These former Torontonians chose a more affordable Hamilton. Here's why they are here to stay

Torontonians go to the polls Monday to elect a new mayor, ending a 45-day campaign that saw Hamilton brought into the fold in discussions over Toronto's affordability.

During the campaign, one of the 102 mayoral hopefuls — who is one of the seven leading candidates, according to public opinion polls — framed Hamilton as a second-choice city, a place people are forced to move to when they can't afford to live in Toronto. 

Brad Bradford, the Toronto councillor who was born and raised in Ancaster, Ont., gave out lawn signs that read, "You don't have to move to Hamilton" and made similar innuendos during debates and on social media. 

Bradford told CBC Hamilton the messaging was less about taking a jab at Hamilton and more about underscoring the reality that Toronto is increasingly unaffordable with not enough housing options.

CBC Hamilton spoke to three residents who, in search of more space and cheaper housing, felt like they did have to leave Toronto.

But now they'd like to set the record straight. They all said given the choice, they'd stay exactly where they are — in Hamilton. 

Philippe-Alexandre Seneécal, 50, said his first impression of Hamilton in 2015 was "traumatic." He and his partner drove across the Skyway bridge at night, fire blasting out of the steel mill.

"It looked like the set of the Terminator," he said. "I cried and said 'you aren't serious about taking me here, are you?'"

But here the couple could afford to upgrade from a Toronto townhome to an Old Victorian house on Hess Street in Hamilton and soon Seneécal said he felt at home. When he and his partner ended their relationship a few years ago, he decided to stay.

He said he likes how walkable downtown Hamilton is, as well as the lack of pretentiousness and acceptance of things "less mainstream." He has the freedom to get creative in his garden and added a 30-foot graffiti mural on the side of his house. 

Even after living in 14 countries around the world, Seneécal said he's taken aback by how friendly people in Hamilton are.

"I've never seen people say 'hi' and 'bye' to a bus driver like in Hamilton," he said. "People will yodel from the back of the bus, 'Thank you!' Things like that are so weird and so Hamilton." 

For Hina Shiraz, 29, she loves the quiet of her Stoney Creek neighbourhood where she lives with her husband and four kids. 

In 2017, they left behind a crowded apartment in a busy area of downtown Toronto. She said while they'd been happy, she was worried about her young son's safety, especially when walking him to school on busy streets.