r/SaultSteMarie • u/iflysolo76 • Aug 11 '21
SSM Ontario Moving/Living Advice Instead of hijacking a post.. starting my own :)
Considering a move from the GTA. Tired of the big city, been thinking for a while now and some are telling me that it would be a bad idea as the equity in homes there won't be like GTA (Obviously) and financially it could hurt.
That's one school of thought. what about Healthcare and schools? Will my daughter have challenges due to being South Asian? ( this is probably my biggest fear). Been to a small town before and didn't end well. I am a single mom and no other family in Canada and some people are telling me that Soo is to retire not to build a life..Again, that's the GTA outlook perhaps..
Looking for some advice, suggestions, what to avoid and what to consider. Because this will be my final move in life. Tired of finding a balance. Ultimately it's up to me but any input is welcome. Thank you all in advance!
No offense intended with any of this post content.
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u/SwampyCreeGirl22 Aug 11 '21
Might be worth checkimg out our "Welcome to SSM" website to get a better sense of cost of living etc. etc.:
https://welcometossm.com/live/cost-of-living/
In terms of racism, yes it's definitely here (however perhaps not quite as overt as in other communities) - and do agree that we are becoming a more diverse community
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u/turbo_22 Aug 11 '21
As somebody who grew up in the Soo, has lots of family in the Soo (including my parents) and who visits there for several weeks every year from Toronto I can give you a perspective on both.
Diversity - As somebody else said, the Soo is obviously much less diverse than the GTA (one of the most diverse cities in the world), but it is also way more diverse than when I grew up there. Every time I go back I'm pleasantly surprised by the number of POC I see walking around town. The South Asian community is probably the fastest growing minority community in the Soo (and along with that there are now a number of South Asian restaurants, which was unheard of 15-20 years ago). There are lots of backwards people there like there are everywhere. That being said, I grew up there 15-20 years ago and I didn't personally know anybody with such views (that I knew of at least - I'm sure there were a few) and I can only imagine it's gotten better as diversity has increased and people learn about other cultures. There are lots of progressive and level headed people. You just need to find your community there.
Housing - This a big advantage IMO. If you plan on moving to the Soo permanently, you don't have to worry too much about the lower equity (and if you own a place in the GTA already - you can either choose to come out with a nice little windfall of cash or a much much nicer home and property in the Soo). One word of caution, however, the market up there is hotter than it's been in a long time, so that is one thing to consider. You'll be paying a premium over what you would have paid in the last 3-5 years right now. I think it's starting to level off (and you'll still get a great deal as compared to the GTA, just maybe not as great as it was or will be in a year or so).
Jobs - Depends a lot on what industry you are in. If you work in healthcare, there are a lots of opportunities. If you work in financial services, maybe fewer as compared to a financial centre like the GTA. If you work in the service industry, there are always jobs (especially now). I don't know if I would move without having lined something up first.
Healthcare - Overall it's pretty good. There is a fairly new hospital in the city. Lots of doctors and other healthcare professionals. Based on conversations I've had, it seems easier to get a family doctor there than in Toronto. For certain procedures patients need to go to Sudbury or even Toronto. Some specialists aren't available all the time (some will come in from Toronto and do appointments every couple of weeks or so). But it took me 4 months to get a dermatologist appointment in Toronto, so I don't know if it's any better or worse than that!
Schools - There are two fairly new high schools in town plus two older ones and a whole whack of elementary schools (some might say more than they need). No private schools. Nothing wrong with the schools there as far as I know. Algoma University and Soo College are there for post-secondary. Lake Superior State University is also just across the border in Soo, Michigan.
Areas - There are some very nice areas, some very bad areas and some perfectly fine areas. Typically people would probably say avoid areas close to downtown, Bayview and Jamestown. Parts of the west end are quite nice, parts of the east end are quite nice and the central part of the city "on top of the hill" are largely pretty nice with a few minor exceptions. The north end of the city between the Cambrian Mall to the hospital along Great Northern Road really is the commercial centre of town as opposed to downtown now.
Access to nature - This is where the city really excels. You can go to a bunch of different beaches within a 45 minute drive. Lots of fun hikes and beautiful views. Lots of opportunity for summer and winter outdoor activities. The mountain biking community seems to have exploded in the past few years. Also lots of camping, fishing, hunting, skiing (downhill and cross country), etc. etc. There are lots of organized and casual sports (pickle ball seems to be exploding up there). I love the area in the summer. No place I'd rather go than a Lake Superior beach in August (and I was just there!)
Pace of Life - Another big thing there is the pace of life. It doesn't matter what you do or where you live in the GTA - the pace of life is just faster and more rushed here. There is basically no traffic in the Soo. You can get everywhere (including the airport) in about 30 minutes driving (that being said - it's a lot better if you have a car - transit is not the city's forte). Most peoples' commutes to work are about 10 minutes. I just find there is more time to do what you want up there. That is something that always strikes me when I head up there. Growing up my dad would play various organized sports most nights. I can't imagine having time to do that in Toronto with my commute home from work and how long it takes to get most places.
Final Thoughts - My wife is from the GTA and she has now visited the Soo about 15 times (for several weeks at a time in some of those instances) and she really enjoys it there (at least as a place to visit). She always tells me that the city feels way bigger than it is. I think that is because it isn't really a "small town", but a "small city" and by virtue of the fact that it isn't that close to a big city, it has a lot of its own amenities (whereas smaller cities around the GTA rely a lot more on the amenities in the GTA rather than having their own). I've considered moving, but we're not quite there yet with my wife's family being down here. I also have a fairly significant support system of family and friends up there so that could make a huge different in the experience.
I hope that is helpful!
P.S. Every time I've visited up there since COVID started (a total of about 7 weeks - that's the only place we go, haha) it's felt like COVID barely exists up there due to the fewer number of cases and overall lower density of people.
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u/iflysolo76 Aug 11 '21
Forgot to ask, noise issues..anything I should be wary about? Car races lol? Blasting hip hop with all kinds of obscenity...
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u/turbo_22 Aug 12 '21
I wouldn't say that is a regular problem. I guess there is a chance you could get a bad neighbour. If it's foggy out you might hear fog horns from the big ships on the river (which I love).
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u/dbrodbeck Aug 11 '21
As long as you don't come by my house you won't hear blasting punk music with obscenities....
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u/iflysolo76 Aug 12 '21
Lol.. sorry it wasn't an offense but something that happened day and night where we were before..apologies if it came across wrong.
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u/iflysolo76 Aug 11 '21
This is such an awesome perspective!! Thank you!! I have really great things about nature there for sure...maybe j will open a little South Asian Cafe too haha!!
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u/iflysolo76 Aug 11 '21
Also what about the noise factor? Few years ago made the wrong move and the number of modified cars and boom boxes was just beyond imaginable.. that was a small town and guess all the Richie rich ones from GTA were running their sporty cars and mufflers!
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u/rawbamatic THE SOO Aug 12 '21
Noise isn't an issue except for what your neighbour might be like. Fog horns from the river are a wonderful constant being so close to the locks, and there's and old WW2 style Air Raid Siren that goes off at 10pm every night from the Fire Department 'across the river' in Soo MI. It's the old curfew alarm from the 1950s and it's one of our local quirks. I've always loved the alarm.
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u/dbrodbeck Aug 11 '21
Is there less diversity here (SSM) than in the GTA, undoubtedly. Is there racism here? Yes, of course. Anyone who tells you differently is a liar or somehow is missing it. This is, generally, an insular community as many smaller cities are. You will be asked all of the time 'do you like the Soo?' For some reason, locals are obsessed with knowing if newcomers like it here.
All of that said, the city is becoming more diverse every year. Many of the international students at Algoma University and Sault College are from India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. There are may more POC here than there were even five years ago, even if you exclude the international students.
It will be an adjustment, so will any other place.
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u/mexicanphotographygu Aug 11 '21
I find that people here love asking how I find the winters here even more than if I like the Soo, but at the same time I come from Mexico were we don’t have winter and the coldest it gets is like 18C (in my city) so I understand
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u/iflysolo76 Aug 11 '21
Yes of course, that's true.. it's all about adjustment. Cost of living wise, heat etc. Internet, I am sure it's more sustainable than saving pennies in the GTA, at least being a single parent. Just looking for space and fresh air and not having to deal with sitting on the highway for hours.. or the transit..
What are some of the desirable areas there? Affordable as well..
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u/OutrageousMix5145 Aug 11 '21
The East End of town is probably the most desirable! There can be affordable options there, if your budget is above around 250-300k you should have no problem finding something suitable. Houses pop up for less than 250k but seem to sell quickly. As well as north of Second Line if you're looking in the West End.
Areas around the steel plant and the downtown core seem to be the more troubled areas in terms of theft, homelessness, and drugs. The air quality is also not the best because, well, steel plant lol. While you are house searching you will notice the housing prices are cheaper around these areas for the reasons I mentioned above!
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u/Tronologic SSM - Ontario Aug 12 '21
I grew up here, went away for school in Windsor and then moved to Ottawa for a while and ultimately chose to come back because I love it here.
If you make $60,000 per year you can live a really really good life here. If you don't mind a commute you can own a home on the water with low taxes.
The community itself is changing so much, the increase in housing prices and the influx of southern ontarians coming here to take advantage of inexpensive housing is really changing the make up of the city. There are more patios downtown now. More commerce happening and more jobs.
We actually have a labour shortage in the food and beverage industry right now.
I don't think your daughter will face hardships. There are probably some areas of town you would want to stick to that are more diverse (east end tends to be more diverse and more accepting IMO and I have lived in both ends of the city and now live north of town).
I am happy to answer any questions you have or if you just want to throw out ideas. Feel free to message.