There’s no doubt about it, Ottawa has topped the list of real estate markets to watch in 2018. With it’s ever growing communities, and variety of opportunities for all ages, Ottawa ranks among the world’s most desirable cities to call home. With is diverse neighbourhoods, excellent education system, distinct seasons, and constant opportunities for entertainment, Ottawa gives individuals lots of reasons why they should move here. The real question is: Why not move to Ottawa? The National Capital city is very clean and green, offering unparalleled health services, economic securities and affordable housing options. In a study released by Statistics Canada, Ottawa ranked in the top 10 happiest out of 33 metropolitan areas across the country. If you’re looking for a fresh start, or a place to settle down in, Ottawa has a big city presence with a small town feel, and should be at the top of your lists.
Neighbourhoods
As a diverse city, rich in culture and communities, Ottawa has a variety of neighbourhoods to choose from, each with their own individual experiences. Although the city is close-ranged, the variety in community options creates a city that anyone can find home in. The city offers a wide variety of neighbourhood settings from sophisticated downtown urban lifestyles, to planned family style communities to rural country atmospheres. 90% of Ottawa is Rural, with vast amounts of green space all within close-proximity to the city centre.
Education
Ottawa is home to an ever-growing education system, offering top-tier education throughout the city. For primary, and secondary education, Ottawa has a variety of school options both in the public, and private sector. With a multitude of schools to choose from in every neighbourhood, you’ll have no trouble deciding which school is best for your children. Ottawa also is home to two major universities, The University of Ottawa (which is a bilingual university) located downtown, and Carleton University. Alongside these major universities are two major colleges, La Cité Collégiale, and Algonquin College.
Activities & Entertainment
Ottawa itself is known as a city of Festivals. With the downtown core being home to Canada’s Parliament buildings, there are a constant array of celebrations, lights, and festivals celebrating our city, and country’s unique diversity. From Winterlude, with the Rideau Canal open for skating, to the Tulip, Jazz, and Blues Festivals scattering across the springtime, Ottawa has a lot to see and do throughout the year. The city is home to a variety of museums and galleries, giving many opportunities for educational, history, and art.
Seasons
Unlike many other cities, Ottawa has 4 distinct seasons, each bringing with them their own activities and breathtaking views.
- Winter is a magical time of year in Ottawa, with the city being home to the largest Skateway in Canada, The Rideau Canal. Enjoy outdoor activities such as sledding, skating, and more, or curl up by a fire inside and watch as the snowflakes twirl past your windows.
- Spring: The first morning dew drops that signal spring are always an oasis across the city, regardless of how much love we have for our beautiful winters, the city begins to awake once more with the coming of spring. The natural wildlife across the city comes out to play, as the early tulip buds begin to bloom. Soon, blossoming magnolia trees, and tulips will fill the city’s green space, signaling spring is in full swing.
- Summer: Summertime across Ottawa is a hub of activity, with the ByWard Market being home to many restaurant patios, and street performers and musicians appearing downtown, filling the city centre with music. Summer in Ottawa can become sweltering hot, but lucky for us, Ottawa’s home to a few beaches, like Westboro and Moody’s Bay, where you can joyfully enjoy the sunshine.
- Autumn/Fall: The coming of fall sees a dramatic change in colours across Ottawa as the temperatures begin to drop once more. The mountains in Gatineau Park are lined with tangerine and scarlet trees, giving a fresh look of warmth across the city.
Ottawa is an affordable, family-friendly city, with plenty of greenspace, and activities for individuals of all ages. Ottawa holds a strong sense of community close to its’ heart, and the city has so much to offer from musical entertainment, to farmers markets, and much more. Whether you’re looking to settle down in our spacious neighbourhoods, with playgrounds and excellent schooling, or you’re coming in search of life downtown, with easy access to public transit and plenty of activities to choose from, Ottawa is the place to be in 2018.