Carriage Mews

I live here.

Here's what I like:
spacious and inexpensive. If you mind your own business and pay your rent on time, no one messes with you. The yard is nice, and they cut through the grass for you weekly in the warmer weather. The units have a huge basement, 2 bathrooms, a laundry room on the main floor, a linen closet upstairs. You will not find better rental properties in this city, period. It's within walking distance to Ferndale public school, which in my opinion is actually an awesome school if you don't have a special needs child (they do not accommodate to special needs). There's a corner store within walking distance, same with a pizza shop. A park is just a little walk away. Close to the bus route if you need to take a bus. Super central. Feels safe. Quiet.
The units themselves are quite beautiful. It has a sunk in living room which makes the ceilings so much higher. The backyard is actually pretty large, and they take care of all the yard grooming for you. Water is free, which is a nice little perk. My favorite thing is that if my neighbors are disruptive, I can complain. I will complain until the cows come home if neighbors are disrespectful (ie partying until 4:00 am on weeknights during Ramadan or parking in my parking spot without asking me, etc, etc). If you own a home, you have absolutely no where to turn if people are acting like animals. We all know the NRP don't care.

Here's what I don't like:
Everyone seems to smoke darts and it's disgusting. So, in the summer, I can't even use the backyard or front yard with my kids because every smoker thinks they have entitlement to sit out there each and every day stinking up the place. I resent it. The majority of tennants are Islamic people. They celebrate Ramadan for a whole 30 days VERY LOUDLY. They'll have you up until 3:00 am because frankly, they feel their right to worship is more important than the other tenants, which they've told the landlord, which has then been told to me. Because their values are not of that of a person who is culturally Canadian, they don't take issue if their kids play in your yard, hop over your fence. They do not mind if their celebrations keep you up until 4:00 a.m. on a Monday, and you have to get your butt out of bed at 7:30 a m. because you're not the one collecting government assistance, you actually have to go to a job and pay taxes. Just the facts.

Most people living here have no vested interest in the health or safety of their children. They let even the littlest ones roam around on weeknights until 9 or 10 p.m, on bikes, with no helmets. They speed around so fast in the "road" area, which they aren't supposed to. I'm always worried I'm going to run someone over. These parents could at least provide helmets and check on their children.

Also, the random check-ins give me major anxiety and leave me scrambling to clean up because I never feel like I can just live my life or be myself. When our pipes in our kitchen broke, they didn't actually fix anything, some guy just came and went on the basement and hot the pipes with a hammer. Wasn't what I would have done. A huge issue to me is the tile in the kitchen, hallway, and dining area. SUPER SLIPPERY even with a drop of water on it, and it could honestly cause a serious life threatening injury. I hate it. The typical b.s. of owners choosing the cheapest stuff at the expense of people living there, but it's not the owners I take issue with. Mr. Hume and his wife are very respectful people who put a lot of dignity into the property. Sadly it's the new landlords who are only half-invested and let the worst of the worst and the most disrespectful people live here. Really starting to feel like a grimey Hamilton townhouse complex. I think better screening of potential tenants would be key.

This is a place for families, but I do say open minded families that don't mind cultural diversity, and don't mind living around middle eastern people, because I'm aware some Canadians just don't want that. I'm definitely feeling taxed by the noise issues and inconsiderate behavior.

Very friendly people, patient and flexible managers. Willing to show place more then once and be accommodating to dates i needed. Helpful and patient. Property very well kept and neighbors quiet and friendly.

So far so good. Very quiet. They keep the exterior very clean. Repairs have been done as quick as we submit them.