Canada’s capital is a world-class city offering an exciting lifestyle with all the amenities you can imagine. If the opportunity arises, a move to Ottawa could be just what you need to enjoy the lifestyle you’ve always imagined.
However, there are many factors to consider when asking yourself should I move to Ottawa or Toronto. Here we look at the pros and cons of living in Ottawa to help you make the right move.
Advantages of Living in Ottawa
First, let’s take a look at the positives of living in Ottawa:
- Stable Economy: One of the biggest employers in Ottawa is the federal government. As a result, the economy tends to be quite stable as it isn’t dependent on resources or a specific industry like other cities.
- Tourist Attractions: As the capital of Canada, Ottawa offers top-notch tourist attractions you can enjoy. Whether you love museums, art, history, or science, there’s plenty to do on a rainy day in Ottawa. As a world-class city visited regularly by global diplomats, everything is designed to impress.
- Year-Round Outdoor Activities: Whether it is enjoying the many bike paths in the summer, skating on the Rideau Canal in the winter, or hiking in the fall, there is no shortage of outdoor activities any time of the year. Both Ottawa and Hull across the river have kilometres of green space to enjoy. If you love to keep active and enjoy the outdoors you can ski, skate, cross country ski, toboggan and more when the snow is deep. In the spring and summer, you’ll find Ottawa is one of the country’s greenest cities with tons of parks. Also, the lovely Gatineau Hills are just a few minutes away across the river in Quebec.
- Easy Commute: Whether you live downtown or in any of the surrounding Ottawa suburbs, you’ll never face the traffic congestion you’ll experience in Toronto.
- Affordable Housing: If moving to Ottawa, where to live becomes a little easier as housing is far more affordable than in Toronto. You have your fair choice of cool, downtown areas like the Byway Market, the Glebe or Sandy Hill, or you can live further out in the suburbs like Kanata or Dow’s Lake.
One final consideration: Is living in Ottawa expensive? If you compare the Cost of Living Index in Ottawa to other major Canadian cities Ottawa is lower at 62.88 compared to 70.19 in Toronto, 69.63 in Vancouver and 63.52 in Montreal.
Disadvantages of Living In Ottawa
As with any city, Ottawa also has its disadvantages including:
- Less to Do: If you’re coming from a major city like Toronto, you might find there is less to do. There are tons of tourist attractions and museums, but the nightlife is not quite as exciting. There are also fewer live concerts from major performers and although the restaurants are amazing, your options are limited.
- Bilingualism: If you aren’t fluent in French and English it could hold you back from getting one of the better, higher-paying jobs.
- Limited Mass Transit: While you might complain about the TTC living in Toronto, a move to Ottawa might open your eyes a little to just how good you had it.
So, is Ottawa a good place to live? The short answer is yes. If you are looking for the conveniences of a big city, with trendy bars and restaurants, culture, green space and affordable housing, you’ll find all of this in Ottawa. It’s just on a smaller scale.
If you want more tips on moving to Ottawa, or need to hire a trusted moving company to make your move, find a Baeumler Approved mover.
