Life in Ottawa can be extremely busy yet exciting. For many people who dream of coming to Canada, living in Ottawa will be like a dream come true because of its reputation as Canada’s national capital. Ottawa’s vastness and diversity are key factors that help an immigrant choose this city among all other cities.
Ottawa’s location
Ottawa lies in the eastern part of the Southern region of Ontario. It takes around five hours to reach Ottawa from Toronto, whereas it takes 2 hours from Montreal. Ottawa is also the largest city in Ontario province. The city also borders Gatineau, Quebec. Gatineau and Ottawa both develop the NCR.
Life in Ottawa- some more facts
Initially, Ottawa emerged as Bytown in 1826; however, later on, it was known as Ottawa in 1855. In 1867, Ottawa established itself as the capital city of Canada under the Confederation.
New immigrants prefer Ottawa because of its multicultural set-up and bilingualism. 50 percent of individuals speak English, while 30 percent of them prefer to speak in the French language.
A few other factors that attract immigrants to this city include the ever-flourishing economy and endless career options in the government and tech industries.
Ottawa even acquired a few top rankings; for instance, it is known to be the second-cleanest city in Canada, while it is the world’s third-cleanest city.
The city is also renowned for its good quality lifestyle, with the 14th rank worldwide. Carleton University, as well as the University of Ottawa, are incredibly vibrant and youthful. Canada’s capital city owns a reputation for its picturesque architecture, busy downtown, and tempting neighborhood regions.
Population in Ottawa
Ottawa ranks in the 6th position in terms of its population size in Canada. According to the 2021 Census, its population is 1,017,449 people. Additionally, the metropolitan area between Ottawa and Gatineau comprises more than 1.4 million residents.
Great career opportunities in Ottawa
Ottawa continues to witness steady employment growth compared to other cities in Ontario. The unemployment rate accounts for just 4.6 percent compared to November 2021. As recorded by the Real Estate Board in Ottawa, this unemployment rate is much lower than the national average unemployment rate of 6.7 percent. The booming industries in this city include Technology, E-Commerce, Real Estate, Government, Public Services, and Construction.
Housing market prevalent in Ottawa
The housing market in Ottawa provides numerous different housing alternatives to new immigrants. Moreover, 40 percent of the properties available in the city are detached houses. The rest of the houses fall under different types, including condos, townhomes, apartments, and semi-detached houses.
Presently, the property purchasing cost in Ottawa is increasing, while the estimated average housing price in the city in 2021 is $725,200. The increase in housing prices accounts for 20.7 percent, and this rise occurred year after year. The average price of a detached home for a single family is $856,900. The average price for purchasing a Condo is $414,700.
These available housing prices are still less expensive compared to GTA and Vancouver.
Lifestyle in Ottawa- is it affordable?
Ottawa falls under the category of a safe, secure, and welcoming city. It does have a less costly standard of living. The monthly rental price for a one-bedroom apartment can fall anywhere between $1,200 and $1,600. Hence, the price will undoubtedly rise for a three-bedroom apartment. However, these costs will vary depending largely upon your preferences, the number of people residing, and other specific criteria. Local universities form an intrinsic part of Ottawa. Therefore, more affordable housing also prevails in the city. Additionally, the rental cost will include various things such as electricity, internet, and refuse.
On the other hand, eating outside and grocery items usually cost more specifically for those residing in the city. Besides this, popular areas surrounding the city and tourist attractions will cost you as much as $10 for foreign imports. However, beer will only cost around $6.
People usually prefer to provide a tip in the city based on 15 to 20 percent for good services, whereas the local sales tax will combine under the federal and provincial tax accounting for 13 percent.
Special characteristics of Ottawa
Ottawa ranks in the 6th position in terms of its population size in Canada. According to the 2021 Census, its population is 1,017,449 people. Additionally, the metropolitan area between Ottawa and Gatineau comprises more than 1.4 million residents.
A clean and interesting city
Life in Ottawa implies that immigrants will get to reside in a cleaner city offering impressive walkways, marvelous scenic trails, bike lanes, and running pathways in the Rideau Canal. This canal is now also the longest skating rink existing in the world. Several tourists come here to experience the adventure and it is obviously already popular among Canadians living here.
Encourages fitness
Several roads prevalent in Ottawa consist of biking lanes. Hence, bikers and cyclists can experience seamless rides free of traffic. It also shares a ‘Capital Pathway’ with Gatineau. This pathway opens into a 22 km path. Most natives enjoy a healthy life in Ottawa due to their everyday fitness routine, including skating, cycling, and jogging.
The public transit system in Ottawa
OC Transpo runs Ottawa’s rapid public transit system, including bus, light, and medium rail lines. The bus services are usually available seven days per week and have an excellent connection with its prime neighborhood regions and Gatineau.
The city comprises a variety of highways, including part of the famous Trans-Canada Highway. Apart from highways, several parkways also exist in the city, such as Aviation Parkway, Queen Elizabeth Driveway, and Rockcliffe Parkway.
Architecture prevalent in Ottawa
Ottawa is home to some highly breathtaking buildings, with their antique and innovative designs. Visitors must experience the free Parliament tour and get a unique view of Ottawa and Gatineau. Walking through Sparks Street or Wellington Street is yet another extraordinary experience.
Conclusion
Ottawa is one of the most preferred cities in Canada, specifically for newcomers. Immigrants mainly choose this city include multiculturalism, diversity, and the warmth its people show toward newcomers. Besides this, the town also consists of engineers, scientists, and PhDs. The tech industry is flourishing and offers several job opportunities to newcomers from diverse backgrounds. Immigrating to Ottawa can be easy through the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program.
