Wow, I'm almost speechless... not only does this blog live on, it's getting more and more page views and comments as time goes on. In some twisted, sadistic way, that makes me happy! :) More and more "Barrie haters" are coming out of the woodwork. I knew I wasn't the only one who disliked Barrie. So many of you have written lately, with most of you agreeing that Barrie is not such a great city (to say the least). You've got all kinds of reasons. Some are the same as mine, some are a lot different. But at least we all share one thing in common - our feelings about how much BARRIE SUCKS!
It's been almost a year and half since I left Barrie, and it's been WONDERFUL! I feel like such a big weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I only wish my parents would leave Barrie. I keep in touch with a few people I met in Barrie, and almost all of them have moved away! A few months ago, I came for a visit to see my parents and I felt a knot forming in stomach even before I got back to that horrid city. Needless to say, I did not enjoy being there and could not wait to leave!
So to all of you who didn't like Barrie and left, congratulations! I know what a wonderful feeling it is to leave a city you hate, namely Barrie. You've no doubt found happiness and satisfaction somewhere else, as I have. And to those of you who regret ever setting foot in Barrie and can't wait to leave... I wish you good luck in making the break as soon as possible. Do it, you'll be glad you did. And if you happen to like Barrie, well then good for you! You can't please all of the people all of the time.
Lastly, I'm really happy this blog has been available as a resource to people who currently live in Barrie, have lived in Barrie or were/are actually considering moving there. Many of you have read the pages of this blog and some of you have posted a reply. For that I thank you. And if it helped to just "vent" your frustrations about Barrie, I'm glad, and happy that you were able to do it here.
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- Winter injuries and the joys of living in Barrie
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About Me
- Peter
- (formerly) Barrie, Ontario, Canada
- NOTE: What you see below was written when I first created this blog. I've since moved far away from Barrie and am happier than ever. ----- I'm a mid-30s guy, living in Barrie (hopefully not for much longer). Of all this places I've live in, including the GTA, greater Vancouver and greater Montreal areas, Barrie is the worst. Barrie is the worst of everything. No wonder houses are cheaper here! It's time people knew the truth about Barrie, not just all the hype and glory in those glossy brochures. If this blog can save just one person from moving to Barrie, it will be worth it. It's time people stopped looking through rose coloured glasses and knew the truth - the good, the bad (mostly) the ugly. It's beyond me why anyone would actually choose to live in Barrie. Reluctantly and against my better judgment, I came back to Barrie to be closer to my parents. Huge step in the wrong direction. (Even my retired parents are thinking of leaving Barrie, thank god). I also lived here from 1995 to 1999 and couldn't wait to leave. Should have stayed away when I had the chance. Luckily it's not too late. I hope to be out of Barrie before 2008 begins, and never set foot here again.
3 comments:
My husband and I nearly died laughing when we came across your blog. I've never "blogged" before, but simply had to leave a comment on yours.
We moved here about a year and a half ago and have felt like we've been living in a state of bewilderment ever since. I've described it as the real life version of "The Emperor's New Clothes". Everyone here is constantly commenting about how great Barrie is. When something needs said so often, you gotta start to wonder if the people saying it really believe it or are trying to convince themselves of the same.
We're still waiting to see why it's so wonderful - nothing really stands out. We've found the same lack of personality to the city as you describe - it's just kind of void of anything that defines it. A big mismatch of everything and nothing. We expected better access to the outdoors and more of a small town feel. But it's unattractive and spread out and has a giant highway running right through the middle of it.
But to be fair, I think it depends on where else you've lived and what you're looking for. If your life is your house in a manicured neighbourhood, you might well like Barrie. I personally hate that you have to drive everywhere - for groceries, activities, exercise, etc. it all requires you to get in a car. There's no nice place to just go and hang out - no real market area or cool downtown core to wander in. People will try to convince you differently, but there's not.
The streets run this way and that and it can take a while to get from A to B. But again, if you're used to driving, commuting, etc. this won't bother you.
The winter? Depends again what you're looking for. Winter here drives us nuts. But we've lived in Winnipeg and places before and so would prefer that once it gets cold, it stays cold so that when the snow comes, it stays snow for the winter instead of melting and then refreezing layering everything with ice,multiple times over.
Anyway, have to say thanks for the website - gave us a good laugh and we finally don't feel crazy anymore - there's someone else out there with the same opinion of Barrie!!
Thanks! I enjoyed reading your message! Glad this blog is catching on and finally more and more people are realizing that Barrie is not everything it's cracked up to be. You're right, many people who live in Barrie keep saying it's nice, but they're probably just trying to convince themselves. When I was still living in Barrie, I kept trying to convince myself that it wasn't so bad, but deep down I knew that wasn't true. Eventually I stopped doing that and just left the city for good.
Barrie is definitely victim to urban sprawl. No decent downtown core, and you have to drive everywhere to do anything.
As for manicured lawns... people are either obsessed with having a perfect lawn, or could care less and let it dry out, get patchy and let weeds grow.
I'm not a big fan of winter, never have been and never will be. But I suppose if I had to choose, I'd rather have a Winnipeg-style winter that you described.
Again, glad you enjoyed the blog, and make sure to pass it on to anyone you know who lives or has lived in Barrie, and especially anyone who's thinking of moving to Barrie!
Your blog is great! The 400 is an absolute nightmare north on Fridays and south on Sundays - They say the 401 is the busiest highway in the world, but the 400 has got to be the slowest!
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