Hey everyone, With a population of 18,714, Ottawa is a small town. It's a a small town city with about 18,714 people. Poverty rate is 11.9%, which is around average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Any advice would be great. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
3 upvotes
7 Replies
allison_walker
Bought a house here in 2017 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
38 upvotes
Jonathan B.
it depends on the neighborhood
32 upvotes
Santiago Thompson
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
30 upvotes
Aria James
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 4 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Luke King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 24, moved here 7 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Springfield and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Baltimore, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
22 upvotes
Kayla W.
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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