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AHomeAway
A stay you will want to talk about!
See what others have to say about their stay at Home Away.
Janice (August 2013)
Highly recommended for visiting artists. Comfy bed and tons of artisan work everywhere to ogle at. Joanne is a darling but she wouldn't let me take her lovely cats home.
Luciane (visiting researcher from Brazil to McMaster)
Coming to Canada is always a joy. I was fortunate enough to find a hostess with a very good heart, fun, with a clean, organized house in a lovely neighborhood where I could stay during my frequent research trips to McMaster.
The house is quiet and a good place to work with my research partners. The home has a beautiful backyard with a huge tree where squirrels play all day. JoAnn plants a variety of beautiful flowers that provide colors that are very nice to look at. It also has a small place where there are fish with the sound of the water where I sit down to read a good book after work. The most fun is to share a glass of wine with Joann and friends coming to visit.
The fun cats Belle and Zig are adorable and playful!. But they are shy of me. A pity ... I love cats! I will be back again!
Nathalia - (visiting pharmacist from Brazil)
I came to Canada to visit a pharmacy at McMaster University and my friend recommended Joann's guest room.
Joann's house is a gracious place and it's very tidy. Her house is close to the grocery store and the bus stop. There are two lovely cats in her house and a beautiful garden at the backyard. Oh, and Joann is a graceful woman and she's gonna make you feel very welcome during your stay.
Grace - (August 2014)
I stayed with JoAnn for two nights while attending a conference in Oakville. JoAnn provides a wonderful "home away from home" experience.
The home is located in beautiful Dundas--a great place to enjoy an evening walk. JoAnn is a gracious host who does a wonderful job of making you feel welcome and comfortable.
Danielle (September 2014):
"I was staying for one month. The house is well located, near the market and bus stop, on a beautiful and quiet neighborhood. JoAnn is a great hostess and makes possible for you to feel comfortable in her home. Loves to talk about various issues and make suggestions for walks. I'm allergic to cats, but had no problems because JoAnn keeps the house clean and I left the bedroom door closed. Good option for those who like comfort and someone to talk to and discover more about Canada."
Ingrid (visiting student from Brazil to McMaster - September 2014)
I was staying with JoAnn's house throughout the month of September.
The house is located in a beautiful neighborhood, close to the market, bus stop and various stores. Her home is clean, comfortable and tidy.
JoAnn is very nice and friendly.
I loved staying staying with JoAnn and certainly I recommend to anyone who wants a nice environment.
Diane (November 2014)
I stay for business many times. Very convenient to all major highways going to Toronto or Niagara Falls. Located on a quiet street. Short walk or drive to downtown Dundas where there are a nice selection of restaurants and shops or you can eat in with access to the kitchen,BBQ . A great backyard to enjoy the tranquility of a summer evening. Always a gracious host.
Diana (Hydro One employee - lived in Dundas during the week and commuted to her home on the weekends - Feb 2015-May 2015)
I found out about JoAnn’s place through a mutual friend – and sadly it wasn’t earlier in life!
I loved staying at this place. The home is very comfortable and offers all of the amenities that one needs plus the quiet environment to relax after a long day of work or school. I would recommend this place to a mature student or a young professional who is focused on their career goals and needs the quiet/relaxing environment.
JoAnn has two lovely cats who keep to themselves but can be friendly also. The neighborhood is super safe and very close to outdoor activities such as the rail trail and a shopping plaza which offers a variety of stores - all within walking distance.
The pricing to stay with JoAnn is fair and very affordable and she is very pleasant to chat with. I wish I had met her sooner so that I could have spent the entire year here…. It has truly been lovely! I highly recommend it.
Leandro - (December 2015)
I stayed at JoAnn's apartment for 3 weeks. The whole experience made my visit to McMaster much nicer. Since the very first contacts by email to my last day it couldn't have been better.
Upon arrival I found a very well set and clean apartment, with everything you need in a house.
Location is very convenient, 2 blocks from bus stops. I actually used the buses only once, because there is a SoBi bike station in the mall 4 blocks from the house. Sobi bikes are the shared bicycle system of Hamilton that make life so much easier and healthier. You pay a small monthly fee and can ride one hour per day, more than enough for return trips to Mac. The mall also has a supermarket and several shops. I found there everything I needed.
One block from the house is the Railway trail, great for jogging or for a walk.
JoAnn is extremely nice. She was very helpful in every aspect and became a good friend. She shares her house with Zig and Bella, two felines that unfortunately were not too friendly with me. Always trust cat lovers.
In short, I strongly recommend JoAnn's apartment for people looking for a cozy place in Dundas.
Dr. Sir (January 2016 - June 2016)
My friend booked this basement apartment for me while I was in India. I instantly liked this fully furnished apartment. It was more than what I expected it to be. Jo was friendly and helpful throughout my stay from January to June 2016.
My wife and daughter who were here in May, too enjoyed their stay thanks to the hospitable nature of our host. My daughter still remembers Jo and appreciates her beautiful home, nice backyard and Bella, her cute cat.
Thanks Jo for making my stay memorable.
Mary Katherine (April 2016 - August 2016) (April 2017-August 2017)
I spent more than four lovely months with JoAnn during the Spring and Summer seasons in 2016 and again in 2017, taking full advantage of the amenities which her cosy home, beautiful garden, friendly neighbourhood, and nature trail-laden ‘town’ provides. JoAnn is thoughtful and respectful, easy-going and direct--as one hopes for when sharing space—with a great sense of humour! The house is well appointed and has a mature, relaxed feel. All in all . . . . a fabulous spot to put-in.
Rachel (Midwifery Student at McMaster University - August - December 2016)
A wonderful home away from home! JoAnn was a wonderful host and her two cats, although shy at first, were wonderful to play with. The room was comfortably furnished and while the weather was still nice it was quite enjoyable to sit in the backyard with my morning cup of coffee. JoAnn is very generous with her home and I always felt like a welcomed and appreciated guest; a peaceful place where I was able to rest after my busy days at school. I also adored chatting with JoAnn about our daily lives and watching British crime dramas or sappy Christmas movies. 27 Hillside Ave comes highly recommended from me!
Nicole (Placement student at McMaster University - September 2017 - January 2018)
I came to Canada because I had the chance to do an Internship at McMaster University in the Department of Biology. As I started to look for Apartments, I saw she rent a room in her house, so I wrote her that I am still in Germany and if it is possible to talk via skype. She was really awesome and helpful. She directly said sure, that is not a problem. So after the skype talk I got the room. I was really happy about that. At the time where I arrived in Hamilton, she was really helpful and she showed me some places where I can go to buy some food or she also gave me tips which Waterfalls I should visit. She also did some different trips with me, for example on one weekend we drove to lake erie, on the other weekend we drove to Niagara on the lake or we went to some Waterfalls. We did a lot of small trips to different places. I really appreciated, that she went with me to all this beautiful places. It is really easy to life with her. Sometimes we had dinner together, or we just had a nice talk. I would say we had a really great time together. If I have to come back in the future, I would give her a call and I would ask her if I can stay again with her. I really will miss the time with her in Hamilton.
I wish her all the best.
Erin (3rd year Honours Life Sciences Co-op Student at McMaster University - July 2017 - April 2018)
JoAnn's basement apartment is perfect for one person. There is enough room for a double bed, dresser, bookshelf, dining table, and desk, and still have space to move around. The kitchen is well equipped with everything you would need including toaster, microwave, and coffee maker. The apartment is very quiet, which makes it feel like a separate home. There is a closet large enough for clothes and shoes. The bathroom is also a great size with good water pressure and storage space. Street parking is unrestricted and very convenient if you have a car. JoAnn is very quick to respond to any needs that you might have regarding the apartment. I would recommend to anyone!
Lu - visiting Researcher -2018
Canada has become a part of my life, not only because of the scientific research I do in McMaster University, but for the pleasure of living with special friends.
I can´t come to Canada and not go for a hug to a person who became my best friend after so many times that I stayed in her home!.
Being at Joann's house has been very enjoyable as I have had the opportunity to dig deep into Canadian culture. (Every time I stay at her house, Joann helps me get to know a little more about the Hamilton´s area with short trips to very interesting places!).
Joann is a creative, organized hostess who helps us with fantastic ideas to solve everyday problems. Of the last times I met two other lovely guests Mary Katherine (from Canada) and Nuha from Tunesia.
We had good time together talking during their break time and have good tea or wine in the beautiful backyard.
If you are looking for a quiet place, with a beautiful garden, with a comfortable bed, very equipped kitchen and a nice company for a cultured conversation with a good glass of wine, you will surely enjoy staying there. Maybe next time I can meet you there! Cheers!
Nuha - co-op student April-June 2018
I loved JoAnn's place. It is exactly as described and photograhped on the website, spotlessly clean, cosy, well organized and excellent value at an excellent price!
JoAnn herself is a wonderful host kind and considerate. We spent a great times together during the weekends sometimes we do gardening and others we do some outdoor activities like visiting waterfalls in the area or festivals. Moreover, Dundas is a beautiful part of Hamilton and JoAnn’s place is located in a great spot near to the downtown Dundas and university Plaza with a cluster of restaurants and shops around it. I loved every single moment in there. Home is where you feel comfortable and happy. P.S. I will miss the two cats ziggy and bella.
Sara - co-op student Sept to Dec 2018
Whoever came up with "there's no place like home" never spent any time at JoAnn's. They probably should have, because this space truly is a home, even if it's away from home.
I spent four months in this lovely house while working for the City of Hamilton on a co-op term this past fall. Having visited in June, while looking for someplace to stay, I was quickly sold not only by the beautiful, quiet neighbourhood, the large garden and the adorable house, but also by JoAnn's warm hospitality, kindness, and of course - her cats.
Everything you could want in a stay is here. The house is lovely, tidy and clean. Rent is extremely competitive and JoAnn kindly provides many essentials like linens and towels. Its not more than a ten minute walk from a grocery store and 25 minutes by bus from downtown Hamilton.
But best of all, when you walk in, you feel at ease. You will soon find yourself saying, "Yes, this is home."
Being able to live in this house made my co-op and I'm so thankful for it. I shared many laughs and evenings with JoAnn, watching TV and movies together and talking. This experience turned a great co-op term into an amazing one.
So, if you're in the area and find yourself needing a place to stay, this is it. It's definitely a home away from home.
Kelvin - PhD student - Sept 2019 - June 2020
JoAnn is a very welcoming and friendly landlord who addresses issues in a timely manner. In addition, she is very accommodating and understands a certain flexibility within the lease, something that is very difficult to come by with landlords.
Nizia - co-op student Jan 2019 - on-going
I have stayed in the guest room much longer that I first expected. The two cats are lovely (the cutest black cat and the most handsome red cat in the world). They helped me survive during the lockdowns, but at the same time, they respect your personal space. The backyard is peaceful, with a nice deck and a beautiful garden. From time to time, you may be gifted freshly baked cookies; what a bonus!