About Us

City boy (Toronto lifer) meets California girl.  City boy & California girl fall madly  in love and decide they can no longer live apart.   City boy proproses atop CN Tower and California girl accepts.   California girl quits job, sells everything on craigslist  and moves to Toronto. I know what you're thinking...."Why move from California to toronto?"  To this inquiry, I request that you reread previous line about falling madly in love - ah, the things you do! Anyhow, the two lovebirds settle into their 47th floor nest in the heart of downtown toronto.  After living and loving the urban lifestyle for a year, the two newlyweds decide one year of sharing a closet is one year too many and start exploring up and coming suburban neighborhoods and Barrie Real Estate. 

When we told our friends we were moving north to Barrie, they looked at us like we had 4 heads. "You are moving to Barrie?....Ontario?"  "Have you been there before?"  "You realize Barrie is in the "snow belt" right?"  These and other similar questions came from friends that are now completely conviced their former normal & cool friends have been possessed by country bumpkin demons.  (Might I add - said friends still have yet to visit us in our new home in Barrie....people, it's only a 50 minute drive!!).  Lucky for us though, we now actually have neighbors that talk to us (gasp) and who have offered the most gracious warm welcome any new neighbor could hope for.

So, our move from urban to suburban is going to be quite an adventure and change of pace.  City boy has never had a yard or garage before!   That's right, With our extra closet space, comes extra landscaping, extra rooms to furnish, extra garages, extra tool purchases, and basement finishing duties and countless extra home projects  just to name a few.  California girl has never experienced snow before.  It will be interesting to watch as she discovers that the term "snow belt" is not simply a fashion accessory.  So, you see, we've got a lot to learn here!

Which brings us back to Barrie.  Now one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, we know we aren't alone in the migration from city to suburbia.  Hence, the creation of Barrie Picks.  Why reinvent the wheel?  Join us in our journey from city life to our new suburban lifestyle as we discover the ins and outs of our new town of Barrie, Ontario. We've already begun to discover some really great places and hidden gems for worthy of recognition whether you're a newcomer or a Barrie local.

We hope you enjoy sharing our experience as we discover our Barrie Picks!

cindy & jamie

Do you have a favorite Barrie business?  e.g. restaurant, furniture store, clothing, building, landscaping service or community event?  Please email us your suggestions for Barrie Picks.