurants.

Bottom line: stay in TO and let your girl find a way to get back there.

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Originally posted by DigitalMP Seductions and the 'Downer are good if you like the peelers Bottom line: stay in TO and let your girl find a way to get back there.

+1 on both of these suggestions

niagara-on-the-lake is very close to niagara falls and it is very nice. If you've ever bee to Unionville mainstreet it's very similar to that. It's not exactly exciting tho, the whole region has some nice parts to it. I love the winereries and some of the smaller places to go. There is the Niagara wine an dgrape festival etc. In terms of nightlight, there isn't a whole lot tho, there are some lame college bars and such and few martini bars, but you would probably need to go to TO or maybe Buffalo (there are a couple of ok places in Buffalo, but for the most part if you want EDM you will need to come to TO a lot of ppl from Buffalo do) Niagara Falls itself isn't that nice of a place, but there are lots of jobs for students tp work p/t in hotels and other service industries and make some serious coin. If you guys are old enough to marry, could you not settle in Toronto? Are you both done school/working? How old are you both?

Re: Re: People who live in, or have been to Niagara Falls...

quote:

Originally posted by nusty Nightlife: Hit up Toronto or Buffalo, the fact you even know of this website means that you're tastes in electronic dance music will not be satisfied in Niagra Falls alone. (likely not all) Toronto is great. Buffallo still has a bit of an afterhours scene although its much more 'underground' than Toronto.

uhm, definitely toronto for nightlife and not buffalo.
i made the mistake last summer of suggesting to a couple friends to head to buffalo for one night to check out the 'nightlife'. not many clubs in buffalo. it is mostly bars. as far as afterhours go, it pretty much doesnt exist. i spoke with some club patrons and bartenders about afterhours and their response was "you must be from canada. we go to toronto for afterhours and parties. i dont know what made you decide to come here for that." i felt like such an idiot.

we went to a place that was a nightclub on one side and a bar on the other. the club side was playing trance/house/hip hop and it was dead. wandered over to the bar side and it was packed. not much of a party or club scene there.

we left the bar around 2am because it was just so boring and decided to wander around their little so-called entertainment district for a bit. we walked from one end of the club/bar district to the other in about a minute. we saw quite a few fights on the street. cops were plentiful but they didnt seem to give a shit about the fights. we didnt want to get ourselves in any trouble so we headed back to the hotel to call it an early night.

buffalo is shit when compared to cities like NYC or toronto. even windsor has a better party scene than buffalo. the only good thing that came out of my trip to buffalo was taking a little drive to Northeast, PA to buy a shitload of firecrackers and bottle rockets to bring back.

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