Alright, I'm a college student here and With a population of 12,632, Ottawa is a small town. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Is this normal for Ottawa? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up.
5 upvotes
11 Replies
Eleanor
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Portland it's decent.
38 upvotes
Mia Watson
Moved here from Dallas about 1 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to cultural scene but Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Joshua E.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Boston about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is average.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Xavier Lopez
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's been a really good experience overall.
22 upvotes
Julia Long
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from New York about 10 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Zoey Patel
Bought a house here in 2017 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
6 upvotes
Mia Chavez
underrated comment
4 upvotes
Jordan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Gabriel Cook
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
2 upvotes
Eva Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Miami about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
1 upvotes
Connor Scott
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community vibe is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
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