Would you recommend Ottawa as a city to move to?

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It really depends on what you're looking for. Other responders have mentioned that Ottawa is a government town and it certainly is that. However, it has a lot more to offer than just that. If you like being outdoors, then Ottawa is a fantastic place to live.

Do you enjoy outdoor hikes? Then Gatineau Park is a mere half hour drive from the city and it has hiking trails all over the place. It's the same for cross-country skiing, where the trails are patrolled, I might add.

Do you like skating? The Rideau Canal is open for FREE skating, usually from the end of December to mid-late February although even that depends entirely on the temperature.

Spring sees many sugar shacks open within a short drive and where you can buy genuine maple syrup. You can't beat that with a stick.

Summers are hot and humid and tourists from all over the world (literally) tend to congregate on Parliament Hill. Byward Market is always an exciting place to go, even in the winter.

Autumn sees the trees evolve into an artist's palette of flaming oranges, burning reds and ochres and bright yellows. Set against the endless and untainted blue skies it's as though the very air is infused with colour.

Do you have to speak/French in order to work in Ottawa? Not as such although it will certainly make you more desirable if you can. I should add that there are some jobs for which bilingualism is a must but employers will make that clear to prospective employees.

As for your other questions, again, it really depends on what you mean by night life. Does Ottawa have a good night life? Wander through Byward Market and see for yourself.

Good restaurants? The very best Vietnamese food I found is in a small place in the suburbs. The place is called "Pho Mi Bo Ga" and it's in a small strip mall.

rock on!!

I would recommend Ottawa for a place to live because used to live there and there are many places to go and things to do. You do not have to speak french because I have never spoken french and I lived there though it might help a little to learn french. It is also a small drive to other cute relaxing towns for short weekend get away. Its government does not take away the fun. Delicious food I love it.The streets are beautiful at night perfect for a night walk. all in all I think its a good place to move to.

tartu2222

I used to visit Ottawa often when I lived very near the US/Canadian border and I can only tell you that I think it's a fabulous city. It is a busy work place during the week as it is a government town, but the weekends are made for fun all year round.

Eric

Lived there for 22 years, great place.
Good nightlife and food as well. French is optional everywhere.

Allah Ackbar

You'd better own a car, because our transportation system is non-nonexistent.

Toxaphene

I currently live here, and it's a great city. A variety of things to do! I believe a previous poster listed many of the great things Ottawa has to offer. We have great festivals and celebrations in the summer too! Canada Day and the Tulip Festival are always fun. You should see all the people downtown on Canada Day! It's a madhouse!

Oh, and ignore the 'non-existant' transportation system comment. Our transit drivers WERE on strike, and they've finally agreed to binding arbitration, so things should be back in order in the next month or so.

Really, it's a city you've got to experience to understand how awesome it is. I went from a small town, and living there for 13 years, to Ottawa. It was easy to settle in, the transit system is easy to understand, and the people are genuinely nice for the most part!

I hope you decide to move here! :D

Dangermanmi6

I wouldn't recommend moving to Ottawa its called "the city that fun forgot" for a reason. The transportation sucks both public and highways. Yes there is/was a transit strike on but if you want to get somewhere in a hurry you had better have a car or take a taxi. I tried to get from where I was living to where I worked a 30 minute drive. If I took transit it was an hour and a half IF I made all the transfers, if I missed just one it almost doubled my commute.

If you want any government job you had better be French speaking and know some English because you won't get in with the feds or the city. Its even that way in the hospitals, my daughter was in for a scan and the doctor, nurse & tech all spoke french and ignored my partner who is an RN until she spoke up and made them speak in English.

Lastly the municipal government in Ottawa is stuck in the 60's thats 1860s I've lived in and around Ottawa for the past 25 or so years and every now and then the troop out these grand plans and hire a consultant to tell them how it is to be done and then the project is scrapped. The two latest ones are another bridge across the river to Quebec and the transit tunnel. Also this city has a no track mind they can't seem to get there collective s#$t together to put in a light rail system everything is done by bus.

No my friend if you are considering moving to Ottawa as a fun place to live I'd think again.

Brooke Lynne

It's clean and whatever but it's boring. You will kill you're self if you lived in a busy city or any place that has stuff to do. The only good things about ottawa is... Nothing. It sucks. They have some good restaurants but nothing great, and the only good restaurants are high end, shopping sucks my family and I have to go to montreal and the US every month and if you want to go to a good club your going to have to cross over to Quebec all the time. So if you do end up moving to Ottawa have fun going to Silver City every day to watch a movie. And if you want a good paying job yes you need french even though no one knows just french they know english too. And the government is screwed up big time. Oh and one more thing. Its freezing and it snows every half a second in the winter, and in the Summer its not really even hot until last year, in fall it rains a lot and its cold. Ottawa sucks, its stupid and junky. Do you're self a favor and don't move here.

ICE

DO NOT come to Ottawa. This city has the bunch of lazy government officials who take such a long time to solve problems! Screw Ottawa!

Peter M

its the gayest city on the planet! dont come here!!!

Jason T

I wouldn't move to Ottawa. I think people look very sad there. Move to the country. Fresh air and caring people. Depending on where you are.

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