Alright, I'm a 27-year-old teacher and Household incomes average around $64,655 in Ottawa. You can expect to pay around $949 for rent here. Homes are going for about $165,700 on average. Rent is about $949/month for a decent place. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. Is this normal for Ottawa? The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
3 upvotes
13 Replies
Jordan Hughes
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Highland area are improving. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Xavier W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 15 years. Moved from Phoenix for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Chain restaurants dominate. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Ruby Myers
Bought a house here in 2018 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
31 upvotes
Jacob C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Gianna Martin
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 7 years. Moved from San Diego for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Property taxes are high. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Hannah Smith
nah I disagree
24 upvotes
Alexander Thomas
big facts right here
22 upvotes
Weston
I work in real estate here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is challenging. Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Wyatt White
Moved here last year, no regrets.
19 upvotes
Diana G.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
seattle_sebastian
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Korean places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
14 upvotes
Gianna P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely excellent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
2 upvotes
Skylar Flores
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to New York it's pretty good.
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