|
People who live in, or have been to Niagara Falls...
|
View this Thread in Original format
| 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 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 weather being from England and all, but I know Canada can get ing 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. |
|
|
| chinamon |
one thing comes to mind when i think of niagara falls.
it sucks. |
|
|
| DJ Mikey Mike |
| Can you not be more specific? |
|
|
| Rodrico |
| Only good thing about Niagara...Casinos. |
|
|
| Plump Funk |
| quote: | Originally posted by chinamon
one thing comes to mind when i think of niagara falls.
it sucks. |
tacky too. |
|
|
| chinamon |
| quote: | 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. |
|
|
| 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? |
|
|
| chinamon |
| 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 |
|
|
| nusty |
| 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 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 weather being from England and all, but I know Canada can get ing 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. |
|
|
| DJ Mikey Mike |
| quote: | 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. |
|
|
| nusty |
| quote: | 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. |
|
|
| DJ Mikey Mike |
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.
| quote: | 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. |
that. :stongue: :( |
|
|
|
|
