Canada: City in Focus – Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is considered as the political center of Canada. Ottawa has a population of over 1 million individuals residing in its metropolitan area and has the most educated population among Canadian cities. Ottawa has at its center the Parliament Hill, with grand Victorian architecture and museums such as the National Gallery of Canada, with noted collections of indigenous and other Canadian art. It also boasts numerous post-secondary, research, and cultural institutions.

If you are looking to immigrate to Canada and are looking to settle, work, or study in Ottawa, this article will give you valuable insight and an overview of the city of Ottawa.

Location:

Ottawa is located in the east of southern Ontario, near the city of Montréal and the U.S. border. Sitting on the Ottawa River. It is about 400 Km from Toronto and 200 Km from Montreal.

Climate:

Ottawa has hot and humid summers as the temperatures exceed over 30 degrees Celsius for few days during summer. In winter, the city tends to get very cold with strong gusts of wind. Temperatures in winter may go even lower than -20 degrees Celsius for few days in a year.

Cost of Living:

Living in Ottawa is mildly affordable considering it as the capital of Canada. A one-bedroom apartment rent can cost you around $1,600 CAD in the city center and as around $800 CAD in other parts of the city. Ottawa has an average wage and average tax rates.

Transportation:

The transit system in Ottawa is efficient and is available easily as it runs with high frequency. The Transit system consists of a fleet of buses and light rail transit trains. Ottawa has many roads having bike lanes so cyclists can enjoy traffic-free commutes. A monthly travel pass would cost you around $100 CAD/month.

Overview:

There are a lot of pros and cons of the city of Ottawa, but it all depends on the immigrant’s preferences and financial situation.

The positives of living in Ottawa are:

Cheaper housing market compared to other cities. Highest individual income. Low crime rate. Cultural, sports, and outdoor activities. Important historical locations and reputed schools and colleges.

The negatives about living in Ottawa are:

Very hot and humid summer. Long winters during which the city gets very cold and snowy.  No city-wide light rail for fast traveling.