[kspacewalk2]

>-Waterloo has seen serious decline since the death of RIM

>-Not sure it will ever come back, most people including myself left years ago.

I think you overestimate Waterloo's decline just a tad, perhaps your perception being coloured by leaving it. I assure you, it's thriving and in many ways better than the early 2000s when I went to UW. Including the condo boom you mention, though I'm puzzled why you think this somehow hurts walkability.

But yes, Lester street is unrecognizable and every single house I lived in between 2002 and 2007 is gone.

[wizee]

Agreed 100%. Waterloo has grown substantially over the last 15 years, and is generally thriving. The condo boom and general increase in density has only increased walkability. Most of these condos have ground level retail too. The light rail is also a nice addition.

As RIM/Blackberry declined, a whole ecosystem of startups emerged started or staffed by ex-RIM folks. The universities have also grown substantially.