Questions for Thunder Bay Residents - esp Northern DIsney Girl...

[farrelli]

As per DNG's request, I'm posting this in a separate thread. Anyway...

Howdy,

I saw in another thread that you were quite willing to help someone else who was considering moving to Thunder Bay, so I'm hoping that you could help me. I'm also hoping that you might know of some online communities for TB so I could pick some other people's brains too. Unfortunately, I'm coming up empty when it comes to TB discussions boards.

I'm an American whose wanted to move to Canada all my life, particularly Northern Ontario, and for some reason I've never really considered TB. I've always focused in on Sudbury, have visited it, and have been researching it for a couple years now. I know all about its economics, politics, potholes, etc. Most people think I know more about it than many locals. Of late, however, TB has started to appear to be a hidden gem but I unfortunately know almost nothing about it. Much of how I got to know Sudbury was through studying the two newspapers there and engaging in many, many conversations with the locals on the discussion boards of those papers. TB, however, seems to not have as extensive a news presence and I've yet to find an active discussion forum. If you could fill me in about the good and the bad, I'd appreciate it greatly. I've already done the basic research on demographics, climate, history and the like, but getting a picture of present day to day life is proving elusive.

Myself, I'm 42 and have been a computer systems engineer at Harvard Medical School for about 12 years. I've put some money together and am now looking to settle down in my forever home. What I'm looking for is someplace beautiful where I could land a home overlooking water, forest, or nature of some kind, where the people are inviting, where the summers are cool and the winters are cold, and where I could get another computer gig ideally in education, healthcare, or government. Unfortunately, I'm sure my salary will be cut in half or more, but I'll trade money for lifestyle at this point in my life. I don't need a rocking nightlife, fine dining, or top shelf shopping, just a nice place with good people to hang out with at home or at the rink.

I'm also looking for someplace economically viable. One of the MAJOR problems with Sudbury is that it really doesn't seem to be actively trying to reinvent itself and just assumes that the future will work out somehow, despite the fact that it seems to be nearly going broke whilst having some of the highest property taxes in Canada. TB, however, seems to be pretty well run and actively working to reinvent itself, seemingly with the help of an involved citizenry. Is this accurate? Supposedly you're going for a knowledge-based economy with an emphasis on healthcare and biotechnology (which would be good for me) but I can't seem to figure out how that's going.

Are there any serious problems that I should know about? Growing crime, potholes, crumbling infrastructure, impossible to get a doctor? Do most people like it there? Most people in Sudbury told me to run while I still could but TB residents seem a bit more positive about their community. Are you? If you know Sudbury, do you think you compare favorably?

Well, any help would be appreciated. If I can find a job, I'd like to get my butt in gear in the next few months. My life has been on hold for way too long.


Thanks,
-Chris

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Hi Chris

Well you have definitely done your homework!! You know what you are looking for in a "forever home" ! I believe that as a Thunder Bay NAtive, I am a bit biased when it comes to loving my home town! I think Thunder Bay is an absolutely wonderful place to live and work!!!

Thunder Bay's city slogan is "Superior by nature" and that is a VERY acurate description as Thunder is one of the single most beautiful places I know of in Northern Ontario! I have only visited Sudbury once so I cannot give you an accurate comparison there. Sorry.

The people here ARE extremely friendly and helpful if but a little shy at first! We are a very unique community. The next closest large city to us is 4 hrs south in Duluth, MN. Our nearest Canadian neighbour is Winnipeg which is 8.5 hrs west! I have said many times that anybody who is born and raised here and leaves for whatever reason (school, work, etc) will ALWAYS return and those who choose to come and live here for any reason and stay for more than 5 years will always carry a piece of Thunder BAy in their hearts!

I know that our economy has struggled a bit in the past but I believe it is on an upward swing right now and will continue to improve over the next few years. We have a brand new mayor who is very keen on improving the city in many ways and there are a lot of infrustructure and technology improvements being done even now! A new water front project, new court house, new public transportation systems, highway improvements etc!

Thunder Bay is beautiful in every season but I think it is just breathtaking in winter! If you like to do any outdoor winter sports Thunder Bay is the best place to do that! Skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, etc are all very popular here! Our trail system in the summer is fantastic for running, walkingg and cycling! MAny of our friends are very much into hunting and fishing and they say that Thunder Bay and surrounding area have the best in the world! In fact many hunters and fisherman from the Northen states come up into the area to do their stuff!

It can be somewhat difficult to get a doctor but there are systems in place in order to help people acquire one! There are also many walk in clinics and nurse practitioner clinics available as well. Our roads are constantly being improved and we have a brand new hospital (7yrs old) which is state of the art!

As for me I am a 34 yr old stay at home mom who is married to a Computer IT genius who is in the process of starting his own computer technology business! I was educated at the local college and hold 2 diplomas in social services and early childhood education. Our standard of living is such that we can afford for me to stay at home with our children. My husbands counterparts in Ottawa and Toronto are not as fortunate! They earn pretty much the same salary but their cost of living is sooo much higher!

If you can afford the time and money I would say just come check it out!! I think that in order to make an unbiased decision you should definitely visit the places you are considering! Thunder Bay would be happy to have you! You sound like you would be a welcome addition to our fair city!

Kimberly

 

[farrelli]

Thanks for the detailed reply. Clearly, you're still as pumped about your hometown as the last post I found by you on the subject!

Your third paragraph kind of outlines what I find scary about TB, the fact that it's so remote. I've always wanted to live someplace "kind of" remote, but you guys are a long way away from anything. In Sudbury, I could jump into my car and be in TO in 4-5 hours tops (and I've done it). North Bay or even Timmins doesn't seem as cut off to me. First among my concerns is medical facilities. So far so good, but I'm bound to get cancer someday. Everyone in my family does. To be that far away from high end cancer care would take some getting used to. This will probably sound weird, but I'd also be concerned about grocery shopping. I'm a vegetarian, and though that makes people in Sudbury look at me strangely, at least some of the stores carry that kind of thing. Harvey's (which you don't seem to have) also offers veggie burgers. I'd hope that A&W (which you do seem to have) offers veggie fare up there just like everywhere else. Obviously I wouldn't move to TB without visiting first and checking everything out, but I assume that an employer would want to me to come up for an interview first anyhow. I can't imagine that I wouldn't like it. Not only does it have all the nature I've craving, I've never met a Canadian city I didn't like. I grew up on the border and spend about a month a year there for business (Kitchener/Waterloo) and I've never seen anyplace that I've hated. Some I like more than others, and I have a particular penchant for what I've seen of Northern Ontario, so I can't imagine that I'd somehow be turned off by TB. What I love most about Northern Ontario is that it reminds me of the less Americanized version of Canada that I grew up admiring where people are less about themselves and more about others. From what I've seen, TB doesn't shy away from those principles. I mean, I think you guys are even pretty solidly NDP supporters. It doesn't get more "love thy neighbor" than that.

Indeed, the lower cost of living is one of the things that I find so attractive about TB. Sudbury used to have one too but about four years ago the resource boom paid out a significant "nickel bonus" to all of the miners and suddenly everyone was making six figures for a couple years there - and they spent it. In short order housing prices about doubled. I plan to spend up to about $400K on a house but in Sudbury that'll buy you something OK but needing a reno to bring it out of the 80's, but in TB that still seems to buy you something pretty nice. Moreover, though there is a housing bubble underway in Canada (even the banks will tell you that things are at least 20% overvalued on average), I think that when it pops, TB will feel a correction, but far less of one than Sudbury or most other cities in Canada. Wherever I move, I plan to rent initially, not only to get a better understanding of the layout of things before I buy but because, seeing that I plan to pay in cash, if rates continue to go up and loans become harder to get, cash should become king again and I'll be able to get a better deal. Another superior aspect of TB is that this shaking out process of the market will take significantly less time than in most places so I'll be able to buy (or build!) perhaps within a year. Also, TB should be able to weather any correction pretty well given your lower than average realty inflation rate, so I think the town has a more stable economic future, at least in this respect. I lived through the crash down here and don't want to get bitten by it up there. Oh, and you're totally right, salaries seem to be about the same as many other places with MUCH higher costs of living.

Here are some random questions for you, if you don't mind:

1) Do you know if the rental market is tight? In Sudbury there's less than 1% availability, which makes getting a place very hard.

2) Supposedly sometimes in Sudbury you can see the northern lights. You're further north, so can you see them sometimes too? Seeing them is one of the things I want most in life.

3) Do you know of any online communities where TB people congregate? I find a lot of old threads by people here and there but nowhere where folks gather and talk about all manner of subjects. Actually, the fact that TB doesn't really seem to have a daily paper with online discussion boards kind of concerns me.

4) Odd question, but would you recommend a high quality snow thrower for TB? You guys get less snow than Sudbury but I don't know if I'd still need a good one. Down here I can get a $1,500 CDN snow thrower for $1,000 USD (and with only 5% tax), so I want to get one here before I move. And this weekend they even might be on sale given the holiday and the fact that many places are clearing out their winter goods.

5) Is the warm weather of late very unusual for TB? Statistically it is, but lot of places are changing these days. Everyplace is warmer, but 0 degrees seems like it'd be a heat wave in TB. Has it been that way for the last few years come Febuary?

6) Does TB have a major social gathering place? From my experience, many smaller towns really gather at the rink if they have a Junior A team, but TB doesn't. Meeting people has always been difficult for me (I have a touch of Asperger's) so if the people there are "shy" as you say, and there's no big and reliable place to meet them, that might be tough.

Well, gotta go. Thanks for helping me out. It seems like you'v got a great life going. I'm quite jealous.


Cheers,
-Chris

 

[b-1]

thunder bay has a superstore which stocks many food options including organic.

the drive to winnipeg is pleasant and scenic and an easy drive really.

good luck on your adventure.

 

[greenclan67]

Thanks for the detailed reply. Clearly, you're still as pumped about your hometown as the last post I found by you on the subject!

Your third paragraph kind of outlines what I find scary about TB, the fact that it's so remote. I've always wanted to live someplace "kind of" remote, but you guys are a long way away from anything. In Sudbury, I could jump into my car and be in TO in 4-5 hours tops (and I've done it). North Bay or even Timmins doesn't seem as cut off to me. First among my concerns is medical facilities. So far so good, but I'm bound to get cancer someday. Everyone in my family does. To be that far away from high end cancer care would take some getting used to. This will probably sound weird, but I'd also be concerned about grocery shopping. I'm a vegetarian, and though that makes people in Sudbury look at me strangely, at least some of the stores carry that kind of thing. Harvey's (which you don't seem to have) also offers veggie burgers. I'd hope that A&W (which you do seem to have) offers veggie fare up there just like everywhere else. Obviously I wouldn't move to TB without visiting first and checking everything out, but I assume that an employer would want to me to come up for an interview first anyhow. I can't imagine that I wouldn't like it. Not only does it have all the nature I've craving, I've never met a Canadian city I didn't like. I grew up on the border and spend about a month a year there for business (Kitchener/Waterloo) and I've never seen anyplace that I've hated. Some I like more than others, and I have a particular penchant for what I've seen of Northern Ontario, so I can't imagine that I'd somehow be turned off by TB. What I love most about Northern Ontario is that it reminds me of the less Americanized version of Canada that I grew up admiring where people are less about themselves and more about others. From what I've seen, TB doesn't shy away from those principles. I mean, I think you guys are even pretty solidly NDP supporters. It doesn't get more "love thy neighbor" than that.

Indeed, the lower cost of living is one of the things that I find so attractive about TB. Sudbury used to have one too but about four years ago the resource boom paid out a significant "nickel bonus" to all of the miners and suddenly everyone was making six figures for a couple years there - and they spent it. In short order housing prices about doubled. I plan to spend up to about $400K on a house but in Sudbury that'll buy you something OK but needing a reno to bring it out of the 80's, but in TB that still seems to buy you something pretty nice. Moreover, though there is a housing bubble underway in Canada (even the banks will tell you that things are at least 20% overvalued on average), I think that when it pops, TB will feel a correction, but far less of one than Sudbury or most other cities in Canada. Wherever I move, I plan to rent initially, not only to get a better understanding of the layout of things before I buy but because, seeing that I plan to pay in cash, if rates continue to go up and loans become harder to get, cash should become king again and I'll be able to get a better deal. Another superior aspect of TB is that this shaking out process of the market will take significantly less time than in most places so I'll be able to buy (or build!) perhaps within a year. Also, TB should be able to weather any correction pretty well given your lower than average realty inflation rate, so I think the town has a more stable economic future, at least in this respect. I lived through the crash down here and don't want to get bitten by it up there. Oh, and you're totally right, salaries seem to be about the same as many other places with MUCH higher costs of living.

Here are some random questions for you, if you don't mind:

1) Do you know if the rental market is tight? In Sudbury there's less than 1% availability, which makes getting a place very hard.

2) Supposedly sometimes in Sudbury you can see the northern lights. You're further north, so can you see them sometimes too? Seeing them is one of the things I want most in life.

3) Do you know of any online communities where TB people congregate? I find a lot of old threads by people here and there but nowhere where folks gather and talk about all manner of subjects. Actually, the fact that TB doesn't really seem to have a daily paper with online discussion boards kind of concerns me.

4) Odd question, but would you recommend a high quality snow thrower for TB? You guys get less snow than Sudbury but I don't know if I'd still need a good one. Down here I can get a $1,500 CDN snow thrower for $1,000 USD (and with only 5% tax), so I want to get one here before I move. And this weekend they even might be on sale given the holiday and the fact that many places are clearing out their winter goods.

5) Is the warm weather of late very unusual for TB? Statistically it is, but lot of places are changing these days. Everyplace is warmer, but 0 degrees seems like it'd be a heat wave in TB. Has it been that way for the last few years come Febuary?

6) Does TB have a major social gathering place? From my experience, many smaller towns really gather at the rink if they have a Junior A team, but TB doesn't. Meeting people has always been difficult for me (I have a touch of Asperger's) so if the people there are "shy" as you say, and there's no big and reliable place to meet them, that might be tough.

Well, gotta go. Thanks for helping me out. It seems like you'v got a great life going. I'm quite jealous.


Cheers,
-Chris

Hi Chris, All of your above questions made me think I would like to add looking at Espanola or Manitoulin Island! If you are looking for something a little more remote, the Island is great, snowmobiling, ice fishing, boating, the locals are wonderful people and would give you the shirt off their back! From the Island a half hour away is Espanola, and it has a nice arena, swimming pool, and fitness centre. Sudbury is about an hour and a half away from the Island, my hubby used to commute it to Sudbury everyday for 4 years, back and forth, now he is in Espanola. The cost of living, is far cheaper in Espo and the Island. You can get northern ontario travel grants for any medical reason, that you have to go to sudbury for.
We didn't move to Sudbury when my husband worked there, because we think it is "a hole" as my hubby puts it. It is expensive, dirty and just a spread out city. We love our life on the Island, where your kids can play at the park and know they are safe, you know all their friends, all the parents, and we actually have a Junior hockey team, albeit not a great one, but you will get a whole lot of people at the arena on Friday nights watching "the game"
I am 38 years old, and have 2 young girls, I do daycare from my home for mostly teachers at the public school. I live right next door to the school, and have a very large yard for the kids pool and swing sets, sand boxes and so on! Nothing like summer cook outs on the back deck, while the kids are swimming in the pool. We love our life here, and wouldn't trade it for the world! It is like being on vacations 12 months of the year!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Hi Again Chris

Wow those are some GREAT questions! I will do my best to answer them for you!

1) Rental MArket - this I am NOT sure about because we have owned our home for more than 10 yrs. I can and will find out for you tho...

2) Northern Lights - If you had property a bit outside of the city away from the city lights you would definitely be able to see the Northern Lights when they are around!! If you plan on spending 4ook on a home you could pretty much choose whereever you wanted to live!!! We have always lived inside the city limits but I have been fortunate enough to see the Aurora Borealis 2x in my life - it is absolutely breathtaking!

3)Forums - I am not familiar with any online forums for Thunder Bay but that doesn't mean they don't exist! I shall try to find out!

4)Snowblower - Again if you plan to have property of any size here in Thunder BAy you would be wise to have a snowblower! Our property is fairly small 63x117 and we own (and use!!!) a snowblower! Often the snow can get quite heavy and it is not advisable to attempt to shovel that kind!!! I would say my hubby uses our snowblower at least 5-10x a winter!

5)Weather - Last year was a freaky year weather wise! It was because of El Nino that we had such an early spring! That was the first time in my life that I remember being able to ride bikes over our schools March Break (usually the 2nd/3rd week in MArch) yesterday and today have been unseaonably warm - but the temperatures are expected to drop back down to normal starting tomorrow! It doesn't happen too oftetn that we have a couple of nice days in the middle of February like that but when it does happen Thunder Bay is happy! Winter in these parts gets REALLY long sometimes!!! We like to have a little break now and then!

6) Places to meet - Thunder Bay LOVES its sports teams!!! We have our Thunderwolves Teams at Lakehead University!!! The hockey Team plays at Fort William Gardens which is in the south downtown core and the Mens and Womens BAsketball teams play at the University "Hanger" which is a recently built sports complex on the University property! My family is season ticket holders of the ThunderWolves BAsket ball Teams! Our MEns team is #1 right now!!!

Also, we have our Thunder Bay Community Auditorium which houses the facilities for concerts, shows and our local symphony!

There are also many wonderful restaurants which would be able to cater to your vegetarian preferences! We have many of the big name chain places as well as many locally owned and operated restaurants!! Many of the ones that we frequent definitely have a vegetarian option!

As another poster said we do have lots of options for groceries! There is a Real Canadian Superstore, Safeway, Metro, and many independent grocers as well!

I hope that I have answered your questions all right! Please feel free to ask as many as you need to!

Kim

 

[farrelli]

I'll write more later but I just wanted to thank everyone for their replies. I'm still considering Sudbury (and I have thought about Espanola or Manitoulin, I'll comment more about that later as well) but I think that TB has become attractive enough to at least apply for a position that I saw with city government. I'm not exactly perfect for the job, but it's something and we'll see if I can get any interest. Strangely, the same open position exists with the Sudbury city government. Writing up my cover letters has taken up my time and unfortunately I didn't have time to reply much to this thread today.

I really wish that the local universities and hospitals had some IT openings, and their HR people said that they routinely do but that for some reason there's a dry spell of late. Lucky me.

 

[cey]

Hi Chris,

As I grew up in the Sudbury District and still own cottage property on Wanapitae lake, I thought I would give you a few hints about the area. As you work in the IT industry, I would not rule out applying for a job at the Taxation Centre or Cambrian College or Laurentian University. They are all major players (beside the mining industry) in Sudbury.
You might consider living in one of the smaller towns, such as Nickel Centre, Capreol, Garson, and Hanmer which now make up the Greater Sudbury District. Most of them have community centres, curling rinks, cross country ski trails etc. and housing and apartment rental costs will be lower. Smaller communities seem to offer more opportunity for meeting people and becoming involved in community activities. As for Sudbury weather, last summer was Outstanding! For the first time in the 50 odd year, I have been at the cottage, there were very few mosquitoes and blackflies. The locals seem to think it had to do with the small amount of snow they received in 2010. This year they are also experiencing low to moderate amounts of snow so far. I now live in Kingston close to the NY state border and my BFF from Sudbury tells me that we have more snow than they do! Global Warming appears to be affecting Northern Ontario's climate in a positive way!

Good Luck with your Northern Experience!

C.

 

[Northern_Julie]

Wow if you are not set on TB your skill set and wish list describe Yellowknife. Further west but worth looking at. We are right in the aurora viewing area and tons of nature to be discovered. Salaries are competitive (cost of living is high thoug) and because of shortages in specialized fields like education and medicine relovation often paid for. Just a thought it isn't a place for everyone but reading your post made me want to throw it out there

 

[farrelli]

Well thank you everyone (so far) who has chimed in. It's more of a response than I imagined. Turns out that Disney is where I've gotten the most info about all this. Who knew? I'm sorry that my responses yesterday and today area bit abbreviated, but this looking to get a new job, decide on location, and investigation of all the things I want to buy before I move (new bed, car, snowblower, furniture, etc.) is even more time consuming than you might think it would be. Thus far in my life I've been living in a small condo, saving every penny for the day when I could finally choose my forever home, and assuming that I can find a job somewhere, the day is nearly here. So now I've got to do all the things that most people my age (who don't live in big, very expensive cities) have already done and the learning curve is steep.

At present, I'm very much considering TB. Salaries seem competitive with Sudbury and the cost of living seems to be less. It also seems to be better run and less scarred by industry. The geography and flora seem to be better too, though I'm totally going by photos on the net. I really wish that I knew more about it's economic profile - and rental market. The fact that I can't find discussion forums for it and that it doesn't have a regular newspaper whose archives I could scour, I find MASSIVELY frustrating. I'm the kind of guy who hates going to a restaurant unless I've had the chance to look through the menu online ahead of time and make an informed choice about what I want to eat. Seriously. So TB's informational dearth is distressing to me. Right now though, I'm to the point where I'm at least researching jobs in TB, which is again difficult given that it's hard to find out who the major employers are due to the lack of easy info. I wrote the mayor, who wrote me back immediately (a very good sign) who told me that he'd put me in touch with the Northwestern Ontario recruitment department, but so far nothing has happened.

I'm open to Sudbury, TB, North Bay, or even Timmins. Getting a suitable job is key though. Damn these immigration laws! Canada has really clamped down on immigration and it's very hard to get in unless you've got a relative - I don't. And up until now, I would have qualified as a "skilled worker" for immigration purposes, but Canada has at least temporarily pulled computer skills from that category. Fortunately, I'm an American and under NAFTA I can get in on a three year temporary permit for computer gigs and then apply for permanent residency after I'm in the country. However, the problem is that most companies won't even look at foreigners because they don't understand the immigration laws. They don't know that I'm virtually guaranteed an immediate pass into the country if they make me a job offer and assume that I'm in the same boat as a non-NAFTA person where there's months and months of delays, paperwork, filing fees, and such. So basically, getting my foot in the door will be difficult. Moreover, whoever I work for basically has me at a disadvantage for the first two years as it would be difficult to change employers given my non-resident status. So, I'm definitely keeping my mind open to location so long as it looks appealing, and TB does. And actually, I'd LOVE to get out of the computer biz, and after saving so long, I can now afford it, but unfortunately my getting into Canada depends on those skills. Maybe one day though.

Cey, I have hit up Cambrian and Laurentian already but the Tax Centre is a good tip. Thanks. Does anyone know what the Ontario provincial offices might be called in Sudbury or TB? The Province of Ontario recently signed a big contract with Canada's largest software company, OpenText, to use their flagship product, Livelink (Content Server) as their ECM solution. As it happens, I'm an expert with that product. I'm certified and have about $75K worth of training on it (which is more than many people spend on university). If I wanted to live in Southern Ontario, I'd be golden because OT has already made some approaches toward me and I'm sure that they'd pay for all my moving and immigration costs. Too bad that they're a pretty bad employer and that I don't want to live there. In any event, if Ontario could use a Livelink admin in the North, I'd be their guy, but finding out who needs what and where is baffling.

Greenclan67, when I first started researching Sudbury I accidentally looked at Espanola, and it does look wonderful. To this day you can get a pretty great place for under $400K. I wouldn't want to commute to Sudbury though and I think that finding a computer gig up there would be even harder than I'm finding it elsewhere.

Northern_Julie, you know what, I've never really considered Yellowknife but I've always played with the idea. As you said, it does fit many of my desires, especially the Northern lights and cold climate. It would be quite the adventure! Talk about remote though! I'd feel like a gold rush pioneer or something, which certainly has an appeal. (And it was looking pretty sweet on the Mercer Report this week.) It also probably fits my personality where people aren't too buttoned down and are a bit more close to the ground (perhaps strange coming from a guy who works at Harvard and has an education in philosophy). I like things with rough edges (which is one of the reasons I prefer Northern over Southern Ontario). I guess I would seriously consider it if a great job offer came out of the blue but right now I'm more focusing on Northern Ontario. Perhaps if they don't come through for me, I will start more seriously considering the region. I think you guys have some oil companies up there, don't you? Or are you just diamonds? I know that a lot of oil companies use the product, Livelink, with which I'm so familiar, so maybe someday... Too bad I totally disagree with the politics of Alberta because they (the oil companies) are always looking for Livelink people. I could get a great job there in a heartbeat too, and it's a beautiful area. Seems that I'm cursed with a very expensive area of expertise that's primarily used in places that I don't want to live.

Well, anyway, I've got to go for today. I've got a lot of running around to do tomorrow. Man, there is SO MUCH work to do to get ready for things just in case someone does give me an offer in the next two or three months! Criminy, for immigration purposes alone, I have to catalog EVERY SINGLE ITEM I own and associate a cash value. Can you imagine listing every item in your household? Counting every sock? Listing every CD and DVD? Oh, just so much work!

 

[JackThronson]

Really, Your post are awesome...

cookinggames2play.com

 

[trish4bruce]

Hi Chris,
Another Thunder Bay person chiming in. I have lived in Thunder Bay all my 35 years and have worked at Lakehead University for the last 10 years. Although Thunder bay's job market has seen a decrease it has been in the area of forestry and pulp and paper mills which, historically were the bread and butter of Thunder Bay. The emerging sector that is increasing rapidly in Thunder Bay is in the area of medical research. Companies such as Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute (TBRRI) as well as Mitomics are leading the way in medical research. We have a excellent Cancer Care facility called the Northwester Ontario Cancer Care Center. We are 3.5 hours from Duluth MN and 6 hours to Minneapolis.
I will say that housing here is in demand and houses in the three hundred thousand range go quickly. It may sound like you would enjoy living on Lake Superior and there are some beautiful areas you could consider.
If you are an outdoors person then Northern Ontario is a great place to live.
Although are winter can be cold and summers somewhat unpredicatable, we do not normally experience extreme weather.

 

[farrelli]

Thanks for the reply Trish. I've already hit up Lakehead but they don't have any openings right now. I've also hit up your hospital which, I believe, houses the cancer centre. No luck there either. I haven't hit up TBRRI or Mitomics yet. Are they big? I was under the impression that TBRRI was just a little, few person shop and I've never heard of Mitomics.

So, is Lakehead a good employer? Relaxed and casual dress like most universities? I really don't want to have to wear a suit. My imagination says that most places in TB probably aren't too formal. True?

Oh, and one random question if you don't mind - how long does it take to drive from one end of TB to the other? I'm trying to figure out normal commute times. One of the problems with Sudbury is that it's SO spread out. It can take some time, relative to smaller town Canada, to get from point A to B. In Boston, a 45 minute commute would be a dream, but I'm really hoping to have under a 20 minute commute, even if I live outside of the urban centre.

Thanks.

 

[trish4bruce]

Hi Chris,

Lakehead is a good employer. We have a new president right now so we have seen some changes but nothing drastic. I work in Graduate Studies so I work pretty closely with faculty and grad students. We are pretty relaxed dress wise. I do think it depends department by department. I dress business casual most days unless I have a meeting or event that requires a more formal approach. TBRRI is small but growing rapidly. The entire medical resarch industry in Tbay is growing strongly. Mitomics is also small but growing. Have you checked the City of Thunder Bay employment website? I thought I saw something on there computer related. One end of the city to the other can be done in 1/2 hour.

 

[farrelli]

Trish, aren't you the good resource! I'm surprised that you knew about the opening on the city's website! Been there, done that, and have applied. It's not exactly the perfect fit, but who can tell with the job descriptions written up on those things? The job descriptions that I've seen concocted for various jobs have had virtually or no resemblance to the real job. I remember when we hired someone to help me out, the job description that came back from HR was so overblown that I myself wouldn't have either qualified or known what the job entailed. Anyway, we'll see if I get a response. I wonder if they only contact people after the posting expires. Unfortunately, even the top end of the pay scale is less than half of what I currently get paid, and it's $9K less than the same position which happens to also be open in Sudbury (and which I also applied for), but I'd really have to consider how low I'd want to go. I know that TB's cost of living is supposedly lower than most, but the fact that you say that $300K homes fly off the shelves tells me that TB might not be as cheap as it tends to advertise itself.

Speaking of which, do you know if there's been a big run up in home prices in the last few years? I assume so, given that this is the case all across Canada given the low rates, but has it surged or just gradually crept up? I plan to rent when I fist show up because I expect a correction in the next year or two, but how quickly it corrects in a given city is usually related to how quickly it advanced. Btw, do you know if it's hard to get a rental in TB? Sudbury's rental market is less than 1%.

Thanks again.

 

[JackThronson]

Really, Your post are awesome...

cookinggames2play.com

 

[ccudmore]

1) Do you know if the rental market is tight? In Sudbury there's less than 1% availability, which makes getting a place very hard.

I was at a wedding in Thunder Bay 20 years ago, held at a nearby ski hill. The northern lights were so brilliant that night that they actually stopped the wedding reception for an hour so everyone could just go outside and watch the lights.