Anyone from Windsor? Some ?'s for you....

[ChisJo]

Not that long ago, I posted on here that we were transfered to Toronto....well, that all changed last night when we were told that the actual location was Windsor. I have to tell you, I am not happy about it at all. The fact that we were led to believe that it was Toronto, and now doing all the research for that city, angered me a wee bit. But, ok, I started doing some research for Windsor, and now I am extremely concerned about this move.

Can anyone from Windsor PLEASE clarify some concerns I have? Also, alleviate this anxiety?

Firstly, what is your economy like? The demographics? Income levels (the reason I ask this is because this affects my husbands career dramatically!)? Can you please describe the town for me?

Where is Essex? This is where they are telling us to move.

I worry about things there right now because I have heard that they are closing down plants and people are losing jobs...since my husbands company deals with unions too, I can't see this bit of news being good for us.

Also, I am having a very hard time finding a job too. I am a registered nurse, with a specialty in pediatrics. I have heard that all pediatrics get transferred to sick kids in Toronto. What other facilities are there to work in, in and around Windsor? I have only found 2 postings for RN's, and they were both for specialties that I cannot apply for as I am not qualified. Any suggestions? This isn't meant to sound rude, but I just don't want to be one of those people who has spent all this money on a degree and now works at Tim Hortons (this is my biggest anxiety right now - and the one that has kept me crying non-stop since I started looking for jobs!).

Any information on anything will be greatly appreciated! You can PM me too if you would like!

[wickness2]

I dont live there anymore. But I do know about Essex. Family lives there. Its a small "county town". You can see tractors in town. *L* But in the last few years they have been building it up. There is a Burger King, Canadain Tire, and Shoppers Drug Mart. There is no mall there. :( Just independent small stores on the main street. Its a very clean town. Its cheaper to live in Essex then Windsor. The commute is about 20 minutes. It is central to alot of other towns also.. Near US, and Point Pelee. 3 hours to Toronto. :)
Its one of those sleepy towns, where everyone knows each other. Yuck!
Down side to Essex. No jobs.. unless you want to work for Timmies.

here is a link to the newspaper there. change the xxx.... xxxx. essexfreepress.reinvented.net/

[Ham Ham]

Essex is only about 25 km's from downtown Windsor. There must be requirement for pediatric nurses in the Windsor area. Is working for a doctor an option?

You're only about 45 minutes from the Detroit airport and your house in Windsor will be a fraction of what your house is worth in Edmonton.

Windsor has no traffic and is easy to get around.

Will your partners firm be located in Essex or is that where they are telling you to move?

[bookbabe_disneynut]

I have heard that all pediatrics get transferred to sick kids in Toronto.

Nope...just the really serious cases usually. Sick Kids is a specialist hospital. Almost all hospitals still have a pediatrics department for more routine things...

[ChisJo]

The office itself will be in Windsor - they are telling us to consider living in Essex because of the price of homes and size of the town, but I'm not sure I want to live in a town small enough where everyone knows everyone...been there, done that, and not sure if I want to do that again!

I would be willing to work in a doctors office, but I would really like it to be a specialized office (ob/gyn, dermatology, etc., not just a generalizd dr's office). I currently work at the Stollery, which is Western Canada's specialized childrens hospital, so I work with the serious cases right now. I would hate to lose my specialization to work with less serious kids. I hate to say that, but that's totally how I feel right now.

Thanks for the help so far....any other advice would be greatly appreciated!

[SherylWrites]

It's a very beautiful little town. Good schools, great community spirit. Farming is the base but I think that most of the population have other white collar jobs. I have one nephew with many special needs and he got a wonderful education. Catholic and public schools. My nieces are now in post secondary, one at U of W and the other at St. Clair College.
It's close to Leamington and far enough away from Windsor that you can forget that you live near there. I went to U of W and there's a reason they call it the armpit of Ontario. You couldn't pay me to live there again.
My other sister lives in Amherstburg, also a very beautiful little community. She lived in Windsor with her husband for many years and hated every single one of them. Her family is just thriving in Amherstburg and it as well has great community spirit.
There is a fab mall in Windsor (Devonshire Mall), a brand new super walmart in Amherstburg. You're close to grocery stores and essentials living in Essex and Amherstburg but not in the big city.
Tons of new subdivisions in Essex as well. Amherstburg is growing quite a bit as well.

[Ham Ham]

Will the company fly you folks in to have a look around at some pointe.
Let you look around and get a feel for he place.

It is a very small city. Can't recommend any areas as I've only visited a couple of times.

Perhaps a local Disner could recommend some neighbourhoods in the city that are nice to live in.
Since Windsor is so smal why have a long commute if you can avoid it.

I too might find a small town, like Essex, a little too small. Sure you pay less for your house but pay $300 a month in fuel not to mention depreciation cost to the car.

[MoserFamily]

I'm originally from Windsor and moved about 10 years ago (has it already been that long)? I don't know if I'd consider Windsor all that "small town". It is, but it isn't. With Detroit right across the border, you live in a small town, but have all the amenities of a big city at your finger tips. Growing up, I saw every major concert tour (for example, I saw Prince's Purple Rain tour in grade 4!), went cross-border shopping all the time (selection is awesome and you'll get to know your way to ever major mall), and access to Detroit airport, which is probably the one thing I really miss living in Ottawa. Detroit is the hub for Northwest, so you can get some pretty good deals. In fact, we'll be going to Las Vegas this summer and driving down to Windsor to drop our daughter off with her grandparents in Windsor. We're flying out of Detroit and the flight is less than half of what we paid when we went out of Ottawa last year!

If you want some names of suburbs, so you're still in town, we lived in Forest Glade, which was pretty good when I was growing up. Lots of schools, lots of parks, etc. My husband grew up in south Windsor, which is also pretty good and I think is currently turning over to younger families. If you want a fancier neighbourhood, you can move in close to my parents in Southwood Lakes. The houses there are huge! I'd stay away from downtown or the west end, particularly the areas around the university and just west of the bridge. Also, a previous poster mentioned Amherstburg. I used to work out in Amherstburg and thought it was very lovely. A small riverside town that's pretty close to Windsor. Lasalle is also nice. Not as quaint as Amherstburg, but closer to town.

For work, would you consider working in Detroit? I'm not sure of the nursing situation now, but I thought growing up that a lot of nurses lived in Windsor and worked in Detroit. One of my best friends' mothers did. Not sure if that's appealing or not.

While I don't think I would choose to move back to Windsor if I didn't have to, I think there are much worse places to have to move to. There are definite perks that I miss. I hope that helps.

Sandi

[Ham Ham]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighbourhoods_of_Windsor,_Ontario

[wacampbell]

Hi..

I just moved to LaSalle a year ago from Michigan (I married a Canadian..) and really quiet enjoy it. I am 10 minutes from the Bridge to the US..20 minutes from the nearest mall, but still have the small town feel. My brother in law lives in St. Albert which is what I think LaSalle is like. They have a great public school and an incredible soccer league here..

Essex is nice, but very rural.. it is definately a small town..

If you have any questions feel free to ask me.. wconeill at sympatico dot ca

[ChisJo]

Thanks everyone so far for all the responses and help. I have many doubts that this is the best idea for a move, and I worry about it every day! My husbands job depends on unions - and if the factories and plants are closing or many lay - offs are happening, I don't foresee this being a great move. I have so many fears and it sickens me, literally. I have been fighting this sense of dread for days now, and it seems to be taking over every part of my body.

I worry for many reasons, especially about work. I have to look into working in the states...but i worry about that too.

Someone mentioned to me about the smog/pollution there (thanks for the PM, by the way) and I am now worried about that too. I am a runner, training very hard for a marathon, and I don't want to be running in a city that leaves me breathless when I'm running (I have enough problems with that already!).

I have not commited to this 100%, but my husband already has. I wish I could say that I would follow him wherever life takes us, but I'm really contemplating staying here and letting him go on his own, keeping our house in Edmonton, and if things fail, then he can come back. Or, letting him set up shop there, and if things succeed, than I'll meet him there. I am sickened at this whole move....we were really excited when we thought it was going to be Toronto....we were SO excited, and then when they told us Windsor, my heart just kind of sank. Since he had already commited to Toronto, he felt obligated to commit to Windsor. I don't understand the basis for the location, the company just stated that the opportunity is there....although, I don't see how.

At this point, I am so confused, but want the truth about what to expect. I don't want to relocate my life if it means that we are going to fail (who does???). I guess I just need to really think about this decision.

Thanks again everyone....I appreciate the help so far!

Jo

[drag n' fly]

I have no recommendations because I live in Calgary. However how does your dh feel about this change? Honestly if you are this concerned I would seriously consider suggesting dh begin looking for another job. You are both well educated, you have choices, your gut instinct is telling you something. You might want to listen to it:)

[ChisJo]

We have discussed the change in careers - he just thinks that this is a great opportunity. I keep telling him my gut and heart are both saying something else - and I want to listen to these. He keeps getting confirmation from the company that they won't let him falter....but, I asked if they actually hired a demographic specialist to determine the economy in Windsor, and of course, they didn't. So, that gets me wondering if this is a great idea....honestly, would you open a business (which is essentially what we are doing for the company) if it's bound to fail? At least, from the research you have been doing? And, everytime I bring up something negative, he gets upset, saying his company has just as much to lose as he does. But, this is the thing....we are responsible for the running of the office - my husband is literally responsible for paying the support staff, the bills, etc., as this is going to be HIS office. The company is the one who does all the research for the opening of the office. We don't get a say - not a good system, IMHO. His company also will not pay for the move. We are moving ACROSS the country for them, yet they won't pay the move which could essentially be over $10,000. So many things are telling me not to go. But, if Windsor could be lucrative for us, I am ok with going....but from what I've read and researched, it just doesn't seem like a great opportunity. And, it's nice to hear the honest truth from others who live there.

Anyways, sorry for the rants guys, I just can't shake this unhealthy feeling about moving.

[Ham Ham]

Does the company your DH works for want him to move or has he offered. Odd that they won't pay for. That should send up a red flag right there. I guess if they are too cheap to pay for the move they won't fly you in to have a look around.

[drag n' fly]

You are in the middle of making a life altering move. That is not ranting.:) IMO any company that will not pay for the move is a company not worth working for. The reality is we are headed into a recession. Gas and oil and food are up, real estate is down. The first signs of a softening of the economy. Great deal the employer is getting. Dh does all the work, absorbs all the expense and the stress. Not exactly a good opportunity. The company has nothing to lose they can write off their losses you cannot. Acknowledging how each other feels is the first step. No opportunity is worthwhile if the spouse will always feel a resentment. Personally even if they won't pay for it I think you should fly down, have a look around and then make an informed decision. I would refuse to accept until you are completely informed. Eg: What else have they not told you. Like HamHam said...BIG RED FLAG!

[Saratoga Souris]

I have happily lived in Windsor most of my life (44 years)!

Just last Saturday, the Publisher of The Windsor Star (our local paper) did a great "summary" of what Windsor is all about.

In it, he mentions all the great things here..... if you would like PM me your address and I would be happy to send it to you. Windsor often gets a "bad rap" but it is a great place to live!

PM me if you have more questions

[Saratoga Souris]

Also..... I am one of the track coaches at the University of Windsor.
I can get you hooked up with runners.... there are lots here.....
Canadian Olympic Trials for track and field are here in July.
Also, don't forget the Detroit Free Press International Marathon runs through Windsor and Detroit.

As for your job.... there is a HUGE demand for nurses in the Detroit area. There are some really "high tech" hospitals there; after all metro Detroit has population of over 4 million. With a Canadian nursing degree, you WILL have a lot of options. I live in Walkerville which is very close to the river (and Detroit), many of my neighbours make the commute daily. I am not saying that you will have to work in Detroit but it is an option!

[chrisann]

It's true, the economy isn't the best here(I don't think it is anywhere right now):sad1: However, I will give you some perks to living in Windsor. Seeing as you love WDW or even travelling anywhere, it is much cheaper to fly from detroit airport than canadian airlines(you can be at the airport in about an hour). Our riverfront is beautiful and I believe there's a path from the middle of the city right to the Ambassador bridge right along the riverfront. The fireworks we have every June with detroit are out of this world( I prefer the ones at WDW, but I'm a little biased!!):love: Being so close to the border, we realy do get the best of both worlds when it comes to entertainment and shopping(especially with the dollar). I don't mind Windsor, it's not huge like Toronto but not a little town either. Although essex is a nice town, I don't know that you'd enjoy living there. It's about 20 min form Windsor, and there's not much to do. If you do plan on commutting to detroit (which is a great idea, they have some amazing hospitals), it would add another 20-30 min to your commute. It's definately a big decision, good luck!!

[Ham Ham]

It's true, the economy isn't the best here(I don't think it is anywhere right now):sad1: However, I will give you some perks to living in Windsor. Seeing as you love WDW or even travelling anywhere, it is much cheaper to fly from detroit airport than canadian airlines(you can be at the airport in about an hour). Our riverfront is beautiful and I believe there's a path from the middle of the city right to the Ambassador bridge right along the riverfront. The fireworks we have every June with detroit are out of this world( I prefer the ones at WDW, but I'm a little biased!!):love: Being so close to the border, we realy do get the best of both worlds when it comes to entertainment and shopping(especially with the dollar). I don't mind Windsor, it's not huge like Toronto but not a little town either. Although essex is a nice town, I don't know that you'd enjoy living there. It's about 20 min form Windsor, and there's not much to do. If you do plan on commutting to detroit (which is a great idea, they have some amazing hospitals), it would add another 20-30 min to your commute. It's definately a big decision, good luck!!

Any chance for a link to the article?

[chrisann]

Any chance for a link to the article?

I'm sorry, which article are you referring to?

[Ham Ham]

I have happily lived in Windsor most of my life (44 years)!

Just last Saturday, the Publisher of The Windsor Star (our local paper) did a great "summary" of what Windsor is all about.

In it, he mentions all the great things here..... if you would like PM me your address and I would be happy to send it to you. Windsor often gets a "bad rap" but it is a great place to live!

PM me if you have more questions
Ooops quoted the wrong post.

Looking for link to article mentioned in above post.

[Saratoga Souris]

I cannot find a link to the article that I previously mentioned. It was in the Saturday Star but came as a separate piece of paper.

[TG4AKV]

I'm also from Windsor. You will have many job opportunities as a nurse so finding employment need not be a concern. In addition, it is a buyer's market right now in terms of housing. Currently, there are many beautiful homes on the market at very reasonable prices. Due to the economic downturn, a number of families are moving west to places like Calgary which is apparently booming. Good luck.

[drag n' fly]

I'm also from Windsor. You will have many job opportunities as a nurse so finding employment need not be a concern. In addition, it is a buyer's market right now in terms of housing. Currently, there are many beautiful homes on the market at very reasonable prices. Due to the economic downturn, a number of families are moving west to places like Calgary which is apparently booming. Good luck.


Well for those of you that already left for Calgary the boom is officially over. Turn around and go home cuz it isn't any better here:confused3

[ChisJo]

Well for those of you that already left for Calgary the boom is officially over. Turn around and go home cuz it isn't any better here:confused3

Agree - it was booming in Edmonton for the longest time and now it has come to a screeching halt. In a matter of 16 months, it went from an equal housing market, to a sellers market, now a buyers market. So many houses on the market....what a crazy year for real estate!

As for all the responses....all I can say is I'm more confused now than ever! I thank everyone for their PM's and the advice on these boards. I have some major things to contemplate. I have extreme concerns - mostly with the company not paying for the move, which, thanks to a special someone on these boards for the PM, could be well into the $20,000's. If the company paid for the move, and paid for us to go down there and take a look, I think I would be far more comfortable with the decision. But, with the financial responsibility of the move and the opening of the office, I don't feel very comfortable at all!

I have doubts and the feeling in my gut, heart, and head are all saying run the other way, but my husband really wants to go, so I have to take his feelings into account. I told him today I wanted to sit with the managers and talk to them about my concerns, and until I get to do that, the answer on my part is no. I only think that is fair. I need to provide them with what I believe will be some scholarly-like information on the economy down there and how it will affect his business. I don't want to go in there empty handed - I want to be prepared to fight the fight - and if they come back with information that sounds reasonable, then my husband and me can talk. At this point, my decision is no...we are not going....but, I still have to keep those lines of communication open.

Thanks again....and I appreciate so much my DIS home and the family!

[kg66]

How are you doing tonight with your gut feeling? I hope we here at The Dis are able to help you and answer some of your questions. Let me speak to you as someone who lives in Essex, it's a great town!! I've lived here for 15 years and love it. It really has most of what you'll need on a day to day basis. And almost everyone works or travels to the city for some reason or another that you can pick up what you need that Essex doesn't have.
I really don't see tractors driving down the streets as the OP stated:rotfl: but you will see farmers farming their fields. There are newer sub divisions all over town. Not sure of the exact population now, but a few years ago it was 6000. We're 20 minutes from Windsor and just a few extra minutes more to the US border. Windsor Regional Hospital in Windsor has the city's only Paediatric Unit. There are several paediatricians in Windsor. There is a Sick Children's Hospital in Detroit just minutes from the border. Not sure what it entails to write your State boards to work over there. Years ago when I was in Nursing, you had to write an English equivalency exam, and then your state boards.
Yes, it's true there is a lot of unrest in Windsor with the Auto Industry. But the unions are fighting hard to save their members jobs, even if they have to relocate them. I'm not sure what your husbands business entails, but there is some concern with most jobs right now anyway. Hopefully this helps.
Housing in Essex, I hope I get this right, $200-$500,000 in the newer subdivisions. I think these homes would be in the 2000-5000 sq.ft.I hope that's right. I'll check for sure with DH tomorrow.
You can PM me if you need to !
Kathy

[Jaymie]

I lived in Windsor all my life and moved to Essex 7 years ago when I got married. I resisted moving to Essex, wanted nothing to do with it and I can honestly say I love it here. I would never move back to Windsor. I can honestly say that I do not know everyone in Essex, nor do they know me, not even close. Essex has everything you need for day to day life, several grocery stores, Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, 2 Tim Hortons, McD's. I usually have to go Windsor a couple times a week and it's only a 20 minute drive. The commute isn't that bad. I used to work in Windsor. Traffic in Windsor is a mess right now. They are doing some major construction on one of the main roads and it's backing everything up everywhere else. But I'm sure the traffic in Windsor and surrounding areas is still much much better than Toronto. I couldn't imagine a 60 commute to work each way, everyday. :scared1:

You can also live in Tecumseh, it's only a few minutes from Windsor as is Lasalle and both areas have some really nice housing options. Windsor might not be the best place to live. A friend of mine was a nurse at Henry Ford hospital in Detroit and now she works at the NICU at Windsor Regional Hospital. I don't think you should worry too much about working at Tim Hortons.

If you have any questions about Essex or Windsor, just ask away.

[Saratoga Souris]

Housing in Essex, I hope I get this right, $200-$500,000 in the newer subdivisions. I think these homes would be in the 2000-5000 sq.ft.I hope that's right. I'll check for sure with DH tomorrow.

This seems really HIGH to me... I am a teacher and I don't know anyone who paid over $300,000 for their house. Most of my co-workers who have new homes paid in the $225,000 range for BIG, NEW houses.

Many paid less than $200,000. Your best bet would be to look on the MLS site and see what is out there. If you avoid the "new" in LaSalle or Lakeshore, (slightly "used" homes are a good deal), you can do very well in the City of Windsor.

[maggieb9975]

I have extreme concerns - mostly with the company not paying for the move, which, thanks to a special someone on these boards for the PM, could be well into the $20,000's. If the company paid for the move, and paid for us to go down there and take a look, I think I would be far more comfortable with the decision. But, with the financial responsibility of the move and the opening of the office, I don't feel very comfortable at all!

I have doubts and the feeling in my gut, heart, and head are all saying run the other way, but my husband really wants to go, so I have to take his feelings into account. I told him today I wanted to sit with the managers and talk to them about my concerns, and until I get to do that, the answer on my part is no. I only think that is fair. I need to provide them with what I believe will be some scholarly-like information on the economy down there and how it will affect his business. I don't want to go in there empty handed - I want to be prepared to fight the fight - and if they come back with information that sounds reasonable, then my husband and me can talk. At this point, my decision is no...we are not going....but, I still have to keep those lines of communication open.

Thanks again....and I appreciate so much my DIS home and the family!

Hi there, I too have had to move for work in the past and it can be gut wrenching! But it can also be a great opportunity and I really hope it does work out for you.

Having said that I agree that you do have some valid concerns. I agree that you should sit down with company and discuss...the thought of moving and they NOT pay for move is a BIG concern. Most companies let you go out and check things out at LEAST once plus pay for move...in this economy I don't really see how you can afford to move such a distance! They should pay..... I would be very firm about that. Remind your husband that this is a RE_NEGOTIATION! The original offer has changed as it is no longer TO...negotiate with company...lay your cards on table and say what you will do for them and what they must do for you.

Best of luck...and don't panic yet...discuss your concerns candidly with your husband..as one poster said, maybe , rather than moving, husband could look for new job...OR...as you said, have him rent a place and see how it goes for a while rather than spend all that money moving, selling and buying a house etc.

[CDNmouse]

Windsor is in Essex County. You can live in many communities that surround Windsor.

Your best bet would be to rent a place for 6 months or a year until you find a local community that you like.

Since there are many nice places to live it is much easier to list a few places to avoid:

West Windsor (West of Ambassador Bridge) tends to be a lower income neighbourhood.

Drouillard area from Wyandotte to Tecumseh. Including Cadillac, Albert, and St Luke. (low income, higher crime area)

Downtown Windsor area, homes north of Wyandotte for same reasons as above.

Nice communities include but are not limited to Essex, Tecumseh, LaSalle, and Kingsville (bit of a drive to Windsor).

One other thing, Windsor winters are not nearly as cold as you have in Edmonton. Often we do not get a lot of snow, and when it does snow it melts within a week. People from the north who move here laugh at us when we get 5 cm of snow as we panic and think we have had a major storm. 10 cm of snow, for get about it, we shut the city down. :)

Gary