Often to see clearly one must step back

Or, come from afar as the case may be.

Born and raised in Toronto, I came here first for University (McMaster) and then for what was to be a year or so stint while on my first Maternity leave in 2000 - I am still here.

Many Ex-Torontats see Hamilton clearer than born and bred Hamiltonians.

The amenities to Hamilton were imediately very appealing: Nature on your doorstep, uncrowded and easy get around, great walkability and cylce-ability (at least the lower city - I have never climbed the moutain on bike, even in my most fit of days).

We belong to the Royal Botanical Gardens and routinely hike and enjoy the trails and gardens. The Dundas Valley and the Bruce Trail system is within a minutes drive or a stroll. This is something unique and fabulous!

When my husband was a child they would trek off to Toronto to shop - it was apparently where one could find the better deal. I remember when I was first here and Gap, Club Monaco and the like still filled Jackson Square - I found it a coup that there was always lots of merchandise left when it was time for the retailers to cut prices and have a sale. Even now, and just this Christmas as I shopped at Pure and the other fabulous stores on Locke, I thought - if Torontonians saw these prices they would clear out the shops!

Theatre Aquarius, Hamilton Art Gallery, Music venue after Music venue, Independant Art Gallery after Art Gallery - with little pomp and underestimated circumstance - quite something indeed.

And only 30 minutes down the road from one of Canada's top three largest and most jam packed cities...with real estate at half the price...hmmmm...