Located between the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario, Hamilton has the resources and systems to encourage the growth and innovation of savvy progressive businesses, institutions and workforces. The city is famed for its industrial heritage and, although there was a drastic decline in production and employment in the 1990s, the city has experienced steady growth in recent years, regaining its reputation as a key player in Canada’s manufacturing industries and several sectors.
Central Hamilton comprises several neighbourhoods with unique characteristics; the downtown core is made up of corporate structures, businesses and some new condos. On the other side of this business district there are residential neigbourhoods made up of early 20th century buildings, creating an atmosphere that offers the best of both worlds.
The Hamilton Lifestyle
Hamilton has a large French community which makes it home away from home for francophone newcomers. In addition to French speaking individuals, the city also welcomes a high proportion of immigrants from India, Portugal, Poland and Italy. In fact, the 2006 census showed that about 20% of Hamiltonians were born outside the city.
Many Hamiltonians that have reached the legal drinking age head out to bars at night to enjoy anything from beers to cocktail and good music. Augusta Street has many of the city’s most popular bars, and is mostly known for its British Pub District. Hess Street is another fun place to be at night, but is more popular with younger partiers and most locals only go there when they yearn for a little more fun.
Landmarks and Recreation in Hamilton
Dundurn Castle is one of Canada’s most historic mansions with lots of history behind its architecture. The estate is well maintained, and so much effort has been invested into preserving the history of the place and presenting it with accuracy. The costumed staff will help you discover exciting rooms, with each one telling its unique story. Tour inside the historic estate opens you up to the secrets of its former inhabitants – the wealthy family that lived upstairs and the hard-working servants just below the stairs.
The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is another top landmark in the city. With over 40 planes from the past and present, the country’s largest flying museum reveals a unique world of magic – a collection that includes the WWII bomber, the Avro Lancaster. It is the only place in the world where you can still fly this aircraft.
There are also lots of opportunities for recreation in Hamilton. The Hamilton beachfront is always a vibrant place no matter the time of the year. This little slice of paradise stretches all the way from far East Hamilton to Burlington, and provides the platform for many local businesses and activities.
Hamilton Transit
One of Hamilton’s many selling points are its accessibility. No matter what your current situation may be, there is a transit system that can get you to your destination in the least amount of time possible. In addition to the city’s many expressways, roadways and highways, there are bike lanes on the main roads for cyclists and pathways in wooded areas for pedestrians.
The Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) is a modern public transit system, with over 40 convenient routes. The city also has two GO stations, an International airport (the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is the busiest air cargo hub in Canada).
Hamilton Real Estate
Housing in Hamilton is quite affordable; you can expect to pay around $320,000 for a single-family home. the average cost of rental housing ranges between $750 and $850 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, and between $1100 and $1400 for a three-bedroom apartment.