Tucked away in a corner in downtown London is where Big Blue Bubble has called home for over 10 years. While London, Ontario might not have a palace or a Big Ben to help us check the time, it does have the perfect balance between a city feel and small community living. This Southwestern city is the perfect place to begin a new fresh start.
London, Ontario is the 6th largest city in Ontario with a population of 380,000. It gets its name, The Forest City, from its founders choosing to create the city in the middle of a forest. It’s beautiful greenery still holds true to this day. London’s neighbourhoods are unique, its population diverse, and amenities are abundant.
Here’s a quick list about what makes London, Ontario the perfect place to call home:
Trails
Festivities
Location
Food
Careers
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Trails on End
If cities had beauty traits, London’s trails would be its number one feature. This city boasts numerous trails and paths that are sure to appeal to everyone from the avid hiker to the casual walker.
If you are looking to start small, enjoy London’s parks. With over 350 parks across the city, there is something for everyone. Big Blue Bubble’s offices are within walking distance to some of the most accessible parks in the city. Enjoy a picnic in Victoria Park, check out the cherry blossom trees in Ivey Park, or connect to the Thames Valley Parkway where you have access to over 40 kilometers of trail.
Want to test out your new hiking boots? London, has that too! You don’t have to travel far to experience all that nature has to offer. Within city limits, you can experience London’s largest park, Springbank, with over 30 kilometers of trails to explore. The Fanshawe Conservation Area gives hikers the chance to stretch out their city legs with over 20 kilometers of biking and hiking trails. If you’ve seen one too many trees and shrubs, spend the day walking through London’s Sifton Bog. This wetland trail gives hikers a much needed contrast to the boreal forest.
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Festival Season
As Londoner’s creep out from their Winter slumbersand the weather trends upwards, the weekends begin to fill with festivals and cultural events that take place all over the city. From music, food, and culture, there is something for everyone.
TD Sunfest has been a staple in the festival scene in London for over 30 years. Experience music from around the world without even traveling outside city limits. This festival brings in over 200,000 visitors from all over the province and showcases over 30 acts of music from Canada and around the world. The best part? It’s free!
Get ready to sink your teeth into London’s multiple food festivals that take place throughout the summer. Canada’s first and biggest Ribfest happens every summer in the heart of London, Victoria Park. Dunk your face into some delicious barbeque sauced ribs as you walk down Ribbers Row, and quench your thirst afterwards in the craft beer tent! If you are wanting to expand your palate, London’s International Food Fest will have you tasting over 100’s of different types of food from all over the world. Bring your appetite!
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in a story, look no further than London’s Fringe Festival. This annual theatre, music, film, and visual festival brings local and national artists to stages across London. With over 40 plays to attend throughout the entire festival, you are sure to find something here to entertain you.
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Location, Location, Location
It’s what we hear whenever we’re looking for a new place to call home: it’s all about the location. How far away are you from major cities, airports, lakes and wilderness can impact which city you choose. London offers the ideal location for people who are looking to experience city living with the feeling of a small community. It’s also a drive away from major amenities and attractions!
London is located perfectly. Looking for a weekend getaway? Both Toronto and Niagara are just a short 2 hour drive from London. Need to grab a flight? London’s International Airport can connect you with major international airports and cities across Canada and around the world.
Want to escape to the beach? Take a 1 hour drive to Grand Bend. This beach is considered one of Canada’s best beach towns as it has everything you could need to spend a day on the sand. Even National Geographic agrees! It ranked Grand Bend to have one of the best sunsets in the world!
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Some Foodie for Thought
London’s diverse population has helped to expand the city’s palate with delicious plates of authentic food from around the world. These independent restaurants provide Londoners with a taste from Mexico, Portugal, Nepal, China, and Italy, and more.
Get your taste buds ready for an explosion of flavour when you enter The Early Bird. This local hotspot is known for its funky decor and mouth watering offers. This local eatery was also featured on the Food Network’s You Gotta Eat Here show. We recommend arriving early and ordering Fat Elvis for breakfast, ordering the Turducken Club for lunch and then collapsing from food goodness. If you have a craving for tacos and nachos, head over to its sister restaurant, Los Lobos. Grab your friends, enjoy margaritas, and share a plate of their famous nachos.
If you consider yourself a wine connoisseur, a must-stop is the London Wine Bar. Owners Mario and Laure have taken their passion for wine, travel, and food and blessed the city with their curated list of wine and food pairings. If you want to go on your own foodie hunt, The Market at Western Fair District is the place to be. Located in the heart of Old East Village, this market is known for its farm-fresh goods, international cuisine options, and local artisan vendors. Open on the weekends, it’s a must-stop for any Londonder!
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Call London Home
Whether you are looking to get out in nature, immerse yourself in the arts, or taste a new dish, The Forest City has so much to offer.
Walk our numerous trails or visit some of the many unique neighborhoods that hold their own gems within the city. You can experience the world within the city limits through food, performances, and music.