Part of MoveBuddy’s Canadian city moving guide
For many Canadians, their image of Hamilton is rooted in the past. They might think of an industrial city with hard-working people, but not necessarily a place that you would travel to.
Moving to Hamilton might not be something that they would have considered in the past.
However, that image is outdated. The truth is that Hamilton is a fast-growing and dynamic city that is making a name for itself. With a vibrant arts and music scene, pro sports, nature, and more, Hamilton is a place that demands your attention.
Here are 5 things to know before moving to Hamilton:
The city of waterfalls
Positioned on the Niagara Escarpment and on the shores of Lake Ontario, Hamilton has been blessed with some of the best hiking and cycling trails in Canada. In fact, it is known as the waterfall capital of Canada, with more than 100 tucked in the nooks and crannies located along those trails.
Some of the best-known waterfalls include:
There is a lot to see and for the truly adventurous, local lore says that Hermitage Cascade is haunted! Who knew that moving to Hamilton was (the good kind of) scary!
Eat ‘em Raw! Hamilton loves its football
It won’t take you long to learn that Hamilton is a football town. The CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats, specifically.
The Tiger-Cats are one of the oldest football teams in the world and are the pride of the town. On game days you will see the whole city getting behind the black and gold as they look to bring the Grey Cup back to Hamilton.
Although the Tiger-Cats are the big team in town, Hamilton also gets behind the successful Junior Hockey Bulldogs, pro soccer Forge FC and the sports teams at McMaster University.
A gateway to nature and world-class attractions
In addition to all that the city has to offer, Hamilton is also a gateway to some incredible natural wonders and world-class tourist destinations.
The Niagara Escarpment provides lots of opportunities for outdoor activities. There is rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking just a short drive away. The region is known for its road cycling, having hosted the World Championships in the past, and provides the cycling enthusiast with many challenging routes. In fact, with a world-class velodrome located in nearby Milton, Ontario, Hamilton is arguably the cycling capital of Canada!
Venturing south, you are on the doorstep of Niagara Falls and the Niagara wine region. Finally, regular train service and the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) will bring you to Toronto in about an hour.
A local arts scene to be proud of
Moving to Hamilton doesn’t mean that you have to give up your bohemian lifestyle. In fact, Hamilton has become known for its hip and quirky nature with a great deal of artists and other creative people choosing to call the city home in recent years.
You will find a thriving music, food, coffee, and arts scene, particularly in the youth-forward neighbourhoods of Downtown, Barton Village, and Corktown.
Steeltown pride
Hamilton certainly has changed this century, but that doesn’t mean that it still doesn’t maintain much of what made it great in the past. This still is a city with deep working-class roots and hometown pride.
As much as Hamilton changes, it will always maintain the core of its identity: an identity forged by hard-working and honest Canadians, who just happen to like to cheer for the Tiger-Cats on the weekends!
It’s because of that character that so many people are moving to Hamilton today!
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