May 5th, 2022 | Buying
5 Reasons to Relocate to Ottawa
Once known as a sleepy government town with little to offer compared to Canada’s more metropolitan areas like Toronto and Montreal, Ottawa’s rising popularity is more of a ‘slow burn’ than a meteoric shift.
Ottawa’s unassuming atmosphere and small-town-in-a-big-city vibe makes it a hidden gem compared to other cities in Canada. Its residents are passionate about the great things Ottawa has to offer. As more people see Ottawa through the eyes of its locals, it’s becoming more beloved as both a tourist destination and a place to call home.
Are you thinking about a move and wondering if the ‘613’ is the right fit for you? Here are 5 reasons to relocate to Ottawa.
1. The Stable Economy
Ottawa is primarily considered a government town. The federal government, Parliament, and Supreme Court are all located here. It’s common in Ottawa to live next door to public servants on all sides. Additionally, a career in the government is considered aspirational for many.
However, Ottawa doesn’t only rely on politics. The city is also known as a tech hub. The Kanata North Technology Park is Canada’s largest tech park. It’s home to many global companies including Ericsson, Avast, Blackberry, Cisco, Trend Micro, Mitel, Nordion, and more.
Ottawa is also a haven for those with an entrepreneurial spirit. Home to countless start-ups that have made a huge impact on a global scale, the city truly fosters innovation with support for these growing disruptors. Big names like Assent Compliance, Pythian, Klipfolio, and Shopify all got their start in Ottawa.
Ottawa is also home to several highly-regarded post-secondary institutions including Carleton University, University of Ottawa, and Algonquin College. These schools also significantly contribute to the workforce in the area.
With such variety, Ottawa enjoys a stable economy. According to the 2016 census, the median household income in Ottawa was $102,000. This is the second-highest family income among Canada’s major cities and is above average for the country.
Discover how we help buyers in Ottawa with these great resources:
2. The Housing Options
Although Ottawa boasts the second-highest family income in the country, its housing costs are comparatively low. The same 2016 census reported family housing costs at $349,000. This is thanks, in part, to Ottawa’s unique neighbourhoods.
In 2001 the city was amalgamated to include neighbouring villages and towns including Gloucester, Cumberland, Kanata, Rockcliffe Park, Vanier, Nepean, and more. Each one of these distinct neighbourhoods has its own atmosphere and affordability. Which helps Ottawa appeal to a wider range of homeowners.
Whether you are looking for a country estate, suburban home, trendy townhouse or modern condo, there’s a neighbourhood in Ottawa for you. Additionally, home prices in Ottawa are significantly more affordable than in other Ontario cities.
For example, in March 2022, the average home price in Ottawa was about $850,000. In Toronto, the average price was almost $1.3 million.
Want to learn more about our favourite Ottawa neighbourhoods? Read our complete guide to moving to Ottawa here.
3. The Community Vibe
Every city has events and community gatherings. It’s a staple of our society. However, in Ottawa, we do things a little differently. Being positioned between the hustle and bustle of Toronto and the chic European atmosphere in Montreal, Ottawa has always felt like it has something to prove.
As a result, Ottawa has extreme pride in the local scene. We celebrate our artists, we love supporting local businesses, and we applaud individuals who work to make our communities great.
In addition to huge events that draw crowds from across the country like Ottawa’s Canada Day Festivities, Bluesfest, and the Tulip Festival, Ottawa has countless other events throughout the year designed to celebrate and educate. Some of our favourites include Taste of Wellington, 613 Flea, The Ottawa Lebanese Festival, and Ottawa Italian Week (complete with a procession of red Ferraris driving down Preston Street!)
There are also numerous smaller gatherings that have gained momentum, turning into massive events that the entire community looks forward to. HOPE Volleyball, The Dragon Boat Festival, and the infamous Great Glebe Garage Sale are just a few of the local gems that we can’t wait to attend.
The Glebe is one of Ottawa’s oldest and most iconic neighbourhoods. Learn more about this safe and walkable community on our blog here.
4. The Bourgeoning Food Scene
Looking at how many amazing restaurants have opened in Ottawa over the past several years, one could reasonably conclude that Ottawa is a city of foodies. Supporting local restaurants is a pastime for many residents, and there is a fantastic food scene to choose from.
Maybe you’d like to rub elbows with the Prime Minister or professional athletes at the cozy and comfortable North and Navy or enjoy a curated selection of oysters at one of the two Whalesbone locations (one on Bank Street and one on Elgin). While on Elgin, enjoy a fantastic dining experience at Town, and then head around the corner to its sister spot, Citizen for a friendly vibe and a drink.
You can also enjoy casual dining and unique cocktails at Union 613 on Somerset West or have a completely unique culinary experience upstairs at Jabberwocky Supper Club. There’s something for everyone.
It’s not all fine dining and expensive wines. Local favourites like Corner Peach, Parlour, and The Third are all serving up cool and trendy atmospheres with elevated takes on your favourite casse-croûte staples.
Ottawa is also home to several award-winning chefs including Chef Joe Thottungal from Thali, Coconut Lagoon and Chef Marc Lepine from Atelier. One thing is for sure, if Ottawa continues to make its mark as a food destination, we should see even more chefs added to the list of celebrated local culinary masters!
Our blog is full of excellent resources to help you on your buying journey. Here are a few blogs worth reading:
- Moving with Pets: What You Need to Know
- New Construction vs. Resale Homes
- 6 Advantages of Older Homes
5. The Healthy Lifestyle
With all the wining and dining, we’d forgive you for thinking that Ottawa is a town known for sleeping in late on the weekends. But it’s just not true.
The city truly shines when it comes to enjoying the outdoors. Whether it’s renting paddleboards or pedal boats at Dow’s Lake, jogging through the Greenbelt, or enjoying the city’s numerous bike paths on a sunny day, there’s always something interesting happening outside.
The Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend is one of the biggest marathon running weekends. The weekend is capped off by the exciting Tartan Ottawa International Marathon, Canada’s largest Boston Marathon qualifier.
The CN Cycle for CHEO is a massive cycling fundraising event for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Participants can cycle their choice of a 15km, 30km, or 70km route. In 2022, Cycle for CHEO raised an impressive $1.4 million for the organization!
Have you heard of ‘Sunday Funday’? In Ottawa, we have ‘Sunday Bike Day’. Expanded to be all weekend in 2020, the National Capital Commission (NCC) closes various parkways in Ottawa and Gatineau to cars and opens them to fun! You can bike, walk, rollerskate, roller ski, or skateboard along the Sir. John A. MacDonald Parkway, Sir Georges-Étienne Cartier Parkway, Colonel By Drive and the Gatineau Park.
Bonus: We’ve Got More to Offer Right Across the River
While we’re on the topic of Gatineau Park, did you know that Ottawa has its very own provincial park just moments from downtown? Gatineau Park is located about 15-20 minutes from Downtown Ottawa in Quebec. The park is much beloved by locals and tourists and boasts hundreds of kilometres of hiking, road biking, and mountain biking trails. Enjoy the beautiful lakes, and beaches, and take in the spectacle of nature just a short drive or bike from home. You absolutely need to see the view from Champlain Lookout. It will take your breath away.
Anything but boring, Ottawa has the diversity, affordability, and incredible amenities to make it one of the best places to live in Canada. Don’t just take our word for it. If you’re interested in relocating to Ottawa, contact us today and let the Chell Team help make it happen.
Check out our latest Ottawa real estate listings here or feel free to contact us to learn more about moving to Ottawa.
