Who are you?

My name is Kayla and my husband, Kyle, and I moved here about a year and a half ago after 3 years of renting in Mississauga and Oakville. I am an ECE with the Halton District School Board, and Kyle is an electrician with a company that is based out of Milton, but he travels all over for work.

Why Hamilton & what prompted the move from where you were?

After 3 years of paying rent, we felt like we were getting no where. We knew we wanted to buy something soon, and we were considering a condo near where we were currently renting. When we saw how much more our money would get us in Hamilton than in Halton, and we knew it was our best option if we wanted to buy a house. A year and a half later we couldn’t be more happy with our decision to move to Hamilton! We completely underestimated what this city has to offer, and we are still trying to get out every weekend (when it’s not freezing) and discover some of the gems!

What area of Hamilton do you currently live in? Any reason in particular you chose that area?

Stipley – Affordability of our home, it’s pretty central to the 403 and the QEW, and we have some awesome neighbours the next street over from us. 🙂 (Hah! That’s me! – Jeannie)

What resources were helpful to you in making your decision to move here?

Our realtor and my cousin, Jeannie. Browsing the available houses online was all fun, but Jeannie really helped guide us in making our decision.

What things have surprised you the most about Hamilton?

We were both skeptical when we were talking about even looking at houses in Hamilton, but we have been so pleasantly surprised! There is so much to love! Who knew that Hamilton was the city of waterfalls?! And that there are so many great local restaurants and places to shop?! This Christmas, we didn’t have to step foot into a mall once (which I loved), we went for a walk downtown along James St N and Locke St and it had everything we needed. And it feels good to support small businesses!

What advice do you have for anyone considering a move to Hamilton?

Do it!!

What do you wish you known before you moved here?

That we should have moved here sooner!

What are your favourite places and things to do around the city?

Dundas peak/trails, Supercrawl, Hambrgr & Pokeh.

Of all the things going on Hamilton these days, what are you most excited about?

How much opportunity there seems to be for people to start their own business. I sense there is lots of support in the community of small business owners.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Hamilton is a city. Like most cities, you hear lots of negative things. I grew up in Brampton, and it still is a city I love. Living in this city gave us a whole new perspective!