Kingston Relocation Guide 2008/2009

HOUSE HUNTING THE BEST FIRST STEP IS A TOUR OF THE CITY BY CAR WITH THIS GUIDE IN HAND! To obtain a detailed street map, contact the Tourist Information Office, 209 Ontario St., 613-548-4415 (toll-free 1-888-855-4555), or the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce, 67 Brock St., 613-548-4453. Note the real estate signs in front of properties you like, since these realtors are likely to be knowledgeable in that particular neighbourhood. Ontario real estate agents are licensed by the province to assist during the purchasing process. The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) offers a broad selection of properties, and you can access it directly at www.mls.ca to search specific neighbourhoods, view pictures of the properties and review pertinent information. The Kingston Area Real Estate Association, 613-384-0880, will also be happy to advise you. If you are considering building a home, the Greater Kingston Home Builders Association, 613-384-3884, can offer assistance. Their website at www.gkhba.on.ca features an index of builders and developers. CONDOMINIUM LIVING Condominium living is an increasingly popular type of home ownership. Kingston offers many types of condominiums: from the “instant” sense of community that often comes with apartment-style condos to the privacy of home ownership in a townhousestyle condo that offers the advantage of having someone else shovel the snow and look after maintenance issues. Condo living offering a variety of lifestyles is available in most areas of the city from east to west, including sought-after downtown luxury condos with beautiful views of Lake Ontario. Condos can feature swimming pools, exercise areas, games areas, laundry facilities and more. Kingston’s popularity as a retirement community makes condominiums much desired. In November 2006, townhouse-style condominiums started at $105,000 and water-view units started at $219,000. To learn more about Ontario’s Condominium Act, and for tips for condo buyers and owners, visit the Government of Ontario website, www.gov.on.ca, scroll to Popular Topics and choose Consumer Protection. You can also visit your public library or ask a real estate professional for more information. RENTALS Renting can be a great alternative to purchasing a home. Renting can give you time to become familiar with a particular neighbourhood without making the commitment of purchasing a home. Kingston has a wide variety of rental alternatives, whether you are looking for a bachelor apartment or space to accommodate a family. For rental properties, check the classifieds in Kingston’s daily newspaper, The Kingston Whig-Standard, or in Kingston This Week, published twice weekly. You can do this online at www.ospreyclassifiednetwork.com. Queen’s University Listing Services lists everything from student apartments to faculty homes; visit their extensive and searchable listings at http://notes. queensu.ca/ALSWeb.nsf. Real estate agents/agencies can also be a source of information on rental apartments, and Kingston has several property management firms that handle rental properties. For a list, check the Yellow Pages under Real Estate Management. The Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal, 1-888-332-3234, covers the legal rights of Ontario’s renters and landlords. The city’s Property Standards Office can be reached at 613-546-0000. MOVING IN Some services that you may need to help you settle into your new community. Emergency Fire • Police • Ambulance Call 911 for all emergencies For non-urgent information calls, please see the phone numbers below. Medical Hotel Dieu Hospital Emergency Department, 613-546-1240 Kingston General Hospital Emergency Department, 613-548-2333 Poison Control, 1-800-267-1373 General Information Kingston Police, 613-549-4660 Kingston Fire Department, 613-548-4001 Electric Service West end: Hydro One Networks, 1-888-664-9376 and www.hydroonenetworks.com Central and East: Utilities Kingston, 613-546-0000 and www.utilitieskingston.com Natural Gas Union Gas, 1-888-774-3111 or www.uniongas.com 2008/2009 RELOCATION GUIDE 1 5 http://www.mls.ca http://www.gkhba.on.ca http://www.ospreyclassifiednetwork.com http://notes.queensu.ca/ALSWeb.nsf http://notes.queensu.ca/ALSWeb.nsf http://www.hydroonenetworks.com http://www.utilitieskingston.com http://www.uniongas.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Kingston Relocation Guide 2008/2009

Kingston Relocation Guide 2008/2009 Contents Welcome to Kingston A Bird’s Eye View West of Kingston Kingston West Kingston Central Kingston East Gananoque The Islands House Hunting Condominiums Rentals Moving In From Nine to Five West of Kingston Map Downtown Kingston Close-up Map Kingston West Map Kingston Central Map Kingston East Map Business Services Directory Finding a Job Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Islands Map Commercial Real Estate Bienvenue à Kingston Cultural Communities Education and Child Care Libraries Recreational Pastimes Kingston for Kids In Your Evergreen Years Medical Brief Relocation Services

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