Moving INFO & resources

THE BASICS

Real Estate Needs?

Well, I definitely have that covered! If you aren’t already working with a REALTOR® feel free to call me at 289-925-5614 or email me jeannie@jeanniecrawford.com.

MOVING

I recently used Amazing Movers and Storage for a client’s home and we were thrilled with the service, easy booking and great pricing.

utilities

  • For Hydro and Water you’ll want to contact Alectra Utilities (formerly Horizon)
  • For Gas – check out Enbridge
  • Internet & Cable depending on where you live, you have a few different options outside of the typical big names:   Rogers, Bell, Shaw, Cogeco and our personal favourite Start

Garbage pickup

Here’s where to find out when your pick up day is, and to read over all the municipal rules for what can and can’t be put out, limits, the tag system.

Tax INFO

Yep, you have to pay property tax – this page helps you find out how to read your tax bill, how to make payments, and lots more.

SCHOOLS

You can search by address for schools in the Hamilton Wentworth Board, as well as the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic Board. Post Secondary Education has of course Mohawk College , as well as McMaster University – both schools offer both full time and continuing education programs.  If you’re interested in private school, just west of Mohawk College you’ll find Hillfield Strathallan College.

NEED WORK?

HOME MAINTENANCE

Plumbing

Adam’s Plumbing, super quick and reasonable pricing. For last minute emergencies this is one you want to have on speed dial, if you have a drain back up, you do NOT want to be trying to find out who to call: RotoRooter.

Electrician

 Kirsch Electric Contracting, Hank’s Electric, and Valley Voltage have always been very responsive, thorough and fair.

WATER SERVICE LINE

In the lower city many of the homes still have lead or undersized pipes and as a home owner you may want to make that change. Myself and clients have used Baldasaro and Stokoe to upgrade the lead water lines coming into the house, read more about the program here and let me know if you have any questions!

GETTING AROUND

BEHIND THE WHEEL

  • Lincoln Alexander Highway aka The Linc – opened in 1997, it’s an 11km southern bypass that connects the 403 in the west end to the Red Hill / QEW in the East
  • Red Hill Expressway – opened in 2007, it’s a 7km expressway in the east end of Hamilton that connects the QEW to the Linc
    403 vs QEW – So many people think of Hamilton being just that factory town you see from the Skyway bridge as they drive along the QEW on their way to Niagara Falls – but if you take the 403 into or past the city, you get a completely different view of the area that is a beautiful canopy of trees up the escarpment and the Hamilton Harbour
  • One way streets! – Mainly a downtown thing, you have some major throughway streets that are one way, as well as a lot of the neighbourhood side streets, so keep your eyes open, as they do change from one way to 2 way in random spots. I think every newcomer is guilty of driving the wrong way down a one way at some point. Also important to note here – you may get thrown off as you see people parking in the “wrong”direction on two way streets, make it a habit to NOT follow this practice. Bylaw can decide to ticket this practice at random times, so just be consistent and park the right way
  • Mountain Accesses – within the city grid, to get from the lower to the upper and vice versa, you have various access roads to choose from

PEOPLE POWERED TRANSIT

  • 2 way bike lanes – The city has a long way to go, but citizens have pushed for progress in implementing two way bike lanes across the city. 
  • The stairs – the lower and upper portions of the city are connected by 7 sets of escarpment stairs that are popular for exercise, but also can get you by foot from one area to the other.
  • Bike Share – Hamilton Bikeshare is a membership driven bicycle service, with a heavy concentration of stations in the downtown core and Westdale.

YOUR CHARIOT AWAITS

  • HSR (Hamilton Street Railway) – Hamilton’s City Transit service currently offering bus services to all non-rural areas in all 6 communities. It is a big topic of discussion as 100% of Hamilton proper is serviced, but only small portions of Flamborough and Glanbrook for example have any transit services – yet all council members get equal votes on all areas – if you are interested in local politics, the topic of transit, the downtown bus lane pilot project and the potential of Light Rapid Transit will be of great interest to you as the debates rage on (and on and on).
  • DARTS – (Disabled & Aged Regional Transport System) – you’ll likely notice the little buses around town with DARTS in big letters on the side. It is a regional, non profit service that is contracted through the HSR to provide transit for people unable to take regular transit, offering door to door service for those qualified.
  • GO – there is both train and bus service out of the downtown Hunter GO station and in the north end’s West Harbour station (now with hourly service to Toronto!)
  • Uber and Lyft. Both of the ride companies have a presence in Hamilton.

HEALTHCARE

MEDICAL

If you’re new to the area you may be in need of a new family physician – check here to see who is taking on new patients or check out this list of Walk in Clinics.

 

Hospitals

Furry Family Members?

FOOD

GROCERY STORES

Most major chains are represented in most areas: Metro, Fortinos, Food Basics, Costco has a location in both Ancaster & Stoney Creek. We also have a lot of independent grocers and specialty food shops to explore.

  • Goodness Me with locations in Kirkendall (Locke street), Upper Hamilton (Upper Gage) and now in Waterdown as well
  • Zarky’s Fine Food with 2 locations on Hamilton Mountain and one in lower Hamilton on Dundurn South
  • Denninger’s is a local favourite for speciality International food items with 4 Hamilton retail locations: 1 downtown, 1 in stoney creek and 1 on the Mountain on Upper James

Hamilton West

  • Fidde’s is a west end treasure with wholesale vegetables, a local secret known to many in Ainslie Wood
  • Dundurn Market –  community driven market with local produce, grocery and prepared foods
  • Hammerhead’s – sustainable seafood on Locke (a grocery location to the popular Ottawa St spot)
  • Artie’s – Formerly Pasta Mercato. Fine Italian food on Locke. Get fresh pasta, focaccia and pre-made dishes here.

Central Hamilton

  • CE Elliot – Butcher and meat seller, offers freezer bundles
  • Nations Fresh in Jackson Square
  • B&T market on Queen North
  • Barton Lettuce – Produce market on Barton Street
  •  Jamie Waldron Butcher – Whole meat butcher on Barton St (tucked in an alley). Meat from small farms and an emphasis on using the whole animal.
  • Latin Food & Products – Exactly as it sounds. Great place to grab latin groceries – they have just about everything you could think of. You can find them at the Hamilton Farmer’s Market or at their new spot on James St N.

East Hamilton

  • Coven an all-vegan grocer, can be found on Main St right across from Gage Park
  • East Hamilton Cheese Co – great little cheese shop on Ottawa St, offers some vegan options too
  • Ottawa Market lovely market by the folks from Dundurn Market
  • Murray’s Butcher – Farmer owned butcher shop with pasture-raised meats on Ottawa St
  • Starskys for some of the best European imports in the city (don’t miss the pierogi aisle)
  • Punjab International boasts food from every corner of the world

The Mountain

Dundas

Delivery
  • CC Produce delivers fresh produce to your door with no subscription required
  • Dundurn Market offers market boxes delivery by bike
  •  FoodFund is fighting food waste with delivery of produce boxes filled with ‘imperfect’ and surplus fruits and veggies