28 Reasons I Love Hamilton... Reason 27

Why write 28 reasons I love Hamilton?

1. Hamilton is a CITY.
2. Location
3. Size (population)
4. Scale
5. Creativity and the arts
6. Buildings
7. Nature
8. Film industry
9. Markets and restaurants
10. Trails, paths, and running routes
11. Gore Park
12. Climate
13. Safety
14. Landscapes and views
15. The ability to live modestly
16. Sports teams
17. Schools
18. Entertainment options
19. The churches and (other faith groups)
20. Festivals and events
21. History
22. Waterfront
23. Small businesses
24. Coffee
25. Being a real part of change
26. Anyone can be active and green.

27. The people.

I've lived in towns, suburbs, and cities small and large.
I've spent time with people of many different professions and economic classes.
I've been in places where the "norm" was vastly different than it was here.

And my favorite part of Hamilton is the people.

By and large, there's a work ethic that puts its head down and gets things done.
There's an unpretentiousness that says "join us" instead of sticking its nose up
There's a down-to-earth attitude and honesty among many.

And for good or ill, there's a tenacity. Once people get an idea in their heads, it's very hard to shake. And while that can lead to a stubborn resistance to good things -- very often it manifests by people doing what they have to do, over and over again. If it's applied in the right direction, I love and resonate with that tenacity.

And there's great diversity. Within a few kilometres of me, there's people that make nothing and people that make millions. Some have gone from rags to riches, and some have done the reverse.

I like that this is a city where you can know a lot of people's names.
I like that this is a city where the average person can accomplish a lot.
I like that this is a city where people have seen enough empty promises to be suspicious - instead of cities where success is so common they fall for any promise.
And I like that this is a city where most people hope for change.

And I like that, in spite of division, people here seem to share more common ground - common hopes, common fears, common goals - for themselves and the city.

It's certainly not a perfect city - and no other one is.

But I love the people here. And that's another reason I love Hamilton.