[grigory]

Having spent a few years in KW, I have a feeling it might be difficult to convince people to move there.

[jpollock]

In the length of time I spend commuting to work in the morning, people in KW can drive to downtown Toronto to get some fun for the evening.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/University+of+Waterloo,+200+...

[jlgosse]

I wouldn't say 1h46m each way is something many people would want to do very often - why not just live in Toronto?

[mikepurvis]

How long ago? I've been here 12 years (first school, now work), and it's changed a lot, almost all for the better. There's a decent arts/music scene, a dozen good restaurants, affordable housing, lots of new construction, light rail coming online next year.

[sdflkd]

Not much to do in Waterloo. It's good if you're introverted and just want to game/do projects/self-improvement after work, though. Which isn't that bad thinking about it.

[edblarney]

This is a stark reality.

For a Canadian, Waterloo might be ok.

For most Americans, it would be like moving to Alaska.

I tried to hire into Waterloo, and for Americans, Canada in general is a really tough sell.

We brought in some Americans, most of them kept their homes in wherever.

We hired a bunch and let them live wherever, they flew in every few weeks.

It was far less than ideal.

That said, it might be better than many places in the US - but this is where California has such a massive advantage.