April 28th, 2023 | Community
Rural Ottawa or City Living: Which is Right for You?
One of the reasons we love living in Ottawa is its diverse communities. Within a small geographical area, the City of Ottawa has so many different neighbourhoods, villages, hamlets, and even small towns.
For Ottawa residents, this presents an amazing opportunity to live, work, and play in an area that is completely aligned with their lifestyle and interests.
But for some, the question of country living vs. city living in Ottawa might be a bit more complicated! You might feel torn or overwhelmed with your options. Keep reading to learn more about living in rural Ottawa versus living in the city.
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The History of Ottawa’s Rural Communities
Ottawa was amalgamated in 2001, bringing towns like Gloucester, Orleans, Cumberland, Nepean, and Kanata together to form the City of Ottawa. Townships including West Carleton, Goulbourn, Osgoode, and Rideau were also included in the amalgamation in addition to villages such as Rockcliffe Park, North Gower, Greely and more.
Amalgamation did much to promote these rural areas, and as the city continues to grow, rural townships and villages on the outskirts of Ottawa proper are becoming increasingly important and popular among homebuyers.
Even today, small rural communities that 20 years ago were little more than a few main streets and a grocery store have grown in size. Take Kemptville, for instance, it has expanded so much in the past several years to include amenities including big box stores, coffee shops, restaurants, new homes, advanced educational facilities, and more.
The Village of Greely has also experienced a significant uptick in population, with many people choosing to plant roots in this beautiful rural community just southeast of Barrhaven. Discover Greely in our community guide right here.
What’s it Really Like to Live in Rural Ottawa?
Living in rural Ottawa likely conjures up a few images for some people: sprawling corn fields, roadside veggie stands in the summer, and dining out options consisting of one pizza place or the single Tim Horton’s located at the corner of the busiest intersection.
However, rural living in Ottawa is so much more than that. Sure, you may not get the same amenities you would find in trendy Westboro or Hintonburg, but one of the nice things about rural communities in Ottawa is proximity.
Many people choose to live in a rural area and commute to Ottawa when they need a taste of big-city life. In most cases, Ottawa’s rural areas are within a one-hour drive to Ottawa proper, making it an easy trip.
In fact, many people choose to live in a rural area and commute to Ottawa for work. The benefit of living in the country offsets the downside of a longer commute.
But homes in the country are often a little bit different than homes in the city. Here are a few key differences:
- A larger property means a larger yard, which might require more maintenance in the form of lawn care, tree trimming, etc.
- Rural properties are also not connected to city services, and many homes function on a well and septic tank system, which can come with its own set of maintenance requirements.
- Fueling is also different from what you might find in the city. Some rural homes may use propane, oil or even woodstoves as a heating source.
- Your home might also have a sump pump to prevent your basement from taking on water during the spring thaw or periods of heavy rain.
Reasons to Live in Rural Ottawa
If you’re on the fence about living in a rural area vs. staying in the city, you’re not alone! Country living has many pros, however, it’s not for everyone. Here are some of the benefits of living outside the city in rural Ottawa:
- The cost of living is more affordable. Home prices are lower than in highly sought-after urban Ottawa neighbourhoods, and you also might yourself spending less money on things like fancy coffees or nights on the town.
- You will have more space and privacy. Homes in rural areas typically have larger lots and are further apart from neighbouring houses.
- You’ll enjoy a slower lifestyle closer to nature. In the city, it might be difficult to get out and enjoy nature (as green as Ottawa may be!) Living in the country, you’ll experience peace and quiet with less light pollution and noise.
- You can likely still keep your career. Back in the day, one of the primary objections to moving to the countryside was due to fewer job opportunities. But since the pandemic and the popularization of the work-from-home movement, many people can work remotely from anywhere. Most rural Ottawa areas also have high-speed internet too.
If you’re looking for a simpler life in a larger home with more space and privacy and you don’t mind commuting by car, rural living might be perfect for you.
The Perfect Compromise: The Suburbs
If you’re looking for the perfect compromise between having easier access to urban amenities while still enjoying some of the lifestyle benefits of rural Ottawa living, the suburbs might be right for you!
These suburban areas function primarily as residential communities. The core of a metropolitan area like Ottawa would be considered Centretown, with its mixed-use buildings, apartments, offices, and amenities. The suburbs have a greater emphasis on homes and neighbourhoods specifically designed for residents.
Learn more about Ottawa’s fantastic suburbs with these posts next:
Whether you’re looking for rural homes, urban properties, or the perfect suburban compromise, we can help. The Chell Team is your source for expert real estate advice in Ottawa. Give us a call at 613.829.7484 or email mail@chellteam.com today!
