MoneySense has just named Ottawa as the second-best place to live in Canada (Boucherville just outside of Montreal topped the list). They cite high-paying jobs and reduction in the crime rate over the last several years and they quote several studies and surveys. What is it that makes Ottawa such a great place to live?
Perfect Size
Ottawa is a fabulous city, with a little under one million residents. It is large enough to draw quality entertainment, music, sports, and theatre, and yet small enough that you can access outdoor activities in both Ontario and Quebec relatively quickly.
Recreation
The Gatineau Hills are a wonderful place to bike, hike, snowshoe, and cross-country ski. There are even plenty of downhill ski facilities for beginners and experts alike. Golfers are also well represented in Ottawa and around the greater Capital area.
Winter & Summer
The Rideau Canal is a jewel that welcomes visitors all year long. From the depths of winter you can skate along its length, a little over seven kilometres one way, and enjoy a hot chocolate, a beavertail or snow taffy. Winterlude is a magical festival that includes an ice-carving competition with ice-carvers from around the world. In the summer you can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats at Dow’s Lake and float along the water enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Sports City
If you have finished your outside play, you can enjoy a variety of venues to cheer on local professional and semi-professional teams including the Ottawa Senators who play at Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata. The Ottawa 67’s play junior hockey, CFL football is represented by the Ottawa RedBlacks, and soccer fans can come out and watch the Ottawa Fury FC at the newly renovated and re-developed Lansdowne Park.
Music & Art
The Arts are alive in Ottawa. We have world-class museums, house the National Art Gallery, there are music festivals to appeal to a wide variety of tastes.
Healthcare
If you need healthcare, we have a renowned Heart Institute. CHEO is our regional children’s hospital and the Ottawa Hospital has several campuses around town that cater to our healthcare issues.
House Prices
According to the Canadian Real Estate Association, the average house price in Ottawa in April 2015 was $365,897 while Toronto boasts an average house price of $608,028. Imagine what you can do with that extra money in your pocket?
Ottawa is a great place to live, a great place to invest in and a great place to call home. If you’re ready to make the move, contact Ottawa real estate agents like Molly & Claude.
