Pros and Cons of Living in Ottawa
Last updated on Feb 16, 2025
Summary: The pros of living in Ottawa, Canada include its vibrant culture, excellent educational opportunities, and its close proximity to nature. Ottawa is home to a diverse population, with a variety of cultural events and festivals throughout the year. It is also home to some of the best universities in the country, making it an ideal place to pursue higher education. Additionally, Ottawa is surrounded by beautiful parks and trails, making it easy to explore the outdoors. The cons of living in Ottawa include its cold winters, high cost of living, and limited job opportunities. Ottawa experiences long, cold winters, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. This can make it difficult to enjoy outdoor activities during the winter months. Additionally, the cost of living in Ottawa is higher than the national average, making it difficult for some to afford. Finally, the job market in Ottawa is limited, with many positions requiring specialized skills or experience.
What are the pros and cons of living in Ottawa?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Ottawa responded:
"Expats and digital nomads living in Ottawa appreciate the city's vibrant culture, diverse population, and abundance of outdoor activities. They also enjoy the city's low cost of living, excellent public transportation system, and easy access to the rest of Canada and the United States. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the city's cold winters and lack of nightlife to be drawbacks," wrote one expat in Ottawa.
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What do expats in Ottawa appreciate most about the local culture?
"Expatriates in Ottawa appreciate the city's vibrant cultural scene, which includes a wide variety of festivals, events, and activities throughout the year. They also appreciate the city's diverse population, which brings together people from all over the world. Ottawa is also known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, which makes it easy for expats to settle in and feel at home. Additionally, expats appreciate the city's excellent public transportation system, which makes it easy to get around and explore the city. Finally, expats enjoy the city's natural beauty, with its many parks, trails, and outdoor activities," explained one expat.
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What do expats find most challenging?
"Expats in Ottawa often find the local culture to be quite different from what they are used to. The cold weather and long winters can be a challenge for those who are not used to it. Additionally, the local culture can be quite reserved and formal, which can be difficult for those who are used to more relaxed and informal social interactions. Furthermore, the language barrier can be a challenge for those who do not speak English or French, as these are the two main languages spoken in Ottawa. Finally, the cost of living in Ottawa can be quite high, making it difficult for expats to adjust to the local economy," said one expat in Ottawa.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.