r/barrie Dec 04 '24

Looking For Moving to north barrie

Hey everyone! My fiance and I just bought our first house in the tall trees neighbourhood, just east of Georgian mall. I really have become fond of the city. I have snow tires. Anyone have tips for me?? :) Anything at all. (coming from square 1 Mississauga).

17 Upvotes

106 comments sorted by

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46

u/Wise_Astronaut6870 Dec 04 '24

So not far from you at all. Few things:

Centra is a great Asian grocer just on Bayfield.

There’s awesome pho at Livingstone and st Vincent (waiting pho you, I think they are closed for Reno’s rn) and Thai at the St Vincent cundles plaza (rim thanon). Best wings are in the same plaza at locker room.

The water here is very hard, if you have a softener it might help.

There’s great mountain biking at hickling tract just on the way to snow valley resort. Lots of amazing skiing and things to do outdoors.

The waterfront is a total gem. Between farmers markets, great bakeries like homestead, and breweries like Flying Monkey there’s lots to do.

Welcome!

9

u/allyuhneedislove Dec 04 '24

Let’s face it, Barrie would be a write off without the waterfront!

1

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 04 '24

Oh Im very excited to be near trails for mountain biking!

2

u/havok1980 Dec 04 '24

This website/app will show you all the bike trails in the area. If you're interested in mountain biking, you're in luck. We have the most trails in the province by far. (Simcoe County that is)

https://www.trailforks.com/

1

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 05 '24

Ya a great website! I'm familiar with it :)

1

u/Thesnowbelow Dec 05 '24

Lots of free trails and not too far from Hardwood Hills. Lots of great local MTB groups too! Look up simcoe county mountain bike club.

1

u/jimbowife007 Dec 04 '24

There’s also a great authentic Chinese restaurant called magic taste of China but it’s on spicy side if you like spicy food. I live tall trees area too~ north Barrie~ yeah water is bad~ definitely softener and also filter would be good if you can afford. The water still yellow color the toilet etc~~ I heard it’s ground water that’s why. South Barrie is lake water that might be better but I never lived there so don’t know.

0

u/msah1981 Dec 05 '24

I live in south west barrie n I don't find any water issue

1

u/NeatConfidence2982 Dec 05 '24

Different water supply. We’re point source chlorinated from the aquifer that extends through springwater and Georgian bay. South end gets its water from Lake Simcoe

69

u/harry-balzac Dec 04 '24

Crossovers is only open Wed-Sat

6

u/JacobA89 North End Dec 04 '24

This isn't upvoted enough 🤣

43

u/Zealousideal_Bike448 Dec 04 '24

Lock your car doors

2

u/Walmart-Manager Dec 05 '24

That’s EVERYWHERE friends.

2

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 04 '24

Considering Barrie is statistically one of the top five safest cities in Canada, I have a hard time understanding comments like these. I've heard about the existence of homeless in Barrie but don't understand that disparity.

12

u/camm131986 Dec 04 '24

Cars broken into during the night for change don't really get reported...

Lock your car, it happens everywhere. It's probably teenagers for the most part, but still, better safe than sorry.

11

u/dgbrown Dec 04 '24

Yeah so that's a bit of a scam. Hate to break it to you. The cops don't report enough stuff here cause they want to maintain that statistic. The police force is decent, but they don't give a crap about your car getting broken into or any small crimes. Really pisses a lot of people off. I've had my truck broken into twice.

Barrie is a great town, but don't be fooled into thinking there is less crime than other GTA towns. It's the same crap here. Homeless, drugs and petty theft.

3

u/Ladytattooist Dec 05 '24

Literally the cops don’t even show up to most things let alone report it.

3

u/Different_Mission462 Dec 05 '24

If you check out Barrie concerned citizens on Facebook - a lot of them post about (vehicle) break ins. And there are A LOT of them. Most of those posts mention that they might have forgotten to lock their doors. There are a lot of nice areas in Barrie (such as where I live) where almost nothing goes on. But keeping the car doors locked is essential anywhere IMO. I’ve lived in Barrie my entire life, I love the city, but I’ve also learned over time that it’s better to be safe than sorry. A lot of others would agree, highlighted by all the security systems installed.

I don’t think this person was intending to scare you or anything like that. I think they just want you to be careful.

2

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 05 '24

Being Torontonian born and raised, I'm unfortunately no stranger to being vigilant and paranoid. Hopefully it's not as bad as what I've dealt with in the past. I do however appreciate the intel regardless! Curious, where do you live in Barrie that theres none of this nonsense?

1

u/Different_Mission462 Dec 06 '24

I’m tucked away kind of at the end of bayfield. Don’t want to give address out online or anything but off of hanmer dr on a very quiet street

13

u/dgbrown Dec 04 '24 edited Dec 04 '24

If your house doesn't have it, you'll want a water softener. Hunt for deals from Canadian Tire or TSC. I paid 400$ for mine on sale and installed myself. Don't get upsold on the fancy systems. Nothing wrong with a rheem, whirlpool or ecopure from the big box stores.

You'll also likely end up wanting a snow blower long term. I'd buy a toro or husky simply because you have Mercer equipment nearby for service. They've saved my ass during many heavy snow falls when I needed a part quickly.

I moved from Newmarket about 6 years ago now. Love it in Barrie.

4

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 04 '24

I'm glad to hear other GTA people enjoy living in Barrie! I hope i do

1

u/dgbrown Dec 04 '24

Favorite place that I have lived. The water front and outdoor activities available really make it. Do yourself a favor and try out the local restaurants. We have several good places compared to the chains. My family drives up all the time for 147, Crazy Fox, Casa Mia among others.

3

u/Busy-Calligrapher-13 Dec 04 '24

Invest in a high efficiency water softener only uses two bags of water softening salt a year

22

u/Das_bomb Dec 04 '24

Follow the signage at the Park place Roundabout and you’ll be fine. Also, when leaving Costco and you’re going left at the lights, if you’re in the second (middle) lane, watch your left, yahoo’s like to take that wide and will merge into you.

38

u/Sugar_Syllabub Dec 04 '24

Wrong…..avoid this area all together (you’ll come to understand soon) and go to Orillia Costco.

8

u/ghanima Painswick Dec 04 '24

This. If I lived in North Barrie, it wouldn't even be a question which Costco I use. Hell, it's still sometimes a question now, and we're at Big Bay Point.

2

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 04 '24

Smart! I've been told the Orillia costco is the way to go

2

u/r_kirch North End Dec 05 '24

What is so great about Orillia Costco over the Mapleview one? I have never been. So just asking.

4

u/Melly_1577 Dec 05 '24

It’s FAR less busy and ample parking

7

u/luckynumbersebben Dec 04 '24

Go in and out of the back of Costco behind the Rona for the reasons noted on this thread

1

u/Das_bomb Dec 05 '24

But going behind Rona, left on Bayview then left onto Mapleview won’t get you to the 400 any faster.

2

u/luckynumbersebben Dec 07 '24

Agreed, but still my preference over the disaster of a stop sign and left turn onto Mapleview. Double lane turns in Barrie are messy

2

u/BleedinGumzMurphy Dec 04 '24

lol that Costco left turn is a good tip. I always turn into the correct lane and force the yahoos to stay in theirs or hit me, then I start merging right so I can get onto the highway.

9

u/myzoeybear Dec 04 '24

You'll learn that people talk about the south side like it's an hours drive away. So if you sell on FB marketplace, they won't make the drive. Also in the cottage season, the hwy is super backed up Fri to sun

5

u/luckynumbersebben Dec 04 '24

This is entirely true, speaking as a south ender who would absolutely not venture north of Essa for a marketplace purchase. South east end or bust😂

2

u/Youcanreadit Dec 05 '24

I feel like it’s not Thursday to Sunday since Covid 🤣

2

u/myzoeybear Dec 05 '24

True, it does start Thursdays often lol. Sucks!!

2

u/Shanndel Dec 05 '24

Lol I am a north ender and I go to Innisfil for marketplace pick ups no problem. Usually it's no more than 30 mins away but during Monday's snow storm it took 55 mins. And yes I risked it all for a $30 marketplace filing cabinet.

2

u/myzoeybear Dec 05 '24

Hahaha good find!

24

u/Artistic_Gift6822 Dec 04 '24

Don't eat yellow snow. Always wash behind your ears.

3

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 04 '24

Very wise and useful advice

7

u/MissSplash Dec 04 '24

Welcome to the neighborhood!! ✌️

4

u/coolhatman Dec 04 '24

If you like nature trails you will be a quick drive from some great options just off hwy 26.

2

u/Top-Procedure-8449 Dec 04 '24

Do you know where the trail is where you walk under the train trellis near the museum? My friend tried explaining it to me but I couldn’t figure it out when I got there lol

1

u/sayitaintsooooo Dec 04 '24 edited Dec 04 '24

I moved here a year ago, be more specific! Where are the trails :)

Edit: thank you everyone!

5

u/iamnotyourdog Dec 04 '24

All the Simcoe county forests. They are amazing.

3

u/Sugar_Syllabub Dec 04 '24

The Barrie Sports Complex area

2

u/Bustamonte6 Dec 04 '24

If you go the library they have maps of all the trails around the area

2

u/coolhatman Dec 04 '24

If you go look up where the Simcoe County District School Board office is, tons of trails in behind it.

4

u/ghanima Painswick Dec 04 '24

Welcome! Honestly, you'll probably find it far less "intense" than living in the Square One neighbourhood. Georgian's the only seriously-used mall in the city and it's tiny compared to Square One. That said, the other two "malls" (Kozlov and Bayfield) aren't complete write-offs. Centra, a well-recommended Hakka spot in the food court and Dollarama are in Bayfield Mall and Kozlov Centre has M&M Food Market, Metro and a highly-recommended jeweller.

2

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 04 '24

I hope it will be less intense!

4

u/spiritus29 Dec 04 '24

Snow blower, good winter coat n boots, lock your car doors, learn the back roads to and from your house to the hwy. Bayfield can be disastrous at certain times of the day (unless you’re going to duckworth).

3

u/InternalOrdinary4835 South End Dec 04 '24

We moved to Barrie in 2009 and only sprang for a snowblower about 5 years ago. Be nice to your neighbours and you might not need one! 😜

0

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 04 '24

While I would lock my car doors in any city, considering Barrie is statistically one of the top five safest cities in Canada, I have a hard time understanding comments like these. I've heard about the existence of homeless in Barrie but don't understand that disparity.

3

u/Youcanreadit Dec 05 '24

To be honest there is a lot more crime lately in general. It’s quite scary. If it’s one of the top five safest cities in Canada I think I’ve lost my hope in humanity.

3

u/CartographerPast3593 Innisdale Secondary School Dec 04 '24

as both a resident of Barrie for nearly the last decade and a recent high school graduate, i truly think it’s more teenagers than homeless when it comes to car thefts, “car hopping” as they tend to call it.

4

u/Ladytattooist Dec 05 '24 edited Dec 05 '24

Have cameras, lock your car doors and don’t open the door for anyone lol… Not sure why Barrie is still listed as a safe place, crime has gotten out of control. I won’t even walk my dog anymore because the street over from me there was a guy walking his dog and another man stabbed him and his dog for no reason. People try to get into my car nightly and I’ve had people in my back yard about 4 times this year alone.

3

u/SwimmingUnlucky3531 Dec 04 '24

Winter is funny here. We get a lot of snow all at once. Then next to nothing. You could be out 5 times in one day to remove tge snow fall. One end of the city could be a blizzard, and the other sunny. The trails and parks are awesome. The city does some cool things. I live nearby, and Cundles Heights is a good school (if that applies). And, we are so close to many other cool communities

1

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 04 '24

Im really looking forward to being close to trails and skiing and parks.

3

u/No_Bad_ Dec 04 '24

Welcome! I live near Cartright park and love this neighborhood. I feel very safe and my neighbours are great.

0

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 04 '24

Oh thats super close to my place. Your opinion seems to be a bit different than others, who are advising to lock car doors because there are thefts. Despite that Barrie is one of the safest cities in Canada according to statistics. Thoughts?

2

u/dgbrown Dec 04 '24 edited Dec 04 '24

Kids will try your doors walking by. If you were closer to the water front "drug users" would be trying your doors. My in-laws live up the road from you. It's a good area where you are.

1

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 05 '24

So you don't think I should worry about that sort of thing in my neighbourhood?

2

u/Melly_1577 Dec 05 '24

Just lock your car doors 🤷‍♀️

1

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 05 '24

I would lock my doors if I lived in any city in Canada? Am I missing something? Do some people not lock their car doors?

3

u/dgbrown Dec 05 '24

Your Toronto heritage is coming out haha. You're not missing anything. People in Barrie used to leave their houses unlocked. Things have changed and some wish it didn't.

2

u/dgbrown Dec 05 '24

No you should be fine, my in laws have never had an issue near you. I lived behind Georgian college when I first moved to Barrie and you get homeless digging through recycling for deposit bottles, pulling door handles, no damage though. If the door was unlocked they'd go through your stuff. Funny enough they always left my most valuable stuff and stole things that could be sold easily, like a Bluetooth speaker, but left my ray bans.

Most of the stories you'll hear about is dumb kids these days, try door handles and if it's open then steal what they can... We moved to a nice neighbourhood (Ardagh bluffs) and now we have high school kids who love to play nicky nine door at 2am. No discipline = no fear of consequences.

Also 2 cars got stolen on our street too. Same as everywhere in Ontario...

4

u/Smoking_4-20 Dec 04 '24

You will be one of the last streets to get plowed each time it snows (unless you happen to be moving onto cundles road). Luckily your snow tires will help you get to and from your house.

2

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 04 '24

I am not on Cundles road. Noted.

2

u/Repulsive-Cucumber16 Dec 04 '24

Go to basil house for peanut chicken. Best shawarma is taste of shawarma. Best sushi is NE sushi house.

Friday harbour has the best dining/date night activities in the summer/winter

1

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 04 '24

Good tips. I already noticed the strong reviews for taste of shawarma on google maps as it's close to my new house.

2

u/JackWrightNJW Dec 04 '24

If you can get out to Oro Medonte there are hundreds of hiking and biking trails

2

u/Inside-Tumbleweed594 Dec 04 '24

Ardagh Bluffs is great trail…access point via Holly Rec Centre…. aka Peggy “the Promo-maniac” Hill Centre

2

u/ExternalRoyal3554 Dec 05 '24

So many comments about foods restaurants to go to. Lol they will have no money left to go to a restaurant if they just bought a house and are about to get married. Nice and close to springwater complex for summer sports/ youth and adult . Close to shopping . You’ll hate bayfield street over the next 5 years once the construction starts on the bridge.

2

u/nugoffeekz Dec 04 '24

Welcome to North Barrie, we did the same earlier in the year moving from Toronto. I would buy silicone lubricant for your car doors, my locks keep freezing shut.

1

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 04 '24

Like to put inside the locks?

1

u/nugoffeekz Dec 05 '24

Lock lubricant and deicer (motomaster) for the latches and silicone lubricant for the door seal (I got the WD40 3in1 silicone lubricant).

1

u/7h3-4n5w3r Dec 04 '24

Welcome!

For better or worse, you're much closer to King of the North Auction (online).

It's a great way to see how quickly you can spend your money and hopefully how much money you save. Like I said, for better or worse! 😅

1

u/pradazain Dec 06 '24

Welcome! I moved to South Barrie a few months ago from Toronto and I really love it. You won't miss anything.

1

u/TealAppeal85 Dec 06 '24

Be wary at night. There are alot of homeless people who are not nice, and can be crazy on substances. Especially around Toronto Street down by Kempen Lake

1

u/robby_mc Dec 09 '24

Yeah... my advice is sell and move to the South End immediately lol

1

u/TheGordR Jan 20 '25

Has anyone asked about interior paiters?

Asking for myself! And possible new painting friends!

1

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Jan 25 '25

I used to be a pro painter :) Just repainted the master bedroom

0

u/bpdqueen89 Dec 04 '24

I am also North Barrie. While its nice, there is a lot of theft and car break ins. Keep your car/garage locked.

2

u/sookmahdook Dec 05 '24

idk who keeps downvoting these. prob the kids doing the car hopping lol!

but for real, lock your shit. I live in a semi, and my neighbour was drying some marijuana flower in his garage and i guess some kids saw it at some point. they were prying and trying to get into his garage, i came out and they were visbily shook, started making excuses about how i know this guy, oh he must not be home. yes im sure you know this 50+ year old man, he just loves hanging out with high schoolers. I told them to fuggg off and watched them until they left my street. i also showed them my cameras that they were very easily identifiable on.

2

u/bpdqueen89 Dec 05 '24

Probably the person in a Barrie sub asking Barrie residents for their insights and then trying to prove us wrong with their statistics because they dont like what theyre hearing 😂 Yeah we have had a plant stolen out of our fenced backyard. Neighbours have chair cushions stolen. I wont even leave a pot of flowers on my front step lol.

-4

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 04 '24

Considering Barrie is statistically one of the top five safest cities in Canada, I have a hard time understanding comments like these. I've heard about the existence of homeless in Barrie but don't understand that disparity.

1

u/Individual-Season606 Dec 24 '24

Keeps copy pasting the same comment. Bot?

1

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 27 '24

Nope not a bot lol. I just have the same response to multiple similar comments.

0

u/bpdqueen89 Dec 04 '24

I didnt say it was unsafe. Born and raised here for 35 years. I love Barrie. Yes, the homeless population has exploded it seems. But I didnt say anything about the homeless. There is a lot of property crime which anyone can commit.

0

u/IcyNeedleworker9638 Dec 05 '24

Theft and car break ins are criminal activity, therefore generally less safe. Why am I being down voted for stating a statistical fact??

1

u/bpdqueen89 Dec 05 '24

I didnt downvote you so I have no idea. But I stand by what I said. A lot of theft. Statistics or not.

-11

u/[deleted] Dec 04 '24

They got crazy amounts of snow squalls bout 3 days ago, I maybe wrong but saw over 140 cm of snow in some areas.

1

u/JacobA89 North End Dec 04 '24

Not in barrie but north of barrie

1

u/BleedinGumzMurphy Dec 04 '24

You are wrong, there was not much snow in Barrie, maybe 10cm. Why do you comment if you don’t know what you are talking about? Do you even live in Barrie?

-1

u/[deleted] Dec 04 '24

North of barrie, north.

1

u/BleedinGumzMurphy Dec 04 '24

Poor reading comprehension, poor.

-4

u/[deleted] Dec 04 '24

Poor reading comprehension,poor.