Living in Hamilton: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 14:19, 16 November 2020

We have lots more information to add here! Send us information and links if you have ideas about showcasing Hamilton for newcomers.

Finding Housing

There are several resources for locating housing online. Here is the link to

McMaster’s off campus housing ads
Search kijiji.ca for roommates and apartment rentals in Hamilton
Facebook market place and housing groups are also ways to find student housing around the city

If it is an option, it is suggested that you visit Hamilton to look at areas that you would like to live in. Your best resource for housing options will often be talking to current graduate students.

Transportation

Hamilton has an extensive public transit network. It is also very easy to travel to Toronto and surrounding cities via public transit. When you pay your student fees, you will receive a 12-month bus pass for the Hamilton Street Rail bus network (HSR).

Hamilton Street Rail (HSR)
GO transit (for bus and train travel inside and outside of Hamilton)
VIA rail (cross-Canada train network)
Coach Canada, Megabus, and Greyhound Canada stop at McMaster in front of Mary Keyes.

Hamilton has a great bike share program called SoBi (Social Bicycles), with bike stations located on campus and throughout Hamilton neighbourhoods:

SoBi Hamilton (Bike the Hammer)

Neighbourhoods around the city

Westdale is a quaint area near McMaster University that is always bustling with restaurants, cafes and bars. There are even grocery stores and bakeries in the area. Visit the Westdale Village website for ideas of where to go and what to do.
The Emerson/Ainslie Wood neighbourhoods are an excellent way to get to know the area around McMaster. With bars, nature trails, and grocery stores it is a great way to spend some time.
Downtown Hamilton is a must visit for local restaurants, artistic lounges, and independent stores. There's always something to do for anyone...it just takes a little exploring! The following two websites are excellent resources to help find a nice restaurant or activity in the heart of Hamilton:

* Tourism Hamilton

* Downtown Hamilton

Dundas is a quaint and beautiful nearby destination to McMaster. With just one bus ride away, you can find yourself in gorgeous nature trails or exploring family owned businesses. Check out the Downtown Dundas website for ideas of places to visit!
Strathcona/Kirkendale are also great locations to find local shops and restaurants. Visits here for more information.

Grocery Stores

Living in Hamilton gets better when you know where to shop. Many grocery stores near McMaster offer student discounts on particular days. We've copied below some stores and their discounts but be sure to ask around in case we missed any!

Food Basics offers a 10% Discount for students on Tuesdays
Fortinos (at 1579 Main St W) offers a 10% Discount for students on Tuesdays
Shoppers Drug Mart (Across from McMaster) offers a 20% Discount for students on Thursdays

Farmer's Markets

Hamilton also offers a great deal of fresh produce and meats at local Farmer's markets. See below for links to near by farmer's markets and their respective hours.

Exploration

Hamilton is filled with beautiful nature trails and waterfalls to explore.

Events

There's always something happening in Hamilton for anyone to enjoy. With the large art and music scenes, entertainment is just around the corner! If you're looking to find something near you to visit then check out the Hamilton Rising Website for ideas!

Every second Friday of the month is Artcrawl. This is a wonderful event to attend and support local artists and musicians. It is free and occurs on James Street North where artists set up along the street.
Supercrawl is a must see with bustling sounds and lights at the core of Hamilton along James Street N.
Find wonderful events within Hamilton on this website

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 === Finding Housing ===
 There are several resources for locating housing online. Here is the link to
-* [http://macoffcampus.mcmaster.ca/classifieds/index.php McMaster’s off campus housing ads]
+* [https://offcampus.mcmaster.ca/available-properties/ McMaster’s off campus housing ads]
 * [https://www.kijiji.ca/ Search kijiji.ca for roommates and apartment rentals in Hamilton]
+* Facebook market place and housing groups are also ways to find student housing around the city
 If it is an option, it is suggested that you visit Hamilton to look at areas that you would like to live in. Your best resource for housing options will often be talking to current graduate students.
@@ Line 13: / Line 14: @@
 * [http://www.gotransit.com GO transit (for bus and train travel inside and outside of Hamilton)]
 * [http://www.viarail.ca VIA rail (cross-Canada train network)]
-* [https://www.coachcanada.com/bus-schedules Coach Canada] stops at McMaster in front of [https://tinyurl.com/ybfc7f5z Mary Keyes].
+* [https://www.coachcanada.com/bus-schedules Coach Canada], [https://ca.megabus.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj4eWw7_I7AIVWw4rCh3f2Q0LEAAYASAAEgIRZvD_BwE Megabus], and [https://www.greyhound.ca/ Greyhound Canada] stop at McMaster in front of [https://goo.gl/maps/KivqeGqZiCTRgAT98 Mary Keyes].
-* [https://www.greyhound.ca/ Greyhound Canada]
 Hamilton has a great bike share program called SoBi (Social Bicycles), with bike stations located on campus and throughout Hamilton neighbourhoods:
 * [https://hamilton.socialbicycles.com/ SoBi Hamilton (Bike the Hammer)]
+=== Neighbourhoods around the city ===
+* Westdale is a quaint area near McMaster University that is always bustling with restaurants, cafes and bars. There are even grocery stores and bakeries in the area. Visit the [https://westdalevillage.ca/ Westdale Village] website for ideas of where to go and what to do.
+* The Emerson/Ainslie Wood neighbourhoods are an excellent way to get to know the area around McMaster. With bars, nature trails, and grocery stores it is a great way to spend some time.
+* Downtown Hamilton is a must visit for local restaurants, artistic lounges, and independent stores. There's always something to do for anyone...it just takes a little exploring! The following two websites are excellent resources to help find a nice restaurant or activity in the heart of Hamilton:
+:: * [https://tourismhamilton.com/downtown-guide Tourism Hamilton]
+:: * [http://downtownhamilton.org/ Downtown Hamilton]
+* Dundas is a quaint and beautiful nearby destination to McMaster. With just one bus ride away, you can find yourself in gorgeous nature trails or exploring family owned businesses. Check out the [https://downtowndundas.ca/ Downtown Dundas] website for ideas of places to visit!
+* Strathcona/Kirkendale are also great locations to find local shops and restaurants. Visits [http://kirkendallhood.ca/ here] for more information.
+=== Grocery Stores ===
-Add information about:
+Living in Hamilton gets better when you know where to shop. Many grocery stores near McMaster offer student discounts on particular days. We've copied below some stores and their discounts but be sure to ask around in case we missed any!
-neighbourhoods, advantages and disadvantages of each
+* [https://www.foodbasics.ca/studentdiscount.en.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAnIT9BRAmEiwANaoE1eGlzMMdaXTfaN2V7GPiJC7cKiyrVF9nfGRq9sd0CfC1nlZp09JJiBoC_lUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Food Basics] offers a 10% Discount for students on Tuesdays
-* Westdale
+* Fortinos (at 1579 Main St W) offers a 10% Discount for students on Tuesdays
-* Downtown
+* Shoppers Drug Mart (Across from McMaster) offers a 20% Discount for students on Thursdays
-* Strathcona/Kirkendale
-* Emerson/Ansile Woods
-* Dundas
-* living in Toronto (how to, disadvantages to commuting)
-Grocery stores
+=== Farmer's Markets ===
-parking on campus
+Hamilton also offers a great deal of fresh produce and meats at local Farmer's markets. See below for links to near by farmer's markets and their respective hours.
-Entertainment
+* [https://hamiltonfarmersmarket.ca/ Hamilton Farmer's Market]
+* [https://lsfm.wordpress.com/ Locke Street Farmer's Market]
+* [https://ottawastreetfarmers.com/ Ottawa Street Farmer's Market]
+* [https://www.facebook.com/DundasMarket/ Dundas Farmer's Market]
+* [https://www.facebook.com/durandmarket/ Durand Farmer's Market]
-Bars, restaurants, cafes,
+=== Exploration ===
-Festivals in Hamilton
+Hamilton is filled with beautiful nature trails and waterfalls to explore.
+* [https://tourismhamilton.com/hamilton-waterfalls-guide Waterfall Guide]
+* [https://tourismhamilton.com/hamiltons-hottest-hiking-trails Hiking Trails]
+* [https://conservationhamilton.ca/conservation-areas/spencer-gorge/ Dundas Peak]
+* [https://www.rbg.ca/ Royal Botanical Gardens]
+=== Events ===
+There's always something happening in Hamilton for anyone to enjoy. With the large art and music scenes, entertainment is just around the corner! If you're looking to find something near you to visit then check out the [https://hamiltonrising.com/ Hamilton Rising] Website for ideas!
+* Every second Friday of the month is Artcrawl. This is a wonderful event to attend and support local artists and musicians. It is free and occurs on James Street North where artists set up along the street.
+* [https://supercrawl.ca/ Supercrawl] is a must see with bustling sounds and lights at the core of Hamilton along James Street N.
+* Find wonderful events within Hamilton on this [https://tourismhamilton.com/events-calendar website]