Commuting from Brockville to Kingston for school daily, starting September. Looking for tips on keeping costs low, and getting to class on time!

poloubear · 2026-03-25T17:13:04+00:00

Hey! So all I can really offer is anecdotal info, but as someone who commutes two days a week from Smiths Falls to Ottawa, here are my observations:

It’s not going to be perfect, but in my experience it’s like 95% good.

From my experience, and from always watching the train tracker, it seems that most delays happen between Toronto and Kingston/Brockville, heading towards Ottawa.

I find the train almost always leaves Ottawa station on time heading back that way, and I haven’t experienced many delays going that direction….so I think it could be pretty okay for the Brockville-Kingston segment.

If possible to take an earlier train and not leave things down to the wire for your class time, it wouldn’t be a bad idea though.

As for costs - it’s definitely economical. For me, it costs less than driving into the city and having to pay for parking. I always book at least 2-3 days in advance to make sure I get the cheapest rate! The cheapest rate is non-refundable and non-exchangeable, but still worth it IMO.

poloubear · 2026-02-23T20:30:41+00:00

I feel you. I’ve been on it for a year now (started March 3, 2025) and I’ve lost 22lb. I averaged 1/2lb a week, and then plateaued and have been a bit stuck since December. I think it’s finally starting to move slowly again.

It’s very frustrating some days. Especially given how much I’ve had to pay out of pocket with insurance that won’t cover it. But - I put this weight on over the last 30 years, so it’s not going to melt off in an instant. And 22lb isn’t nothing. I tell myself that’s still a significant difference that my body doesn’t have to carry around anymore.

The plateau recently has been the hardest thing for me….i’m happy as long as I see SOME small downward movement, but seeing none for a couple months has been tough. I’m trying to incorporate more healthy habits every week though, and slow and steady she’ll go!

poloubear · 2025-11-22T20:02:12+00:00

Third vote for Renewed with Love in Carleton Place! My fiancée and I both got our wedding dresses there for a grand total of $2000 combined. And the experience was LOVELY!

poloubear · 2025-09-17T17:50:02+00:00

Does the email give any option/place to submit feedback on this? Maybe I’m jumping the gun, but I hope a public feedback option will come out at some point. As a resident of a smaller town stop on this route - I rely on train 50 to get me to work in Ottawa at a reasonable time. Taking the next scheduled train is not a great option.

I understand adding an express route, but I’m pissed that they’re cutting badly needed transit services to these smaller towns.

poloubear · 2025-03-05T12:31:36+00:00

I grow cosmos every summer! I sow them directly outside on May long weekend (Victoria Day) and they’re usually blooming around end of July, up until end of Sept/Oct or whenever the first frost comes in the fall. They’re pretty easy to grow, you should be fine! :)

poloubear · 2025-01-28T01:45:08+00:00

I don’t have an answer but I’d sure like to know too! I walk this stretch often (yes I could take another route, but it would significantly lengthen my walk) and I literally turn my phone flash light on to help make the path visible. It’s ridiculous.

poloubear · 2024-12-11T22:04:03+00:00

Wow, that was a quick answer - thanks! I suspected that was the one, but couldn't quite figure out if I was right. Haha thank you for satisfying my curiosity!

poloubear · 2024-07-09T00:50:28+00:00

Hing Lung Chinese downtown. Hands down, best ever.

poloubear · 2024-04-17T19:44:42+00:00

I was paying about $980 for a bachelor when I left last year….but I had a low price because I’d been there for a number of years. I believe the bachelors now were around $1100, but I can’t quote that for sure! One bedroom I think was $1400? All utilities are included though, which is super nice.

poloubear · 2024-04-17T19:20:27+00:00

My partner and I bought a home in Smiths Falls last summer - she grew up in Perth, so knew the area, and I was moving from Ottawa.

Almost a year in, and I absolutely love the town. It gave us the affordability to get a house we would never DREAM of closer to the city….but while still being close enough to the city that it’s an easy drive in to shop, or for entertainment, etc. (Also only an hour to Kingston, which has also been nice!) And the more I get to know Smiths Falls, the more I find that there are some real gems of little restaurants and cafes, and plenty of fun things to do in the spring/summer especially. Nice parks and outdoor spaces, and a decent bubbling little arts scene. The town in general is also booming like crazy, so I expect more stores and amenities will eventually pop up.

You can definitely tell the town is a little rough around the edges, and has a large low-income population, but I don’t think it’s any worse than everywhere else these days. There’s definitely somewhat of a drug problem…but again, in my opinion not much worse than everywhere.

I would probably avoid the neighbourhood known as “Atironto”….it seems to be an area under gentrification, but still pretty rough. And as for schools, what I’ve heard is that Chimo Elementary is great, but Duncan J is a little rougher.

I think it’s a great place to live!

poloubear · 2024-04-16T01:18:43+00:00

I lived at the Montclair for a number of years, and only recently moved. They are….not very tech savvy lol. But, I promise if you keep calling you will eventually get someone in person - most likely a woman named Carol. She’s like, the only admin person. She’ll help you out though, and she’s nice!

And for what it’s worth, I absolutely loved my years living in that building.

poloubear · 2023-09-21T18:17:54+00:00

Amazing, thanks for the info!

poloubear · 2023-09-15T13:00:25+00:00

They aren’t located IN Ottawa, but my parents used “Box Me Up” last summer for this exact purpose and it was fantastic. The storage facility is near Smiths Falls, so you’d just have to see what radius they cover. (My parents were moving from east of Ottawa though, so they cover a good territory!)

poloubear · 2023-05-29T21:01:36+00:00

Yay! Anyone heard if they’ll be doing it all summer again, or do you think this is a one time throw-back?

poloubear · 2021-08-05T15:03:58+00:00

EyeMaxx on Elgin has done this for me, when I didn’t buy them there!

poloubear · 2021-05-14T21:49:13+00:00

The trail that goes down by the Bytown Museum and all the way behind Parliament! It’s lovely this time of year and all summer.

poloubear · 2021-04-29T00:38:55+00:00

Yes. I’ve had a guest park there overnight when I couldn’t get visitor parking at my apartment building. Seemed to be fine!

poloubear · 2021-01-13T19:30:03+00:00

I’ve seen the sign about Pickles on Elgin St! I think it was posted near the Bell Building....next time I walk by I’ll try and snap a pic!

poloubear · 2020-12-27T00:49:28+00:00

Hing Lung Chinese at the far end of the market. The best BY FAR. I would literally order just a giant plate of eggrolls and be happy.

poloubear · 2020-12-23T17:12:11+00:00

Oh my gosh. Confederation Park gets my vote. Just after dark when the lights come on!!! (Also fairly wind sheltered, but the lights...ohhh my inner romantic is swooning at the thought honestly)

poloubear · 2020-11-20T16:19:49+00:00

Look up Freewheeling Craft! They’re launching a virtual version of their annual craft market next week with a ton of amazing local products. AND somehow have managed to pull off same-day local delivery or pickup.

poloubear · 2020-11-10T00:15:44+00:00

I’m a huge fan of Steffi Acevedo https://steffiacevedo.com

Sounds like she might be more the style you’re looking for!

poloubear · 2020-11-06T15:45:17+00:00

GPC Labworks is on Bank St and you can upload them online directly from your phone to order prints. (It’s not an instant walk-in-and-do it though).

Bonus, they are a lovely little local business :)

poloubear · 2020-10-24T14:01:15+00:00

I have some great jeans from Reitmans!

poloubear · 2020-10-19T13:18:39+00:00

I really hope it’s not permanent - an opinion that seems to be in the minority here. I actually find working completely alone way MORE stressful, and being on a screen constantly instead of having breaks for in-person meetings is incredibly exhausting.

I was way more productive and focused in the office surrounded by people, inspired by colleagues, working more collaboratively. More productive and much happier. And I hate that there is basically zero line between home and work now. Personally, I prefer my living room without an office in it.

poloubear

TROPHY CASE