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Living in Ottawa, Canada:
Tips for Moving and Visiting

28 local experts
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If you've been wondering what it's like to live in or visit Ottawa, the Crowdsourced Explorer community can help. We asked 28 people living in Ottawa what someone who is considering moving to or visiting there should know. Here are their pros and cons, tips, and advice:

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28 comments on “Ottawa”

Great green space, quiet in regards to nightlife. A good place if you want to work for the government and spend time outside.

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Be ready to pay a lot for rent In Ottawa. It is very safe, nice and diverse but pricey.

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Ottawa is a government town where a working knowledge of Canada’s official languages is advantageous. In comparison with Toronto, Ottawa has plenty of green space for the adventurous outdoor enthusiast and the housing prices are competitive with other big cities. Ottawa is a welcoming city where anyone can find activities for every season.

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Patrick, says: 2020

Ottawa is a big and beautiful city. The crime rates are very low, making it a safe city. The citizens are lovely people who are very welcoming. There are many museums and parks to visit. Downtown is a busy place, with amazing restaurants. Overall, Ottawa is an incredible city.

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Samantha, says: 2020

Ottawa is a beautiful city! There is a lot to do and see, such as taking a stroll around the ByWard Market and having a delicious ice cream cone in the heart of downtown. Please don’t forget to visit the Art Gallery!

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Rohail, says: 2020

It is quite easy to say that Ottawa is an astonishingly terrible city. Firstly, the weather here goes from pouring rain to sunny in approximately 20 minutes. if you want to be entertained out of your house, it will probably have to be in another city. Ottawa is known for its lackadaisical amusements. Finally, the constant traffic makes every other city in Ontario more appealing than this.

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Ottawa is a beautiful and affordable place. It is Canada’s Capital city. People are very nice and welcoming. A person looking to stay in a nice and quiet place, this would be the perfect location for them. There are a lot of museums and outdoor locations. In love with this city.

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Amanda, says: 2020

Ottawa has all the amenities of a large city, with a small-town feel. Its abundant green spaces and trails provide outdoor spaces for leisure activities; the many museums and historical buildings give ample indoor options to explore. With federal government, military, and three universities, Ottawa is always bustling with new people.

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Sébastien, says: 2020

As the capital of Canada, Ottawa is home to Canada’s parliament and is a popular tourist destination. The city is known for its large parks and green spaces, and the long canal that runs through the city center. Ottawa has many annual festivals and events including Winterlude, a popular winter festival.

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Ottawa is a nice city. There are many great jobs working in government positions. It is also a great place to raise a family. One of the best things about Ottawa is the affordability of housing. A three-bedroom house costs less here than in cities such as Toronto and Vancouver.

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The cost of living in Ottawa has been rising over the last few years. You will pay significantly more for a one-bedroom apartment than you may have ten years ago. You should also be aware that Ottawa is a very suburban city, and that many listings may be found on the outskirts of the city.

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Beulah, says: 2020

Ottawa is the capital of Canada. Many people say Ottawa has the best shawarma and poutine. There are many places to visit in Ottawa for example, the parliament building, the Ottawa river, and the long country roads. The best part about Ottawa is that mostly everyone is polite and nice.

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Nadira, says: 2020

Anyone moving here should know it’s cold in winter. It’s not just any kind of cold, though. It’s the kind of cold that gets deep into the bones. For that reason, nobody should move to my city. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of doing so, and I laugh at them.

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Amanbir, says: 2020

Someone moving to Ottawa should know it is a government town. The cost of living can be higher than your average city. That being said, Ottawa is beautiful and lush with lots of green space. In addition to this, Ottawa has a wide variety of restaurants and activities to participate in, in any season.

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The city is a medium-sized city within Ontario. A lot of government offices are in this town. The Rideau Canal is a great landmark to visit! There is a lot to do on foot Downtown Ottawa. If you fancy adventuring into the province of Quebec, Gatineau is very close. You can also visit Calypso if you want to go to a water park close to the city.

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Rohail, says: 2020

People Considering moving to Ottawa should know the following things. There are only two seasons: winter and road construction. There are few food dishes that can be considered local cuisine, but there is a large number of shawarma restaurants and a dense cluster of pho restaurants. The downtown bar scene is quiet on weekdays because Ottawa is a government town and a huge segment of the population gets up early the next morning.

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Ottawa is the capital of Canada. Along the border between the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec, Ottawa is a beautiful city with history, culture, and a mix of French and English influences. Ottawa has a population of just over one million people, with beautiful summers and snowy, cold winters.

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Maideyi, says: 2020

Survey data regularly shows that Ottawa is ranked highly on measures of quality of life. With plenty of government jobs available, both poverty levels and unemployment rates remain low. The city is also fortunate to have access to plenty of parks and outdoor activities. However, housing prices have been rising rapidly over the last two years, which can be challenging for anyone looking to start a life in the city on a budget.

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it has been named the coldest capital in the world. The weather here has a mischievous streak and enjoys playing pranks on unsuspecting residents – you might think spring has come, but you would likely need your jacket and scarf the very next day!

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Ottawa, Ontario, is Canada’s capital city. I have grown to appreciate its beauty. Ottawa is in a valley and surrounded by National and Provincial Parks. All seasons offer a variety of outdoor and community activities. In winter, the Ottawa region is host to Winterlude, a renowned winter festival. Skiing is abundant in the surrounding hills, and the Rideau Canal is the world’s longest outdoor skating rink. Summer offers numerous festivals from the Tulip festival to cultural festivals such as the Greek Festival, the Italian Festival, The Franco-Ontarian Festival. Being the nation’s capital, Ottawa offers services in English and French. It has a large minority community, making it a multicultural city. In addition to this, it has a great job market, schools, transit system, and so much more. I can confidently say that Ottawa is one of the greatest cities to raise a family or to start your life as a young executive.

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Ottawa is a gorgeous and clean city, in the Eastern part of the province of Ontario. It is most notably known as the capital of Canada and is home to the country’s federal parliament buildings and many foreign embassies. Although technically a separate city, Gatineau is separated from Ottawa only by a river which serves as the border between Ontario and Quebec.

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Lauren, says: 2020

Ottawa is the capital of Canada in the province of Ontario. It is a beautiful city with many great activities to partake in. Ottawa is a city with an exciting nightlife in the Byward Market. Ottawa has the best of both worlds, with close vicinity to country style living and bustling city life. Ottawa is a very safe city with a humbling community. I recommend Ottawa to anybody looking for a wonderful place to call their home.

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Lesley, says: 2020

When looking to move to Ottawa, it is important to understand the importance of speaking French. Many people living within the city and the surrounding area speak It daily. It is very useful if you speak and understand French, especially when applying for a job.

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Jacklyn, says: 2020

Ottawa is the capital of Canada, which comes as a surprise to many people. Ottawa is home to the longest skating rink in the world, the Rideau Canal. Ottawa hosts many festivals throughout the year that take place across all four seasons; Winterlude in February, The Tulip Festival in May, Canada Day in July and the Festival of Colours in October. It really is a wonderful place!

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Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is the site of a number of important national museums and historic sites, such as the Canadian Museum of History and the National Gallery of Canada. The city hosts several annual festivals, including Winterlude and the Tulip Festival, and there is an abundance of green space. Winters are, however, very cold, and despite the recent opening of a new light rail line, public transit is slow and inconvenient.

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Ottawa is a beautiful, diverse, and welcoming city. I have no intention of leaving Ottawa. The combination of urban and rural dwellings and the welcoming and kind people who make up this city makes Ottawa an ideal location.

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Due to its remarkable tourist sites and natural scenery, Ottawa is an incredible place. Apart from physically attractive sites, the hospitable people and communities it encompasses allows the city to make visitors feel safe and content. Although it has several inhabitants, Ottawa has been able to maintain its peace, and obtain its reputation as a calm city.

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Ottawa is a beautiful place. It is the capital of Canada and is known for its beautiful scenery and various cultures. Everyone living in Ottawa loves everything about it and would never move out. If you have kids, the schooling system is magnificent, with some of the highest rated schools in the country being located here. Ottawa’s housing is not too expensive, perfect for newcomers.

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