(01-09-2020, 12:19 PM)ac3r Wrote:(01-07-2020, 08:04 AM)Spokes Wrote: I think a lot of people still think that way
It still has that reputation...but I feel now it's more so because there is still just really no reason to go downtown. There are very few shops that offer anything you can't get elsewhere in the city. There isn't even a grocery store. There is a pretty meh farmers market once a week. There is no "nightlife". In fact there is almost no street activity past 8PM in the summer. It's like there is nothing to do but walk around without aim like the transient population does.
Granted, if you live downtown, then there is a bit more because that is your neighbourhood 365 days a week and so you make do. But what incentive is there for someone to drive from - say the areas around Stanley Park or Homer Watson? Nothing at all, unless they are running to the market or there is some one-off event going on.
The first step in revitalization is always food and drink, and I absolutely do think that's happening. Downtown Kitchener has many of the region's best restaurants right now, and people are increasingly coming downtown for that reason. Adding a few thousand more people living downtown will bring the corresponding increase in restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, many of which will be destinations. That's not the end of revitalizing downtown, but it's a pretty significant step in the right direction.
(01-09-2020, 12:19 PM)ac3r Wrote: I work as an architect in Waterloo Region but I just cannot live here, because for someone like me, there is very little to do. I stay in Toronto where I have more friends, where I can visit architecture conferences, I can go to art galleries, I can see music by the most obscure noise band that bangs on tin cans or pop music, I can go to a dozen niche, indie cinemas, I can go to a plethora of restaurants, bars, I can see the water, I can go to the bluffs. There is always something to do. Kitchener-Waterloo? I come here to work and once a month, check out the new art exhibits.
Yes, Waterloo Region under funds the arts and that's why you don't see more of that sort of thing here. But for those that don't go to art galleries or live music much that's not a big deal. I grew up in Toronto and I've lived in San Francisco, both pretty major cities, and only thing I really miss in KW is more variety in high end food and drink. But even that is rapidly changing as the demographics of KW change.
As for water or the bluffs, I think there's plenty of nature around. Have you taken some of the trails along the grand river? Or gone out into the townships?