Visitor’s Guide for Travellers and Digital Nomads
Collectively known as the Tri-Cities Area (or KW), Kitchener-Waterloo (+ Cambridge) is more formally known as the ‘Region of Waterloo’. Nestled alongside the Grand River and bounded by extensive farmland, this area has evolved from a German colony to a bustling tech hub first seeded by Blackberry. Now embraced by global leaders making KW Canada’s tech hub. Communitech, Accelerator Centre and Catalyst137 round out the support networks for innovators calling Kitchener-Waterloo home.
Nicknamed Canada’s “Technology Triangle” owing to the 3 cities and 3 post-secondary institutions (University of Waterloo, Wilfried Laurier University, and Conestoga College).
In addition, the region is a public transport innovator being one of the smallest Canadian cities with a light rail network: ION as well as supporting bus infrastructure. Excellent connections extend to GO and VIA.
Top attractions
Victoria Park
Historic park located in downtown Kitchener
Connectivity
- Internet speed is fast (slower in rural areas)
- Wi-fi available
- mobile connectivity (good but depends on carrier)
Finances
- Cost of living: medium to visit or stay
- Payments: cards widely accepted, cash widely accepted (but declining)
- Digital payments: with Interac e-Transfer are very popular when paying individuals and small businesses
Good to know …
Transport
- Walkability (good in the within the downtowns of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo)
- Bikeability
- Taxi’s / Rideshare
- Public transport: GRT (ION light rail and rapid bus service)
- Regional and intercity connections: GO Transit (good but mostly on peak)
- Car rental: recommended from airport
Pros
- Small, compact region with a focus on university and college students
- ION light rail acts the pubic transit spine travelling through the downtowns of Waterloo and Kitchener
Cons
- Smaller city with limited big city amenities
- Downtown safety
- ION light rail does not reach downtown Cambridge
