[JasonParis]

That was my experience when I moved to Fredericton. Atlantic Canadians are superficially famously friendly, but not welcoming to permanent newcomers. I find downtown Torontonians to be the oppsoite, warily standoffish at first, but warmly welcoming once acquainted.

I think that applies to Canada vis-a-vis Toronto at large, TBH.

 

[p_xavier]

Living rural/small town is no different than living in a big city - you have to commit. Boring and depressing? Play hockey, join a curling club, snowmobile, cross-country (or downhill) ski. It's mostly at your door. Small towns are not just little versions of big cities.

I'm surprised your friend didn't like Picton. I think there are more ex-pat Torontonians than locals.

Exactly, there are so many things to do, you just need to join groups.

 

[p_xavier]

That was my experience when I moved to Fredericton. Atlantic Canadians are superficially famously friendly, but not welcoming to permanent newcomers. I find downtown Torontonians to be the oppsoite, warily standoffish at first, but warmly welcoming once acquainted.

Being from New Brunswick myself, I can see how you felt that way. Strangers are usually not welcomed to stay in a small knitted close-minded monocultural community. It's a recent phenomenon that people are heading to the Atlantic provinces so folks will need to adapt or their villages will stay in decay.

Something about the friendliness of Torontonians, when at a food court/publlic space strangers come sit and talk with you. It's something my friends didn't believe at all happens and I showed them last time I was there on how weird it is.

 

[AlbertC]

I'll just slot this in here as Paris, Ontario has been mentioned in this thread before:

Paris, Ont. church gets a new lease on life - constructconnect.com - Daily Commercial News

At a time when many mainstream churches are being demolished or turned into trendy condominiums because of dwindling congregations, a historic and architecturally significant church in southwestern Ontario is going in a different direction. Designed by L

canada.constructconnect.com

 

[Towered]

Orillia is quite nice. Was just there today. Lots, of cool, interesting shops in the historic downtown. It's quaint. Cozy. Nice waterfront too.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Orillia is quite nice. Was just there today. Lots, of cool, interesting shops in the historic downtown. It's quaint. Cozy. Nice waterfront too.

I like the small towns on the VIA Corridor and those on the planned HSR route. Brockville, Smiths Falls, etc. Several of my older mates have moved to Port Hope and Cobourg for this reason - easy access to TO. There’s also SW Ontario on the Corridor, like Woodstock, but I’m an eastern ON fan.

 

[lenaitch]

I like the small towns on the VIA Corridor and those on the planned HSR route. Brockville, Smiths Falls, etc. Several of my older mates have moved to Port Hope and Cobourg for this reason - easy access to TO. There’s also SW Ontario on the Corridor, like Woodstock, but I’m an eastern ON fan.

I really like Brockville and Gananoque. If we didn't decide to move closer to The Kid, I would have lobbied the missus for Brockville. I don't know that much about Perth or Smiths Falls but like the looks of Perth. I would imagine you would have to get east of Cobourg to get away from the 'Toronto-effect' of pricing.

 

[PL1]

I really like Brockville and Gananoque. If we didn't decide to move closer to The Kid, I would have lobbied the missus for Brockville. I don't know that much about Perth or Smiths Falls but like the looks of Perth. I would imagine you would have to get east of Cobourg to get away from the 'Toronto-effect' of pricing.

There was an article in the July 17th Globe about prices coming down in PEC... Not sure if that would make it affordable again. Also, Kingston is not cheap (at least downtown) due to Queen's (employees and students)

 

[Towered]

I like the small towns on the VIA Corridor and those on the planned HSR route. Brockville, Smiths Falls, etc. Several of my older mates have moved to Port Hope and Cobourg for this reason - easy access to TO. There’s also SW Ontario on the Corridor, like Woodstock, but I’m an eastern ON fan.

Port Hope and Cobourg both have very charming, historic downtowns. Never been to Woodstock. And yes, lack of rail access is a big minus with Orillia.

 

[lenaitch]

There was an article in the July 17th Globe about prices coming down in PEC... Not sure if that would make it affordable again. Also, Kingston is not cheap (at least downtown) due to Queen's (employees and students)

"Coming down" would be relative. Even back in the late '80s before The County 'was found', I was almost transferred to Belleville. Even back then, there was a significant price difference between anything in The County and properties north of the 401 in places like Sterling, Foxboro, etc.

Port Hope and Cobourg both have very charming, historic downtowns

Many of the communities in eastern Ontario are like that, primarily because they were settled earlier and an abundance of Limestone for constructing durable buildings.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Many of the communities in eastern Ontario are like that, primarily because they were settled earlier and an abundance of Limestone for constructing durable buildings.

I do love any town with a British colonial fort. I was in Prescott last month and really like the place.

And look what $650k can get you!

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/27185527/3414-windmill-point-road-johnstown-windmill-point-estates

Or $390k!!!

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/27188893/146-dibble-street-w-prescott-prescott

 

[Towered]

"Coming down" would be relative. Even back in the late '80s before The County 'was found', I was almost transferred to Belleville. Even back then, there was a significant price difference between anything in The County and properties north of the 401 in places like Sterling, Foxboro, etc.


Many of the communities in eastern Ontario are like that, primarily because they were settled earlier and an abundance of Limestone for constructing durable buildings.

I'm wondering what other gems there are that I'm not aware of. I will say however that two eastern Ontario towns come to mind that I thought totally sucked - Trenton and Cornwall.