I know a number of people who have lived there... a very urban friend of mine was not happy there... a little too small town for him... however, I know a number of others who loved it... it's supposed to be lovely... a university town...
I lived in Kingston for 10 years - moved there in 1988 for schooling and then continued to stay there after graduation. Personally, I love Kingston and would move back in a heartbeat if both epi_lj and I could find jobs and if teleporters were invented so that clawfoot wouldn't be so far away (and/or her family if she was to move to K-town with us).
The downtown core is my favourite area and if I was to move there again, I would look for a home in the downtown area (I know exactly which neighbourhoods as well).
Positive aspects: a) Being a University town, there are some great facilities - restaurants, shopping, etc. b) Waterfront is beautiful, as is the downtown core. c) Some excellent pubs - Kingston Brew pub has some nice microbrews, but there are many more around. d) It's only 2.5 hours away from Toronto if you wanted to come back for the "culture" or events. There is regular train service if you don't feel like driving. e) I always felt that Kingston had a small-town feel with big-city services, especially the city of Kingston (as opposed to the township).
Negative aspects: a) The student population, which depending upon where you live can be problematic - noise levels, basic human ignorance, that sort of thing - this can also be a positive aspect because as a result of the students the town doesn't shut down as early as some. b) There are only 2 malls (plus the downtown strip), so your selection is somewhat limited. The better shopping areas tend to be in Kingston Township, so you definitely need/want a car. c) There are few ethnic groceries (at least last time I looked), which based on your culinary leanings may be problematic for you. d) The five prisons in the local area can make some areas of the city somewhat more..interesting at times.
I have some people on my friends list who currently live in Kingston who would probably be quite happy to speak to you. They live in the downtown are and work at Queen's. If you ever want a tour of the town, I'm always up for a day trip to Kingston to offer my services.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 05:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 06:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-24 02:22 am (UTC)The downtown core is my favourite area and if I was to move there again, I would look for a home in the downtown area (I know exactly which neighbourhoods as well).
Positive aspects:
a) Being a University town, there are some great facilities - restaurants, shopping, etc.
b) Waterfront is beautiful, as is the downtown core.
c) Some excellent pubs - Kingston Brew pub has some nice microbrews, but there are many more around.
d) It's only 2.5 hours away from Toronto if you wanted to come back for the "culture" or events. There is regular train service if you don't feel like driving.
e) I always felt that Kingston had a small-town feel with big-city services, especially the city of Kingston (as opposed to the township).
Negative aspects:
a) The student population, which depending upon where you live can be problematic - noise levels, basic human ignorance, that sort of thing - this can also be a positive aspect because as a result of the students the town doesn't shut down as early as some.
b) There are only 2 malls (plus the downtown strip), so your selection is somewhat limited. The better shopping areas tend to be in Kingston Township, so you definitely need/want a car.
c) There are few ethnic groceries (at least last time I looked), which based on your culinary leanings may be problematic for you.
d) The five prisons in the local area can make some areas of the city somewhat more..interesting at times.
I have some people on my friends list who currently live in Kingston who would probably be quite happy to speak to you. They live in the downtown are and work at Queen's. If you ever want a tour of the town, I'm always up for a day trip to Kingston to offer my services.