Are you thinking of moving to Ottawa this year? Or maybe your move is already booked. Either way, it’s an exciting time to look at relocating to the nation’s capital. From the stable economy to lower cost of living and access to world-class amenities, Ottawa is becoming the no-brainer location for those looking for more affordability (when compared to Toronto/Vancouver).
Here are some base statistics on the city:
Population: 961,921
Average Price Of A Home: $486,000.00
Median Household Income: $91,510.05
Unemployment Rate: 6.6%
Crime Rate Per 100,000: 3,721.95
1. Steady Economy From Government Employment
As the nation’s capital, there is a steady and stable amount of government employment. Nearly one-in-three government employees call the Ottawa-Gatineau area home. This accounts for roughly ~140,000 jobs in the area. These jobs are not only in parliament either, they include military personnel and CSIS employees too.
2. Affordable Housing
When compared to other markets such as Vancouver or Toronto, Ottawa has a very affordable housing market. The average cost of a home in Ottawa is $486,000 (November 2019). Ottawa has had a pricing surge in real estate, however, it is still relatively affordable when compared to Toronto, where the average home is going for $840,000.
3. Did Someone say Cottage Weekend?
During summer there are few things Canadians love more than a weekend at the cottage–and for a good reason. The good news, when you move to Ottawa, you’ll be in close proximity to over 900 lakes.
4. Low Crime Rate
When compared to the rest of the country Ottawa has very little crime. The glaring statistic is that the severity of crimes committed in Ottawa is drastically lower than other major metro areas in the country.
Via Stats Canada
5. Tonnes of Green Space
Ottawa is home to some of the best parks in the nation, combined with scenic green spaces mixed in with parliament. According to the city’s website, the city has over “4,300 hectares of parkland at over 1,300 sites, including 2,000 play structure components.”
Here is a list of the popular parks located in the area:
- Andrew Haydon Park
- Britannia Park
- Claudette Cain Park
- Mooney’s Bay Beach and Park
- Stuemer Park – Petrie Island
- Walter Baker Park
With all of these reasons, it’s no surprise that Ottawa ranked #1 on our list of cities to move to in Ontario. And as an added bonus, you’ll be able to catch NHL hockey for a much cheaper price than in Toronto or Montreal. Go Sens, go!
If you’re considering moving to Ottawa and need some help, or would just like a no-hassle quote, be sure to fill out an estimate form by hitting the button below.
If you’re looking for more information on the city, be sure to read The Best Neighbourhoods in Ottawa next.
