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.
Top attractions
Name
Description here
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
