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Amelia Ward living

Raising a family in Ottawa -thoughts?

The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. Worth the trade-offs? TIA! Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
3 upvotes

9 Replies

Ariana Nguyen
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much reasonable but now it's excellent.
40 upvotes
Jace Hughes
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Elizabeth Nguyen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a project manager who relocated here from Nashville about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options

Cons that are real:
- Bugs and humidity in summer
- Far from beaches/mountains

Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is tough.

Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Everett R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to San Francisco it's tough.
26 upvotes
Josiah
yep
19 upvotes
Sadie Williams
Bought a house here in 2018 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
13 upvotes
Kayden E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a chef, 37, moved here 1 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Highland and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Atlanta, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
5 upvotes
Thomas Cook
literally same
3 upvotes
William Reed
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
0 upvotes
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