Canada's Capital
As Canada’s fourth-largest city, Ottawa supplies an enviable food scene, rich diversity, vibrant festivals, top notch schools, safe neighbourhoods, economic stability, and affordable real estate.
Food, Culture, Festivals
If it is culture you are looking for, then Ottawa has it all. With 60 every year, there is always a festival going on, including Bluesfest (hint: it’s not just blues), Winterlude, Capital Pride, Ottawa Beer Fest, Ottawa International Jazz Festival, and even a cheese curd festival.
Ottawa's culinary scene celebrates the city's diversity. There is a restaurant for every palate and budget.
With the highest concentration of museums in Canada, Ottawa offers the National Gallery, the Canadian War Museum, and the Canada Science and Technology Museum, just to name a few. Home to some of Canada’s finest historical sites, Ottawa is also where you’ll find Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Queen’s representative in Canada, and the Parliament buildings, Canada’s seat of government.
Outdoor living
Outdoor adventures and wilderness activities are at your doorstep. If it is a healthy lifestyle you seek, you will feel right at home with Ottawa’s parks, bike routes, forests, waterways, and open spaces. There are 532-square-kilometres of green space surrounding the urban core, while some of the area’s best beaches, golf courses, ski hills, and white water rafting spots are only minutes away. And in the wintertime, the Rideau Canal transforms into the world’s longest skating rink.
Affordable housing
Located west of downtown, QCH is found equally close to an urban lifestyle as to country living and recreation. Housing is within easy reach for average income earners. The average median price for a single-family home in Ottawa is $501,200, considerably lower than Toronto’s $806,755, Vancouver’s $1.2 million, and San Francisco’s $1.6 million.
Ottawa’s salaries outpace other major Canadian cities and everyday expenses are slightly lower than average, making the city one of Canada’s most affordable major centres. Source: Invest Ottawa.
Homes for sale
Home rentals
High quality of living
Ottawa ranked 19th of 231 cities worldwide on Mercer’s 2019 Quality of Living Survey. Canadian Business magazine called Ottawa Canada’s best place to live based on incomes, car ownership, employment rates, housing, weather, and lifestyle. The Conference Board of Canada gave the capital high marks for welcoming newcomers.
Get to know your city: