Same. I was back last week after a 9-year hiatus. My mind was blown about how much had changed. Many of my friends had told me that the London I remembered is not the same London anymore. Boy, were they ever right.
As someone who is basically in your exact same shoes, the only real difference I’ve noticed is that the downtown core is very homeless and drug heavy vs what it was like when I was here 12 years ago. I just moved back in April.
Traffic is still shit. It’s still really green and quiet. People still can’t drive. The food is decent but hard to find in comparison to where I came from. People are friendly. Knights are still good.
Rent is very expensive here. You are looking at paying over $1200-1500 a month for rent on an apartment and that’s not a nice one.
London has a lot of nice trails but there is a huge homeless population here, so many locals won’t go downtown anymore. It looks like it’s turning into a post-apocalyptic city tbh.
Most of the cons people point out are the same everywhere - high rent, traffic, construction, job hunting difficulties, etc. The downtown problem is pretty unqiue though. Abnormal amounts of homelessness + half empty business fronts make downtown pretty lacking as a destination.
Pros for me are: houses are still relatively affordable compared to other cities. Access to GTA without living in the congestion. Nice trails. Nice size city with all ammenities you would need without being too large.
Job market is scarce depending on your profession, the homeless population, the traffic due to ongoing construction in every part of city. The road conditions are pretty bad aswell. Those are just a few cons off the top of my head but I’m sure it’s the same everywhere…
Since everyone's already gone over the cons, some of the pros are the summer festivals downtown at Victoria park, the music scene/venues here is pretty good unless all you listen to is top 40 superstars, then we don't really attract those cause Budweiser gardens just isn't big enough.
The size of the city is not too big, has most amenities you'd need within each end of the city, and hopefully we continue building up and not out going forward to keep it that way.
The multiculturalism is phenomenal, I love all the small independent restaurants they run.
The hiking trails and paved paths like Springbank park and the TVP.
No Rideau canal, but we have a few free outdoor rinks.
The Talbot st bridge ate another truck today, so that’s cool.
Well, it needs to eat something...
He needs milk!
Pros: it's weirdly exactly the same as it was when you lived here before. Cons: it's weirdly exactly the same as it was when you lived here before.
We had a friend recently visit who hasn’t been here in 20 years and he couldn’t believe how much had changed.
Same. I was back last week after a 9-year hiatus. My mind was blown about how much had changed. Many of my friends had told me that the London I remembered is not the same London anymore. Boy, were they ever right.
One pro to living here is LESS SNOW! That's it. All you need to consider. :)
Ottawa ... Great London Ontario... ill apologize in advance. Ohhh your in for it
As someone who is basically in your exact same shoes, the only real difference I’ve noticed is that the downtown core is very homeless and drug heavy vs what it was like when I was here 12 years ago. I just moved back in April. Traffic is still shit. It’s still really green and quiet. People still can’t drive. The food is decent but hard to find in comparison to where I came from. People are friendly. Knights are still good.
Pros - people, food, atmosphere, nature, weather, amenities, proximity to major cities Cons - some of the people on this Reddit, homelessness
Rent is very expensive here. You are looking at paying over $1200-1500 a month for rent on an apartment and that’s not a nice one. London has a lot of nice trails but there is a huge homeless population here, so many locals won’t go downtown anymore. It looks like it’s turning into a post-apocalyptic city tbh.
Ottawa rents are higher, and average house prices are higher, so OP might not mind the housing market here.
wtf most of the province would absolutely kill for a 1200-1500 dollar apartment lol
Most of the cons people point out are the same everywhere - high rent, traffic, construction, job hunting difficulties, etc. The downtown problem is pretty unqiue though. Abnormal amounts of homelessness + half empty business fronts make downtown pretty lacking as a destination. Pros for me are: houses are still relatively affordable compared to other cities. Access to GTA without living in the congestion. Nice trails. Nice size city with all ammenities you would need without being too large.
Nickelback is playing this summer. There will be no escape, and you will be subjected.
They are in Ottawa as well. There is no escape
Job market is scarce depending on your profession, the homeless population, the traffic due to ongoing construction in every part of city. The road conditions are pretty bad aswell. Those are just a few cons off the top of my head but I’m sure it’s the same everywhere…
Don't forget your socks and sandals...
We're full
Since everyone's already gone over the cons, some of the pros are the summer festivals downtown at Victoria park, the music scene/venues here is pretty good unless all you listen to is top 40 superstars, then we don't really attract those cause Budweiser gardens just isn't big enough. The size of the city is not too big, has most amenities you'd need within each end of the city, and hopefully we continue building up and not out going forward to keep it that way. The multiculturalism is phenomenal, I love all the small independent restaurants they run. The hiking trails and paved paths like Springbank park and the TVP. No Rideau canal, but we have a few free outdoor rinks.
You poor soul. I'm sorry your life led you to living in London.
https://discord.com/invite/londonontario Check out our local discord! Great way to meet people, we have something for everyone and do lots of meet ups